God forbid

The now commonly-used English idiom “God forbid” was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 273)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

fight the good fight

The now commonly-used English idiom “fight the good fight” (meaning to act in a way that is virtuous or honorable) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling fyght ye good fyght). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 286)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

eat𖺗 drink𖺗 and be merry

The now commonly-used English idiom “eat, drink, and be merry” (meaning enjoy yourselves and also not to give any thought to the future, because life is short) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 277)

In Russian, this phrase (ешь, пей и веселись / yesh’, pey i veselis’) is also widely-used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 41)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

at one's wit's end

The now commonly-used English idiom “at one’s wit’s end” (meaning at the limits of one’s mental resources) was first coined in 1535 in the English translation by Miles Coverdale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 300)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

how are the mighty fallen

The now commonly-used English idiom “how are the mighty fallen” (for the decline of someone or something that used to be very successful, powerful, and important) was first coined in 1611 in the King James Version/Authorized Version (spelled as how are the mightie fallen) in 2 Samuel 1:19. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 263)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

two-edged sword

The Greek, Hebrew and Ge’ez that is translated as “two-edged sword” in English is translated in Alekano as “like a knife that is sharp at its mouth and its back” (source: Larson 1998, p. 170) and in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) as “the sharpest knife.”

The now commonly-used English idiom “two-edged sword” (meaning something that offers both a good and bad consequence) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 279)

Other languages that use this phrase idiomatically, include:

  • Spanish: espada de doble filo
  • French: épée à double tranchant
  • German: zweischneidiges Schwert
  • Italian: spada a doppio taglio
  • Portuguese: espada de dois gumes
  • Russian: обоюдоострый меч (oboyudoostryy mech) or двуострый меч (dvuostryy mech)
  • Czech: dvojsečná zbraň
  • Polish: miecz obosieczny

See also sword.

take root

The now commonly-used English idiom “take root” (for becoming firmly fixed or established) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible (in the spelling take roote). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 274)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

kill the fatted calf

The now commonly-used English idiom “kill the fatted calf” (meaning having a celebration for someone who’s been away a long time) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 277)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

See also fattened calf and fatted cattle.