The now commonly-used English idiom “a law unto themselves” (meaning someone who does whatever they desire, ignoring the rules and regulations) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling a lawe vnto them selve). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 282)
In Russian, this phrase (они сами себе закон — oni sami sebe zakon) is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 73)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
See also they are a law to themselves.
The now commonly-used English idiom “render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s” (for when something needs to be given to government, usually money) was first coined in 1582 in the Douay Rheims Version (spelled as render therefore vnto Cesar, the things which are Cesars). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 271)
In Russian, this phrase (Итак отдавайте кесарю кесарево — Itak otdavayte kesaryu kesarevo) — quoted from the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876) — is also widely used as an idiom and often used in the form of lexical substitutions. All adaptations use the same syntax, but substitute the second part by another pair (often rhyming with the first); thus: кесарю – кесарево, а слесарю – слесарево (kesaryu – kesarevo, a slesaryu – slesarevo) — “render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and to the plumber the things which are plumber’s” etc. (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 20)
In French, the phrase rendez à César ce qui est à César is likewise used as an idiom. (Source: Muller 1991, p. 27)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “den of lions” (for a dangerous situation) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 275)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “in the twinkling of an eye” (meaning immediately) was first coined in 1382 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling in the twynklyng of an iye). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 290)
In Russian, this phrase (в мгновение ока — v mgnoveniye oka) is also widely-used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 47f.)
In German, the term “Augenblick” (“glance of an eye”) already was used in the meaning of “momentarily” by the time of Luther’s Bible translation and is used here as well.
The now commonly-used English idiom “the powers that be” (meaning the people who decide what is allowed or acceptable) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. In Tyndale it appears in Romans 13:2 but refers to exousia ousai in verse 13:1. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 282)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “land of Nod” (for the state of sleep or falling asleep) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 272)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “the blind lead the blind” (as in when an inexperienced person is guiding someone a person who is equally inexperienced) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling the blynde leede the blynde). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 285)
In Russian, this phrase (Если слепой ведет слепого — Yesli slepoy vedet slepogo) is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 12)
For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “man cannot live by bread alone” (meaning people need more than material things to truly live) was first coined in 1582 in the Douay Rheims Version (in the spelling Man shall not liue by bread alone). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 275)
In Russian, this phrase (He одним хлебом живет человек — Ne odnim khlebom zhivet chelovek) is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 14)
In German the idiom Der Mensch lebt nicht vom Brot allein, is today often used as a way to express that only bread is not enough as food (Der Mensch lebt nicht vom Brot allein, es kann auch Wurst und Käse sein — “one does not live by bread alone, meat and cheese are also welcome”). It was coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
