The now commonly-used German idiom im Dunkeln tappen for being in the dark, missing facts about something and not being able to understand completely or at all (literally meaning to grope [and toddle] in the dark) was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 59)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
Note that the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) uses this wording in John 12:35.
The now commonly-used German term Richtschnur or “guideline,” was made popular in 1534 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther in the meaning of “divine measurement / measuring line.” (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The Greek that is translated as “weeping and gnashing of teeth” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with heulen und vor Schmerz mit den Zähnen klappern or “weep and chatter teeth in pain.”
Also in German, the idiom Heulen und Zähneklappern (originally: Heulen und Zähneklappen), which today is used to express anger and outrage, often in a humorous context (literally “weeping and chattering of teeth”), was first coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 79)
In Russian, this phrase (Плач и скрежет зубов — Plach i skrezhet zubov) is also widely-used as an idiom, although less often in a humorous content. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 45)
In French, the phrase pleurs et des grincements de dents is likewise used as an idiom. (Source: Muller 1991, p. 16)
The now commonly-used German term Rüstzeug (lit. “things to equip”), which today stands for the ability or experience to perform a certain task, was first used in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther (eventually to be replace in the 1984 edition with Instrument). (Source: Günther 2017, p. 103)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “stumbling-stone” or “stone that makes them stumble” in English had to be translated carefully in Chol. John Beekman (in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 180ff. ) explains: “When translating for the Chols, the translator was aware that the phrase ‘stone of stumbling’ could refer to a specific stone found on the trail to the town of Ococingo, Chiapas, Mexico. Those who came to this rock with aching muscles from long hours of weary walking with heavy loads believed that by striking their foot against this rock they would be strengthened for the remainder of the trip and would not stumble along the way. It therefore became important to translate these two passages avoiding any ambiguity as to whether this rock prevented or occasioned stumbling.”
The now commonly-used German idiom Stein des Anstoßes (literally “stumbling-stone”) was coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. It is now widely used as “bone of contention” or “stumbling block.” (Source: Günther 2017, p. 108) For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
In Latvian, the phrase piedauzības akmens or “stone of abuse” has become part of the standard lexicon with the meaning of “disgrace,” goes back to the 1682 New Testament translation by Ernst Glück (source: Pēteris Vanags in Glück’s landmark translation of the Bible into Latvian ).
The now commonly-used German idiom auf Sand gebaut (literally “built on sand”), meaning “built on shifting sand” or “make bricks without straw,” was first coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther.
The French expression “bâtir sur le sable” with the same meaning is also commonly-used today and originates in French Bible translation. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 104)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German term Schandfleck (literally “stain of shame”) was coined popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 105)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used English idiom “pearls before swine” (meaning something valuable presented to someone who doesn’t recognize its worth) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale (in the spelling (cast ye youre) pearles before swyne) (source: Crystal 2010, p. 286). Likewise The now commonly-used German idiom Perlen vor die Säue werfen was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther (source: Günther 2017, p. 90).
In Russian, this phrase (Не мечите бисер перед свиньями — Ne mechite biser pered svin’yami) 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)
