Günther, Hartmut. Mit Feuereifer und Herzenslust – Wie Luther unsere Sprache prägte. Berlin: Duden, 2017.
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)
The now commonly-used German idiom wer Wind sät, wird Sturm ernten (literally “whoever sows wind will reap a storm”), was originally not used exactly like that by Luther (he used wer Wind sät, wird Sturm ernten or “whoever sows wind will reap bad weather”) but is now used in its common form in many modern Bible translations, including the Luther Bible, starting in 1964. Today it’s used both as a threat and as a warning. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 114)
In Russian, the phrase is also widely used as an idiom. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 79)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German expression friedfertig, which today is used for someone who is interested in a peaceful coexistence (literally “ready for peace”), was first coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. This has now been changed in the current edition of Luther’s translation (publ. 2017) to Frieden stiften — “make peace,” thus giving it a more proactive meaning in modern language use. In James 3:17, however, eirénikos (“peaceable” or “peaceful” in English) was translated as friedfertig starting with the 1984 revision. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 69)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German term Bluthund for a bloodthirsty or ravenous person (literally “bloodhound”) was made poular with that meaning in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 53)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The German idiom Zunge im Zaum halten (literally “keep the tongue in bridle”), which today is widely-used with the meaning of not saying more than necessary, was coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 121) It is also used by virtually all modern German Bible translations.
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German idiom Mördergrube (literally “murderers’ pit”), which today is primarily used in the expression “aus seinem Herzen keine Mördergrube machen” or “to speak freely” (literally: “don’t turn your heart into a murderers pit”), was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. Note that from the 1956 the Luther Bible edition on forward, this was replaced with the more correct Räuberhöhle. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German idiom niemand kann zwei Herren dienen (“No one can serve two masters”), primarily referring to the fact that one cannot serve financial interests and some higher goals, was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 96)
In Russian, the phrase Никто не может служить двум господам (Nikto ne mozhet sluzhit’ dvum gospodam) is also widely used in many variations as an idiom in every-day life. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 79)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.