The now commonly-used German idiom Maul halten, which today is a coarse way of saying “be quiet” (literally “hold one’s [animal-like] mouth”), was made popular in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. Note that from the 1956 of the Luther Bible edition on forward, this was replaced with the equally colloquial but less coarse Mund halten (literally “hold one’s mouth”). (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 Worte auf der Goldwaage wägen, meaning to be overcautious about the meaning of each word or to take everything literally (literal meaning: “to weigh everything on the gold scale”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 73)
The latest edition of the Bible translation by Luther has changed this in Sirach 28:25 to auf die Goldwaage legen (“put everything on the gold scale”), which is another common way of saying the same thing. In Sirach 21:25, where Luther originally used the same expression (for what is translated in English as “words are weighed in the balance”), the latest revision uses Worte im Zaum halten or “keep words in check” (literally: “bridle words”).
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German ídiom ein Buch mit sieben Siegeln for something that is very difficult to understand (literally meaning a book with seven seals) was first coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 55)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German expression Hände in Unschuld waschen, which today is used by someone who wants to express that they have nothing to do with something negative (literally “wash hands in innocence”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 74)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
See also I wash my hands in innocence (image) and Pilate saw that he could do nothing and he took some water and washed his hands (image).
The now commonly-used German idiom Dorn im Auge for something that is unbearable for someone (literally “a thorn in the eye”) was popularized in 1535 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 58)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German expression Herz ausschütten, which today is used by someone who wants to communicate their deepest feeling and thoughts in great confidence (literally “pour out one’s heart”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 76)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
