“Well, I saw the handwriting on the wall.” Haven’t you often thought, I wonder where I’ve heard that line? In the English language... whether written or spoken, we often come across familiar phrases. And, we sometimes muse: Now, that phrase sounds familiar. Where did it originate? Most likely we know the intent or the meaning because it’s in context and, well, it is used so often. Most often a common phrase comes either from early translations of the English-language Bible or from the writings of William Shakespeare. And, further investigation shows that even many of Shakespeare’s phrases were adapted from the Scriptures. But, we may wonder what exactly does such a phrase mean? To better understand it, we wish that we could find it in the original.

Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech of 1963 is replete with biblical references now familiar to many of us. One example, “One day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” This is a quote from the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 40:4) He also included the resounding words: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” which is a quote from the Old Testament prophet Amos. (Amos 5:24) And, King included references such as “We have not yet reached the promised land….” (Genesis 13:14-15)

Other phrases freely sprinkled through speeches and writings are also familiar to those of us acquainted with the Scriptures. And, often they are from the early 17^th century King James Authorized Version.

How many of these do you recognize? Perhaps you can think of many more.

“That’s a Shibboleth” (Judges 12:6)

“He guarded him as the apple of his eye”

(Deuteronomy 32:10)

“I have escaped with the skin of my teeth”

(Job 19:20)

“My cup runneth over.” (Psalm 23:5)

“There is nothing new under the sun”

(Ecclesiastes 1:9)

“…A fly in the ointment.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

“The handwriting is on the wall” (Daniel 5)

“You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13)

“On the straight and narrow” (Matthew 7:13)

“They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind…” (Matthew 15:14)

“A good Samaritan” (Luke 10:33)

“He saw the light.” (Acts 9)

“In the twinkling of an eye.” (I Corinthians 15:52)

“A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7)

Look up these to understand their richness in their original setting. How many more can you discover? Feel free to send any additional contemporary phrases with Bible origins to the attention of the Tidings staff at the church office. ~Dan F. Bloem