In the September issue of the Tidings we reflected on how many contemporary phrases have their origins in Scripture, particularly in the King James Version of 1611. We laid out the invitation for you to add to our list. Wow, did you people ever come through! So, now, we are printing an updated list (including the ones from the previous article). Refresh your memory and enjoy the additions...
Several of you mentioned how speeches and writings make references to the Bible. We have frequently heard: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Is. 2:4) And, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address contains many biblical references. The gate at Harvard University has an inscription “open ye the gates that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.” (Is. 26:2) The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia reads “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof.” (Lev. 25:10)
“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 that sound 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. (Is. 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….” (Gen. 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 17th century King James Authorized Version.
How many of these do you recognize? Perhaps you can think of many more.
“That’s a Shibboleth” (Jud. 12:6)
“He guarded him as the apple of his eye” (Deut. 32:10)
“I have escaped with the skin of my teeth” (Job 19:20)
“My cup runneth over.” (Ps. 23:5)
“…dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Ps. 84:10)
“There is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9)
“…A fly in the ointment.” (Ecc. 10:1)
“Land of the living.” (Is. 53:8)
“The handwriting is on the wall” (Dan. 5)
“You are the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13)
“On the straight and narrow” (Matt. 7:13)
“They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind…” (Matt. 15:14)
“Wash my hands of this” (Matt. 27:24)
“A good Samaritan” (Lk. 10:33)
“He saw the light.” (Acts 9)
“In the twinkling of an eye.” (I Cor. 15:52)
“A man reaps what he sows” (Gal. 6:7)
“Labor of love” (I Thess. 1:3)
Look up these to understand their richness in their original setting. Scriptural references run deep into the roots of our culture.
The Bible—and the King James Version in particular—is a treasure trove for speech writers. This being the 400th anniversary of the King James Version, we can celebrate how frequently it is still referenced in our literature, in prominent speeches, and on our monuments. When you come across a quotation from the Bible, feel free to point this out the phrase origin to someone. This might become a springboard for further discussion.
~Dan F. Bloem