You would be amazed just how much. When you look into the matter sincerely you will discover that this is a very good thing. Here are found some references to common sayings found in the English language that possibly originate from Scripture.
The phrase or saying existed and was used at the time of original authorship. At this stage this is more likely where it occurs in both the NIV and KJV since they were translated and published over 360 years apart each having originated from texts sourced from different geographical localities among the early Church. We should also keep in mind that the translators of the NIV made reference to the KJV. An example of this may be the phrase “can the leopard change its spots?”.
The phrase or saying was used at the time of English translation. This is more likely were it occurs in the NIV only though it is still a possibility that the phrase or saying existed as such at the time of original authorship but was not translated as such in the KJV and then later done so in the NIV. An example of this may be the phrase “cut the ground from under” or to “undercut” someone.
The phrase though not an expression at the time of original authorship has been used as a saying/phrase in modern times because of the Scripture passage’s recent influence on the expression of modern English. Examples of this may be the phases “no rest for the wicked” or “standing at the crossroads”.
KJV refers to the King James Version, an English translation of the Scriptures first published approx 400 years ago in A.D.1611. Whereas
NIV refers to the New International Version (original), an English translation first published in A.D. 1973.
| Saying or Phrase |
KJV or NIV |
References |
| A drop in a bucket |
Both |
Isaiah 40:15 |
| A little bird told me |
Both |
Ecclesiastes 10:20 |
| A man after my own heart |
Both |
1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22 |
| All in all |
Both |
1 Corinthians 15:28, (1 Corinthians 12:6, Ephesians 1:23 of KJV) |
| Apple of my eye |
Both |
Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 17:8, Proverbs, 7:2, Zechariah 2:8, (Lamentations 2:18 KJV) |
| Ashes to ashes, dust to dust |
Both |
Genesis 3:19 |
| Blind leading the blind |
Both |
Matthew 15:14, Luke 6:39 |
| Busybody |
Both |
2 Thessalonians 3:11 |
| By and by |
KJV |
Matthew 13:21, Mark 6:25, Luke 17:7 & 21:9 |
| Can the leopard change it's spots ? |
Both |
Jeremiah 13:23 |
| Cannot tell their right hand from their left |
Both |
Jonah 4:11 |
| Cast / throw the first stone |
Both |
John 8:7 |
| Come what may |
Both |
Job 13:13 (though more clearly inferred from the NIV) |
| Count the cost |
Both |
Luke 14:28 |
| Cut the ground from under (undercut ?) |
NIV |
2 Corinthians 11:12 |
| Divide and conquer |
Both |
Matthew 12:25 |
| Do as I say not as I do |
Both |
Matthew 23:3 |
| Eat drink and be merry |
Both |
Ecclesiastes 8:15, Isaiah 22:13, Luke 12:19,
1 Corinthians 15:32 |
| Eye for an eye |
Both |
Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21,
Matthew 5:38.
If you do one thing in life; read Matthew Chapter 5. |
| Fleet-footed |
NIV |
2 Samuel 2:18 |
| Fight the good fight |
Both |
1 Timothy 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7 |
| Go the extra mile |
Both |
Matthew 5:41 |
| God as my witness |
Both |
Romans 1:9, (2 Corinthians 1:23 NIV), 1 Thessalonians 2:5 |
| Great pomp |
Both |
Acts 25:23 |
| Head on a platter |
NIV |
Matthew 14:8-11, Mark 6:25-28, KJV similar |
| Held a grudge |
NIV |
Genesis 27:41 |
| How the mighty have fallen |
Both |
2 Samuel 1:19 |
| Honour to whom honour is due |
Both |
Romans 13:7 |
| Keep the faith |
Both |
2 Timothy 4:7 |
| Knocking knees (from fear) |
Both |
Daniel 5:6 |
| Lash of the tongue |
NIV |
Job 5:21 though the KJV implies similar |
| Like mother like daughter |
Both |
Ezekiel 16:44 |
| Live by the sword, die by the sword |
Both |
Matthew 26:52 |
| Long live the King / God save the King |
Both |
1 Samuel 10:24, 2 Samuel 16:16, 2 Kings 11:12,
2 Chronicles 23:11 |
| Long winded |
NIV |
Job 16:3 |
| Make your ears tingle |
Both |
1 Samuel 3:11, 2 Kings 21:12, Jeremiah 19:3 |
| Mark my words |
NIV |
1 kings 22:28, 2 Chronicles 18:27, Galatians 5:2 |
| My brother's keeper |
Both |
Genesis 4:9 - See Note 2 |
| No rest for the wicked |
Both |
Isaiah 48:22 & 57:21 |
| Not one iota |
KJV |
Matthew 5:18 |
| Nothing but skin and bones |
NIV |
Job 19:20 |
| Old wives tales |
Both |
1 Timothy 4:7 |
| Practice what you preach |
NIV |
Matthew 23:3 though clear inference with the KJV |
| Prepare to meet your maker |
Both |
Amos 4:12 Since God is the Creator of all things |
| Pride goes before a fall |
Both |
Proverbs 16:18 |
| Rear guard |
NIV |
Numbers 10:25 |
| Ring leader |
Both |
Acts 24:5 |
| Rise and shine |
Both |
Isaiah 60:1 |
| Safe and sound |
Both |
Luke 15:27 |
| Saw the writing on the wall |
Both |
Daniel Chapter 5. |
| Scapegoat |
Both |
Leviticus 16:8-26 |
| Scum of the earth |
NIV |
1 Corinthians 4:13, KJV similar. Note also Lamentations 3:45 |
| Set my teeth on edge |
Both |
Jeremiah 31:29 & 30 and Ezekiel 18:2 |
| Seek and ye shall find |
Both |
Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9 |
| Sheep to the slaughter |
Both |
Acts 8:32, Romans 8:36 |
| Skin of my teeth |
Both |
Job 19:20 |
| Sour grapes |
Both |
Jeremiah 31:29 - 30, Ezekiel 18:2 |
| Sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind |
Both |
Hosea 8:7 |
| Straight and Narrow |
KJV |
Matthew 7:14, similar in NIV |
| Standing at the crossroads |
NIV |
Jeremiah 6:16 |
| Standing in the gap |
Both |
Psalm 106:23, Ezekiel 22:30 “Breach” and “gap” mean the same |
| Stranger in a strange land |
KJV |
Exodus 2:22 NIV uses “alien” instead of “stranger” |
| Stumbling block |
Both |
Leviticus 19:14, Ezekial 14:4, Romans 14:13 & many others |
| Take me for a fool |
Both |
2 Corinthians 11:16 |
| The eleventh hour |
Both |
Matthew 20:9 |
| The light of day |
NIV |
Job 3:16 |
| The tables have turned |
NIV |
Esther 9:1 |
| The truth will set you free |
Both |
John 8:32 |
| There is a time & place for everything |
Both |
Ecclesiastes 3:1 |
| There is nothing new under the sun |
Both |
Ecclesiastes 1:9 "under the sun" frequently in this book |
| Thorn in my side / Thorn in the flesh |
Both |
(Numbers 33:55 NIV), Judges 2:3, 2 Corinthians 12:7 |
| To face your accusers |
Both |
Acts 25:16 |
| Took him at his word |
NIV |
John 4:50 |
| Took him to task |
NIV |
Gen 31:36 |
| Turn the other cheek |
Both |
Matthew 5:39, Luke 6:29 |
| Twinkling of an eye |
Both |
1 Corinthians 15:52 |
| United we stand, divided we fall |
Both |
Matthew 12:25 |
| Waters gone by |
NIV |
Job 11:16 similar in KJV |
| Where O' death is your victory/sting |
Both |
1 Corinthians 15:55, Hosea 13:14 (Can you truly say this ?) |
| With you in spirit |
Both |
1 Corinthians 5:3-4, Colossians 2:5 |
| Wit's end |
Both |
Psalm 107:27 |
| Words failed them |
NIV |
Job 32:15 |
| You and yours |
NIV |
Genesis 20:7 |