How many common phrases are found in the Bible?
In our everyday language, we pick up idioms, parts of speech, and phrases that become part of our everyday conversation. What many people do not realize is that many of these commonly used sayings actually come from the Bible. The following are 60 everyday expressions that are used, which can be found in Scripture.
60 everyday expressions from the Scriptures
| The apple of His eye | Psalms 17:8 |
| Cast thy bread upon the waters | Ecclesiastes 11:1 |
| A good old age | Genesis 15:15 |
| Living fountains of water | Jeremiah 2:13 |
| The wife of thy bosom | Deuteronomy 13:6 |
| The valley of decision | Joel 3:14 |
| A still small voice | 1 Kings 19:12 |
| Miserable comforters | Job 16:2 |
| The pride of life | 1 John 2:16 |
| From strength to strength | Psalms 84:7 |
| The little foxes that spoil the vines |
Song of Solomon 2:15 |
| Precept upon precept, line upon line |
Isaiah 28:10,13 |
| A drop in the bucket | Isaiah 40:15 |
| The salt of the earth | Matthew 5:13 |
| The burden and heat of the day | Matthew 20:12 |
| The signs of the times | Matthew 16:3 |
| The children of light | Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5 |
| The powers that be | Romans 13:1 |
| The fashion of this world | 1 Corinthians 7:31 |
| Decently and in order | 1 Corinthians 14:40 |
| A thorn in the flesh | 2 Corinthians 12:7 |
| A cloud of witnesses | Hebrews 12:1 |
| A crown of life | James 1:12; Revelation 2:10 |
| A labor of love | 1 Thessalonians 1:3 |
| Hewers of wood and drawers of water | Joshua 9:21 |
| Thou are the man (You da man!) | 2 Samuel 12:7 |
| Prisoners of hope | Zechariah 9:12 |
| Lesser light | Genesis 1:16 |
| The handwriting on the wall | Daniel 5:5 |
| Faithful unto death | Revelation 2:10 |
| A mess of pottage | Genesis 25:29; 2 Samuel 11:8 |
| The mantle of Elijah | 2 Kings 2:8 |
| The widow’s mite | Mark 12:42 |
| The highways and hedges | Luke 14:23 |
| A pearl of great price | Matthew 13:46 |
| Clear shining after rain | 2 Samuel 23:4 |
| Stand in awe | Psalms 4:4; Psalms 33:8; Psalms 119:161 |
| The day is at hand | Romans 13:12 |
| Joy cometh in the morning | Psalms 30:5 |
| Clear as crystal | Revelation 21:11; Revelation 22:1 |
| Hip and thigh | Judges 15:8 |
| We are the people | Psalms 95:7 |
| The fat of the land | Genesis 45:18 |
| The four winds of heaven | Daniel 8:8; Daniel 11:4 |
| The end is not yet | Matthew 24:6 |
| A book of remembrance | Malachi 3:16 |
| The laborer is worthy of his hire | Luke 10:7 |
| Whited sepulchers | Matthew 23:27 |
| Righteous overmuch | Ecclesiastes 7:16 |
| Not gather figs of thistles | Matthew 7:16 |
| Entertain angels unawares | Hebrews 13:2 |
| The wings of the morning | Psalms 139:9 |
| Tell it not in Gath | 2 Samuel 1:20 |
| All things to all men | 1 Corinthians 9:22 |
| A howling wilderness | Deuteronomy 32:10 |
| You don’t work you don’t eat | 2 Thessalonians 3:10 |
| Red sky at night sailor’s delight | Matthew 16:2 |
| Red sky at morning sailor’s warning | Matthew 16:3 |
| Kick against the pricks | Acts 9:5; Acts 26:14 |
| The love of money is the root of all evil | 1 Timothy 6:10 |
15 more common phrases from the Bible
| Am I my brother’s keeper? | Genesis 4:9 |
| As old as Methuselah | Genesis 5:25-27 |
| An eye for an eye | Exodus 21:23-25 |
| Scapegoat | Leviticus 16:110 |
| Man does not live by bread alone | Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4 |
| Put words in my mouth | 2 Samuel 14:3 |
| The skin of my teeth | Job 19:20 |
| Bite the dust | Psalms 72:9 |
| At my wit’s end | Psalms 107:27 |
| Eat, drink, and be merry | Ecclesiastes 8:15; Luke 12:19 |
| A little birdie told me | Ecclesiastes 10:20 |
| No rest for the wicked | Isaiah 57:21 |
| Rise and shine | Isaiah 60:1 |
| Can a leopard change his spots? | Jeremiah 13:23 |
| Go the extra mile | Matthew 5:41 |
Final Thoughts
While these are only 75 common phrases, there are certainly more that can be found. The important thing to realize is that the Word of God permeates not only our language, but everything else from art, architecture, science, physics to even the customs we observe. If you can think of one not mentioned, share it in the comments below. Blessings to you as you seek Him in and His influence in your life.
Thank You.
Blessings Shaun, we pray that His Word gives you peace and are reminded of Him when you hear references to Him in everyday conversation.