That's In The Bible? illustrates the significant impact the Bible has had on our everyday conversational language. Throughout history, written and verbal language has been seasoned with hundreds of colorful expressions lifted directly from its pages. This is no less true in our modern language - newspapers unknowingly use catchy phrases as headlines that are actually derived from biblical texts. Advertisers lure customers with limited time offers, such as "Don't Miss the Boat!" - a direct reference to Noah and the Ark. And people use familiar colloquial expressions casually in everyday speech perhaps without even being aware of the fact that they are using an expression originally penned in Scripture.

This book explores many such phrases - everyday expressions - voiced from the corporate boardroom to the schoolyard playground. Each phrase is traced to its original biblical roots. The study of word and phrase origins is known as etymology - from the Greek words etymon meaning "true sense" and logos meaning "word". This book presents the "true sense" of the word and promotes Bible discovery, readership, and witnessing. It is intended to illustrate the Bible as a genuinely user-friendly resource.

That's In The Bible?

Scripture's User-Friendly Impact on Everyday ConversationBy William D. Mayo

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 William D. Mayo
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4634-7437-9

Contents

Introduction................................................................xiApple of My Eye.............................................................1At the Eleventh Hour........................................................3At Wit's End................................................................5Basket Case.................................................................7Birds of a Feather..........................................................9Broke the Law...............................................................11Blind Leading the Blind.....................................................13Burning the Midnight Oil....................................................15Caught in the Act...........................................................17Caught Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea..............................19Crystal Clear...............................................................21Come Out of the Closet......................................................23Can't Take it with You......................................................25Days Are Numbered...........................................................28Do as I Say, Not as I Do....................................................30Drop in the Bucket..........................................................32Down to Brass Tacks.........................................................34Down to the Last Iota Fits to a T...........................................36Don't Look Back.............................................................38Double-Edged Sword Two-Edged Sword..........................................40Dead to the World...........................................................42Don't Wear Out Your Welcome.................................................44An Eye for an Eye...........................................................46Earmarked...................................................................48Eat 'Til It Comes Out of Your Nose..........................................50The Error of His Ways.......................................................52Feet of Clay................................................................54Fuel the Fire...............................................................57Fly in the Ointment.........................................................58Forbidden Fruit.............................................................60Give Credit Where Credit Is Due.............................................62Going to the Dogs...........................................................64Go the Extra Mile...........................................................66Gut Feeling.................................................................67Give Up the Ghost...........................................................69Grace Period................................................................70He Really Thinks He's Something.............................................72Hold My Tongue/Hold Your Tongue.............................................74If You Play with Fire, You're Gonna Get Burned..............................76Ivory Tower/Ivory Palace....................................................78In the Twinkling of an Eye..................................................80Just Reward.................................................................82Kiss His Feet...............................................................86Love Is Blind...............................................................88Laughter Is the Best Medicine...............................................90A Little Birdie Told Me.....................................................91A Leopard Doesn't Change Its Spots..........................................93Led Down the Garden Path....................................................95Live Off the Fat of the Land................................................97The Left Hand Doesn't Know What the Right Hand Is Doing.....................99Land of Milk and Honey......................................................101The Letter of the Law.......................................................103Lip Service.................................................................105Miss the Boat...............................................................107Man of Few Words............................................................109Made Light of It............................................................110My Two Cents................................................................112Not Fit for Man or Beast....................................................114Once and for All............................................................116Out of the Mouths of Babes..................................................118Pulled It Out of the Fire...................................................120Peter Out...................................................................122The Powers That Be..........................................................124From Pillar to Post.........................................................126Put Words in My Mouth.......................................................128Practice What You Preach....................................................133Raise Cain..................................................................135Rise and Shine..............................................................137Reap What You Sow...........................................................139Sparks Are Gonna Fly........................................................141Straight and Narrow.........................................................143Seeing Is Believing.........................................................145Saved the Best for Last.....................................................147See Eye to Eye..............................................................149Stand and Face the Music....................................................151Scapegoat...................................................................153Stinks to High Heaven.......................................................155Set Your House in Order.....................................................157Spittin' Image..............................................................159Safety in Numbers...........................................................161Salt of the Earth...........................................................162Sign of the Times...........................................................164Skin of My Teeth............................................................166Sweat Blood.................................................................168Send a Boy to Do a Man's Job................................................170Toss Him to the Lions.......................................................172Thorn in My Side............................................................174Took Me under His Wing......................................................176Turn the Other Cheek........................................................178Time and Place for Everything...............................................179Thick Skinned...............................................................181Turned the Tables...........................................................183Ten Times Better............................................................185Turn the World Upside Down..................................................187Writing Is on the Wall......................................................189Written in Stone............................................................192Wolf in Sheep's Clothing....................................................194Wouldn't Lift a Finger......................................................196What's Money between Friends?...............................................198Wash My Hands of It.........................................................200Walk on Water...............................................................202Whatever Your Heart Desires.................................................204Epilogue....................................................................206Bibliography................................................................207

Chapter One

Apple of My Eye

Deuteronomy 32:10 Psalm 17:8 Proverbs 7:2

Today's Phrase: I'm one of those proud and doting fathers. My five children are truly God's richest blessing in my life. Though each is unique, they hold one attribute solidly in common. Each is undeniably the "apple of my eye"!

This timeworn expression has come to symbolize something prized and protected, an object of great personal value. And, though I don't "own" my children, I certainly cherish them. Several Old Testament books contain this phrase, and biblical context is identical to today's popular meaning.

Biblical Background: Deuteronomy 32:10 expresses that the Lord kept Jacob as "the apple of his eye," protecting him and guiding him through a "waste howling wilderness." In Psalms, David prays, "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings" (Psalm 17:8).

In Proverbs 7:2, wise Solomon instructs, "Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye."

Though not specifically used in Genesis, the phrase "apple of my eye" might also logically apply in the context of Eve's temptation in the Garden of Eden. Eve coveted the godly knowledge symbolized by the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Satan seduced her into acting out her desire to possess it. The desire of her eye, or the "apple" of her eye, was that fruit which she most prized.

Clearly, similarities to today's phrase in both meaning and usage appear to be more than mere coincidence. Yet, modern etymologists suggest the phrase relates to a different "apple." Early science considered the pupil of the human eye to be a solid, globular body and likened it to an apple. Since any damage to the pupil would jeopardize the precious gift of sight, the phrase "apple of my eye" became synonymous with a possession of great worth.

Bible Byte: Does the expression "apple of my eye" come from science or scripture? It would certainly appear that a case is made for its biblical roots, but I am not out to prove that point. Only one point is important: God cherishes each individual as a valuable treasure, as the very apple of His eye. He desires that all would come unto Him. He will lead you; He will protect you under the shadow of His wings; and He will nurture you in His garden. Come into His presence, and you will be ripe with His abundance!

At the Eleventh Hour

Matthew 20:6

Today's Phrase: Americans thrive on suspense, from old vaudevillian stage plays, in which curly locked maidens narrowly escape the sinister clutches of some villainous scoundrel, to high tech movies, in which hot-shot jet jockeys engage in supersonic aerial dogfights. Seemingly, we never tire from the thrill of a last-second miraculous rescue. As the suspense mounts, we watch with eager anticipation, hoping for some dramatic rescue "at the eleventh hour" to save the day.

Hollywood has the formula down pat, but the idea is certainly not new. It's as old as an ancient scriptural record written by Matthew and spoken by Jesus. Etymologists agree that the popular saying "at the eleventh hour" originates from scripture. It is contained in one of Jesus's teaching parables. The rescue illustrated, however, is quite different.

Biblical Background: Matthew sets the stage for the parable in chapter 19. A wealthy young man, upon encountering Jesus, is saddened to hear he must relinquish his worldly riches to follow Him as one of His disciples. Christ uses the incident to emphasize that those encumbered with worldly concerns will find it difficult to make a sacrificial commitment. Simon Peter, ever the impulsive disciple, immediately proclaims, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" (Matthew 19:27).

Essentially, Peter is asking Christ, "What's in it for us?" Christ responds that all who forsake the world for Him will be rewarded with everlasting life, but adds, "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first" (Matthew 19:30).

Christ's parable, beginning in Matthew 20, illustrates His puzzling reply. A vineyard owner hired several laborers to work in his fields. Some workers were called early in the day; some a bit later; some at midday; and some, yet, at the very last moment or, as verse 6 states, "the eleventh hour." The twelve-hour workday ended a mere one hour later, and as wages were being paid, beginning with those hired last, the grumbling began.

Many workers who endured the heat of the day resented those laborers who had arrived at the "eleventh hour" because they received identical payment. The vineyard owner ignored their jealousy and chided them for their selfishness, for he chose to reward all workers equally, regardless of time spent in the fields. In effect, those hired first were last and those hired last were first.

Bible Byte: A beautiful lesson unfolds in this parable. God, like the vineyard owner, will reward all servants equally, not based on the amount of work done but for faithfulness to the task for which called. It's not the magnitude of activity, nor is it the far-reaching effects of our service that garners reward; it's the simple faithfulness of our service.

While not as dramatic as the "eleventh hour" miracles of the entertainment media, it's no less thrilling! And when the final "eleventh hour" of this world arrives, it is the only rescue that matters.

At Wit's End

Psalm 107:27

Today's Phrase: I may not have thought it at the time, but looking back, I wouldn't trade my nine years of naval service for anything. It educated me, matured me, and created a rich fabric of experience I could never replace. For three of those years, I was stationed aboard USS Direct, a 172-foot, wooden, oceangoing minesweeper. We used to proudly boast, amid a fleet of enormous steel-hulled vessels, we were the last of the navy's "wooden ships and iron men." And we could trade sea stories with the heartiest of sailors.

Being such a small vessel, Direct would bob like a cork in rough seas; but she was much more seaworthy than many of her crew. One particularly stormy night, off the coast of treacherous Cape Hatteras, gale-force winds stirred up twelve-foot seas and battered the ship relentlessly. I was on the bridge for the midwatch, from midnight to four o'clock in the morning, with a solitary sound-powered phone watchman. We hung on for life as we pitched and rolled through the blackness. Eventually, the bridge awning tore loose, and greenish ocean spray engulfed the bridge, at a height of thirty-five feet above the water line. We each tied ourselves to an immovable support for safety but were still scared to death. We were "at our wit's end," and all we could do was pray.

Psalms tells a similar "sea story," one any sailor can relate to, and one every "landlubber" should heed.

Biblical Background: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in the great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end" (Psalm 107:23–27).

Clearly, the psalmist knows the ways of the sea, but he also knows the way to calm a troubled soul: "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven" (Psalm 107:28–30).

Bible Byte: Life's trials, like a stormy sea, can likewise toss us about. With so many pressures in today's complex world, we're often driven to our "wit's end" trying to handle the stress. But we needn't steer the ship alone. There is a haven of rest; there is a solid support. Hang on to the Lord, and He will deliver you from your trouble. Before you get to your "wit's end," don't forget to call upon Him.

Basket Case

Exodus 2:3

Today's Phrase: Webster's defines a "basket case" as "a person who has all four limbs amputated." Today, a basket case can refer to any person or thing, which is incapacitated, uncoordinated, or simply helpless. This slang term reportedly originates from the use of baskets employed to carry severely war-wounded soldiers during the First World War. The book of Exodus however, suggests a different possibility.

Biblical Background: Pharaoh, king of Egypt, was concerned with the growing Israelite population. He feared their increased strength and, therefore, ordered the murder of all new male children born to Hebrew slaves. Newborn sons were to be thrown into the river and drowned, but newborn daughters could be spared. With this plan, Pharaoh would prevent the buildup of an organized resistance among the Israelite people by eliminating a whole generation of potential soldiers.

Chapter 2 details the account of a young Levite girl who bore a son and, in defiance of Pharaoh's decree, hid him three months. Her love was great, and she risked her own life to save his. She prepared a basket of reeds and slime, placed her son within it, and set it adrift among the bulrush reeds lining the riverbank. Pharaoh's own daughter soon discovered the basket and felt compassion for the child. She arranged for his care and eventual adoption into the very household of Pharaoh. Though the young Levite mother could not have known, this was no chance encounter. God intervened, leaving nothing to chance. His plan was perfect. The child's mother put her trust in God and was rewarded. Not only was her son's life spared, but she was also chosen by Pharaoh's daughter to nurture and care for this newly adopted child in Pharaoh's house.

Bible Byte: The child in this familiar story is Moses, destined to become one of God's greatest servants. Yet, when first discovered, he is a totally helpless, defenseless "basket case." The similar meaning for basket case today is compelling evidence of its biblical origin. But the lesson from his mother's faith is even more compelling.

God oversees the helpless and rewards those who seek and trust in Him. His plan is perfected in our weakness. Though we may be a "basket case" today, He has a wonderful plan for our nurture and growth into effective service for Him tomorrow. Don't waste another day. Let God carry you in the "basket" of His love. He can turn the helpless into the hopeful.

Birds of a Feather

Ecclesiasticus 27:9 (Apocrypha)

Today's Phrase: As a youngster, I used to run around with my best friend, Paul. We went everywhere together. We dressed the same, wore our crew cuts the same (how else?), and even tried to talk the same way. My father used to say to us, "You boys sure are 'birds of a feather.'"

"Yeah, we sure do flock together!" we shouted happily. Little did I realize this old phrase comes from ancient scripture, more specifically, the apocryphal book of Ecclesiasticus.

Biblical Background: Christian scriptures are normally considered to be only the canonized books of the Old and New Testaments. Thus far, we've only examined phrases contained in these sections. But the Protestant Apocrypha, comprised of many early Christian writings, has also impacted our colloquial language.

Apocryphal books were included in the Septuagint (a pre-Christian Greek version of the Jewish scripture) and the Vulgate (a Latin version of the Bible adopted by the Roman Catholic Church). For the most part, the writings have been excluded from the Protestant canon. Still, many Protestant Bibles are published containing this section.

The popular expression "birds of a feather" is traceable to the apocryphal book of Ecclesiasticus. The Cloverdale translation of the Bible (1535 AD) records in Ecclesiasticus, "Birds roost with their own kind" (Ecclesiasticus 27:9).

Obviously, some clever phrasing has occurred over the years resulting in the modern rhyming expression; but etymological sources agree that today's expression originates from this scripture. Usage today relates more to behavior than appearance, however. In other words, the "feather" relates to how one acts, not how one looks. All blond-haired, blue-eyed people are less likely to "flock" together than would, for example, troublemakers with troublemakers. (And I'm not implying Paul and I were either.) The phrase has colloquially evolved into an axiom for social behavior.

Unfortunately, today we frequently use this expression as an excuse or in acceptance for poor behavior. We might witness some rowdy, obnoxious group at a sporting event and dismiss it indifferently with a shrug: "Oh well, birds of a feather ..."

Bible Byte: Like so many phrases we've examined, today's expression is distanced from its original intent. Reading further in Ecclesiasticus we note, "Truth comes back to those who practice it."

The emphasis in context of the entire verse is quite different. Scripture doesn't politely dismiss wrongdoing with a shrug. The emphasis intended is clearly on doing what is right.

Birds of a feather do flock together, right with right and wrong with wrong. Which flock do you roost with? Jesus wants to know.

Broke the Law

Exodus 32:19

Today's Phrase: One of my kids asked recently if I'd ever broken the law. I squirmed a bit as I considered my answer, but then admitted I'd experienced a few "run-ins" with the law thanks to our traffic courts.

Retrospectively, I'm glad my son asked that question. He piqued my curiosity about the origin for the phrase "broke the law." I didn't find any supporting sources to corroborate my suspicion of its biblical origin but, likewise, found no contradiction. A familiar Old Testament story is the basis for my assumption.

Biblical Background: Most are familiar with God's Old Testament law, referred to as the Ten Commandments. Moses actually received these instructions directly from God while on Mount Sinai. Exodus reveals that God gave Moses "tables of stone and a law and commandments" (Exodus 24:12).

It also describes that these laws were "written with the finger of God" (Exodus 31:18).

A fascinating story unfolds as we examine when and how these first laws were "broken."

Chapter 32 begins with the Israelites' tiring from waiting for Moses to return from Mount Sinai. He had been gone for almost forty days at this point, and the people were weary and restless. In rebellion, the people fashioned a golden calf and, with a reckless abandon, turned from God to feast and party in honor of their new idol. (Remember, the Israelites had been in captivity in Egypt over four hundred years and had been taught idolatry by the Egyptians.)

God became very angry, promising Moses in verses 7–10 that He would destroy the people for their wickedness. Moses returned to the camp, amazed with the corruption he discovers: the golden calf, the idol worship, and the reckless and riotous behavior of the people. In a fury, Moses threw the stone tablets to the ground, breaking God's laws into pieces.

Judgment was swift. Moses called for repentance and separated those willing to return to the Lord. Tragically, three thousand men were put to death in judgment for blasphemy. Moses returned to the mountain to confess the sin of his people and to intercede for the Israelite nation.

In chapter 34, the tablets of stone were again created and the Ten Commandments were written upon them. Although the original laws were "broken," God's law remained intact.

Bible Byte: Today we have far more laws than any two stone tablets could contain. Myriad volumes of laws and ordinances exist. But these laws, as good as they seem, are broken every day. That shouldn't surprise us, for just as before, the law doesn't prevent sin; it merely measures it. One of the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." That law didn't keep the Israelites free from idolatry, but it was the standard by which they were judged.

(Continues...)

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