500 surprising facts from Scripture — hidden details, numbers and little-known stories, one at a time.
The phrase 'by the skin of my teeth' originates from a statement made by Job describing his narrow escape from complete disaster.
This specific expression appears in Job 19:20, part of Job's broader lament regarding his extensive suffering. This phrase remains commonly used today to describe narrowly avoiding a negative outcome.
The phrase 'a leopard cannot change its spots' originates from a rhetorical question posed by the prophet Jeremiah.
This specific phrase appears in Jeremiah 13:23, used to illustrate the difficulty of changing deeply ingrained habitual behavior. This expression remains widely used today regarding the perceived permanence of certain personal characteristics.
The phrase 'go the extra mile' is believed to originate from a specific teaching of Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount.
This teaching appears in Matthew 5:41, instructing believers to willingly go two miles when compelled to go only one, referencing Roman practices of compelling civilian labor. This phrase remains commonly used today regarding making extra effort beyond what is strictly required.
The phrase 'nothing new under the sun' originates from the Book of Ecclesiastes, reflecting on the cyclical nature of human experience.
This specific phrase appears in Ecclesiastes 1:9, part of the book's broader philosophical reflection on the repetitive and sometimes seemingly futile nature of human endeavor. This expression remains a commonly used idiom today regarding perceived lack of true novelty.
The phrase 'like a lamb to the slaughter' originates from Isaiah's prophetic description of a suffering servant figure.
This specific phrase appears in Isaiah 53:7, later directly connected in Christian interpretation to Jesus' silent submission during his trial and crucifixion. This same passage is explicitly referenced in Acts 8:32 in connection with the Ethiopian official's reading.
The concept of a 'scapegoat' originates from the ancient Israelite Day of Atonement ritual described in Leviticus.
This ritual, detailed in Leviticus 16:8-10 and 20-22, involved symbolically transferring the community's sins onto a goat that was then released into the wilderness. This term remains widely used today to describe someone unfairly blamed for problems caused by others.
The phrase 'an eye for an eye' originates from ancient legal principles found in several places throughout the Old Testament.
This specific principle, known as lex talionis, appears in passages such as Exodus 21:24 and Leviticus 24:20, establishing proportional justice within ancient Israelite law. Jesus later addressed and expanded upon this principle in his Sermon on the Mount teaching regarding non-retaliation (Matthew 5:38-39).
The phrase 'good Samaritan' has become a widely used term describing someone who helps a stranger in need.
This usage directly derives from Jesus' well-known parable found in Luke 10:30-37, describing an unexpected outsider helping an injured traveler. This term remains commonly used today, even independent of its specific biblical religious context.
The phrase 'the powers that be' originates from Paul's discussion regarding governmental authority in his letter to the Romans.
This specific phrase appears in Romans 13:1 in the King James Version, encouraging respectful submission to established governmental authority. This expression remains widely used today, generally referring to those currently holding significant power or authority.
The phrase 'salt of the earth' originates from Jesus' description of his followers during the Sermon on the Mount.
This specific phrase appears in Matthew 5:13, describing believers as providing preservative and flavorful influence within broader society. This expression remains commonly used today to describe someone considered fundamentally good, genuine, or dependable.
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