The Bible’s influence on everyday language and our society has endured for thousands of years. Biblical language has transcending generations, civilizations and cultures across the world. Below are 25 common phrases we use everyday that are originally found in the Bible.

Let there be light
"And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." - Genesis 1:3

Spare the rod, spoil the child
"Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them." - Proverbs 13:24

​Forbidden fruit
"And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." - Genesis 2:16-17

Drop in a bucket
"Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust." - Isaiah 40:15

By the sweat of your brow
"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." - Genesis 3:19

A man after my own heart
"After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: "I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do." - Acts 13:22

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
"By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." - Genesis 3:19

Am I my brother’s keeper?
"Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' 'I don't know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother's keeper?'" - Genesis 4:9

Philistine
"After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines." - Genesis 21:32

Land of milk and honey
"So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey--the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites." - Exodus 3:8

An eye for an eye, a tooth for tooth
"But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise." - Exodus 21:23-25

Golden calf
"Aaron answered them, 'Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.' So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, 'These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'" - Exodus 32:2-4

 Scapegoat 
"But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat." - Leviticus 16:10

As old as Methuselah
"When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died." - Genesis 5:25-27

Fire and brimstone
"Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;" - Genesis 19:24

Man does not live on bread alone
"Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.''" - Matthew 4:4

Apple of my eye
"In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye," - Deuteronomy 32:10

How the mighty have fallen
"How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights." - 2 Samuel 1:25

Put words in one’s mouth
"Then go to the king and speak these words to him." And Joab put the words in her mouth." - 2 Samuel 14:3

Be a man
"I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man." - 1 Kings 2:2

Jezebel
"And as though it were not enough to follow the sinful example of Jeroboam, he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal." - 1 Kings 16:31

Put your house in order
"In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." - 2 Kings 20:1 

Nothing but skin and bones
"I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth." - Job 19:20

The root of the matter
"But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?" - Job 19:28

Wits’ end
"They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits' end." - Psalm 107:27

Sometimes the shortest verses in the Bible can have the biggest impact on our lives. When you’re going through a troubling season, look to God’s word for some inspiration or a bit of encouragement. Often all it takes is one short verse to remind us that God is with us always, that he loves us, and that He will give us strength.
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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. - Ephesians 6:10

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. - Psalm 56:3

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? - Psalm 27:1

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. - Proverbs 18:10

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. - Nehemiah 8:10

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. - 1 Chronicles 16:11

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. - Psalm 9:9-10

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. - Exodus 33:14

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you. - Psalm 55:22

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. - Hebrews 11:1

Be still, and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe." - Mark 5:36

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.” - Mark 11:22

For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7

That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 2:5

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

For nothing will be impossible with God. - Luke 1:37

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! - Philippians 4:4

Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. - Romans 12:12

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4 

The LORD lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted! - 2 Samuel 22:47 

There are so many troubling and distressing headlines in the news these days, it can be hard to make sense of everything, much less stay hopeful. When will all this madness end? Only God knows for sure. But until it does, take a few moments to read these Bible passages and let them sustain you in the days ahead.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. - Psalm 55:22

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalm 27:1

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. - Deuteronomy 31:8

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. - Isaiah 49:13

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. - John 14:27

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. - 2 Corinthians 1:3

He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. - Job 5:11

Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. - Psalm 119:76

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. - John 16:33

If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. - Psalm 139:11-12

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. - Matthew 5:4

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:37-39

Whether you’re new to the Bible or you’re just looking for the most frequently quoted Bible verses available, here are some of the most popular Bible verses. Challenge yourself as you read through them and see how many of them you know by heart and how many are new to you.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:34

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

Do everything in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. - Proverbs 16:3

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” - Mark 9:23

​For we live by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7
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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” - Acts 16:31

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13

Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. - Matthew 28:19

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. - Psalm 42:11​

Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you. - 1 Peter 5:7

We love because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19​

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. - Proverbs 3:5

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. - Psalm 23:1-3