The English Language: Why was the Bible important?

The first translation of The Bible into English in the 1380s had an enormous influence on the evolution of the English language.

Biblical words and phrases quickly entered the language. They are still in use today.

Here are some examples:

◦ the apple of my eye - Psalm 17:8
◦ the salt of the earth - Matt 5:13
◦ the sun shines on the righteous - Matt 5:45
◦ seek and you shall find - Matt 7:7
◦ a little bird told me - Eccl 10:20
◦ eat, drink and be merry - Luke 12:19
◦ Armageddon - Rev 16:16
◦ a doubting Thomas - John 20:27
◦ to escape by the skin of your teeth - Job 19:19-20
◦ scapegoat - Lev 16:9-10
◦ the sweat of your brow - Gen 3:17,19
◦ pride goes before a fall - Prov 16:18
◦ money is the root of all evil - 1Tim 6:10

Adapted from WikiAnswers: How did the Bible influence the English language?
Do you know the words we use to describe he English language?



Try this crossword. You can find all the words in the glossary of this section of ESL Reading.