The now commonly-used German idiom Worte auf der Goldwaage wägen, meaning to be overcautious about the meaning of each word or to take everything literally (literal meaning: “to weigh everything on the gold scale”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 73)
The latest edition of the Bible translation by Luther has changed this in Sirach 28:25 to auf die Goldwaage legen (“put everything on the gold scale”), which is another common way of saying the same thing. In Sirach 21:25, where Luther originally used the same expression (for what is translated in English as “words are weighed in the balance”), the latest revision uses Worte im Zaum halten or “keep words in check” (literally: “bridle words”).
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German expression Hände in Unschuld waschen, which today is used by someone who wants to express that they have nothing to do with something negative (literally “wash hands in innocence”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 74)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
See also I wash my hands in innocence (image) and Pilate saw that he could do nothing and he took some water and washed his hands (image).
The now commonly-used German expression Herz ausschütten, which today is used by someone who wants to communicate their deepest feeling and thoughts in great confidence (literally “pour out one’s heart”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 76)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German expression Herzenslust, which today is especially used in the phrasing “nach Herzenslust,” meaning to do something just like one wants (literally “follow the desires of the heart”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 77)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German idiom Heulen und Zähneklappern (originally: Heulen und Zähneklappen), which today is used to express anger and outrage, often in a humorous context (literally “weeping and chattering of teeth”), was first coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 79)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German idiom Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall, which means that too much prideful behavior often ends in ruin (literally “arrogance goes before the fall”), was made popular in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 80)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German idiom ein Licht aufgehen, which means that someone has suddenly understood something (literally “a light is dawning”), was made popular in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 83)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German idiom ein Licht unter den Scheffel, which means to be excessively humble (literally “put a light under the bushel”), was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 85)
Since the German term Scheffel (“bushel”) is outdated and not widely known anymore, it was replaced in a 1975 revision of the Luther New Testament with Eimer (“bucket”). In the public reception this was seen as such an egregious error of judgment that that whole version was referred to mockingly as the Eimertestament (“bucket testament”) and withdrawn two years after its release. This choice of wording was not the only reason why that particular revision did not succeed. The revision was done mostly by linguists rather than theologians and aimed to have a highly communicative and modern style, which resulted in a loss of the specific style of the Luther Bible, something that the German church and public were not willing to accept. A more conservative revision followed in 1984 and the last revision was published in 2017. The 2017 edition actually restored some of Luther’s phrasing and terminology that had been replaced by earlier versions as long as they still reflected the meaning of the original Greek or Hebrew text.
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
