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 idiom Mördergrube (literally “murderers’ pit”), which today is primarily used in the expression “aus seinem Herzen keine Mördergrube machen” or “to speak freely” (literally: “don’t turn your heart into a murderers pit”), was made popular in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. Note that from the 1956 the Luther Bible edition on forward, this was replaced with the more correct Räuberhöhle. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German idiom Der Mensch lebt nicht vom Brot allein, which today is often used as a way to express that only bread is not enough as food (Der Mensch lebt nicht vom Brot allein, es kann auch Wurst und Käse sein — “one does not live by bread alone, meat and cheese are also welcome”) was coined in 1522 in the German New Testament translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
See also man cannot live by bread alone.
The now commonly-used German idiom Maul halten, which today is a coarse way of saying “be quiet” (literally “hold one’s [animal-like] mouth”), was made popular in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. Note that from the 1956 of the Luther Bible edition on forward, this was replaced with the equally colloquial but less coarse Mund halten (literally “hold one’s mouth”). (Source: Günther 2017, p. 90)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German idiom Maul stopfen, which now either refers to gluttonous eating or to silencing someone by proving or showing that despite them being big-mouthed (“großmäulig”) about something thatthey were wrong after all (literally “stuff one’s (animal-like) mouth”), was made popular in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 89)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
The now commonly-used German term Lockvogel, which now refers to someone used as a decoy with a bad, often criminal intent (literally “decoy bird” — partridges were not used as decoys in German hunting during Luther’s time), was made popular in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 87)
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.
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.
