Quiz: Bible Catchphrases

The expression is derived from the Gospel parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), which tells how a certain man divided his estate between two sons; the younger one went to a distant place and, living promiscuously, wasted his estate. When he was in want and hardship, he returned to his father; his father took pity on him, embraced him and kissed him; and the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son..." But the father ordered him to be dressed in his best clothes and made a feast in his honour, saying: "Let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found…”. The expression "prodigal son" means a son who has gone out of obedience to his father; it is used in the meaning of "one who is dissolute, morally unstable," but more often in the meaning of "one who has repented of his errors."

The expression is based on the historical evidence of the Old Testament Scriptures about the exile of the Jews by the king of Babylon and their long period of stay in the territory of the Babylonian (then former Babylonian) kingdom. In particular, it is mentioned in Psalm 136, which describes the longing of the Jews who were in Babylonian exile and weepingly remembered their homeland: "By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion. (Ps.136:1)".

Babel (figuratively, turmoil, total disorder).

In Church Slavonic, "stolpotvoreniye (столпотворение)" means building of a pillar, a tower. The book of Genesis tells about the attempt of people to build a tower to the heavens in the city of Babylon to fulfil their ambitious plans and to immortalise themselves in the eyes of their descendants. God punished the arrogant people and scattered them throughout the earth by mixing their languages so that they could no longer understand each other (Genesis 11:1-9).

One of the first prophets mentioned in the Bible was the Midianite Balaam. Whilst the Israelites were still on their way to their promised land, the king of Moab, Balak, hired him to curse the Israelite people. In those days the prophetic word was treated extremely seriously, and to curse meant to do real, not symbolic, harm. Balaam agreed, saddled his donkey and set off ...

Anyone familiar with the expression "Valaam's donkey" knows what happened next. It became stubborn, did not want to go forward, despite the beatings, and even pressed its master's leg against the wall. And when he became furious and wanted to kill her, she spoke to him with a human voice - and showed her master an angel, who was blocking the way. The angel, however, allowed the prophet to go to his "employer", but only under one condition: Balaam must utter the prophecy that the Lord would give him, and not the one for which he was promised payment. There was, of course, a deeper meaning in the donkey's behaviour: it was about the message, not the messenger. Of course, the wordless animal was no greater or better than the famous prophet, but it was the animal that helped him to recognise the will of God. Similarly, Balaam and any seer and visionary is not a great guru, but only a middleman who helps other people to know the will of God. So Balaam went to Balak and pronounced blessings instead of curses, because the Lord told him to do so (Num 22-24).

Andrew Desnitsky

This expression is used ironically to describe a silent and submissive person who suddenly speaks up and protests.

“... If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (2Thes.3:10)“.

To Caesar is Caesar's, to God is God's (each to his own). “... Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. “(Mat.22:21)" was Jesus Christ's answer to the Pharisees when they asked him if it was necessary to render taxes to Caesar.

The expression comes from the Gospel: "«Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (Mat.7:15)". It is used as a characteristic of a hypocrite who hides his bad intentions behind a mask of virtue.

This expression is found in the Old Testament Book of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah.40:3). It is also used in the Books of the New Testament (Mt.3:3; Mk.1:3; Jn.1:23). In the biblical context it points to the preaching of the Forerunner of the Lord preparing the people to meet God. In the secular language, for example, it is used in the meaning of "a vain appeal for something that remains unheeded, unanswered".

This expression has its origin in the Gospel parable that tells about the joy of the master who found and returned one lost sheep to the flock (Matt.18:12-13; Luke 15:4-7). In the modern meaning, a lost sheep is a person who has strayed from the path of truth.

Forbidden fruit to primordial humans was the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil(Gen. 2:16-17). In modern secular usage, forbidden fruit often refers to "something tempting, desirable, but forbidden or unavailable," or simply something forbidden (forbidden words, deeds, actions, books, songs, pictures, etc.).

The book of Exodus contains an account of the Jews' worship of a golden calf instead of God(Exodus 32:1-4). In our time the expression "Golden Calf" may refer to an object of worship that has the meaning of an idol or idol not only in a strictly religious (strictly cultic) sense, but also in a figurative sense, e.g. jewellery, money.

The topic of the day is the actual problem of a given time, concern, care. This expression is connected with the origin of the Gospel: "... Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Mt.6:34). In Church Slavonic: ""Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof".

Satan tempted Eve using the serpent's mouth, directing her to eat the fruit from the forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3:1-13), after which Eve herself tempted Adam. As a result of this sin the forebears were expelled from Paradise. In secular usage, the expression "serpent-tempter" can be applied to a person who tempts another person to sin.

There are many instances of infant deaths in Scripture, including (literally) the "beating of infants": 1Mac.2:9; Matt.2:16. But it is the killing of infants by order of King Herod that is widely known as the "Beating of the Infants" in both Christian literature and secular literature.

The Gospel tells of the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, one of Christ's twelve disciples; he betrayed his teacher for thirty pieces of silver to the Jewish chief priests; bringing the guards to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was, Judas said that the one whom he would kiss should be taken, and immediately went up to Jesus and kissed him (Matt.26:48-49; Mark 14:44; Luke 22:47).

The name Judas became synonymous with a betrayer; the expression "Judas' kiss" is used to mean "a betraying act hypocritically disguised as a show of love, friendship".

The stumbling block is reported in both Old Testament Scripture (Isaiah 8:14) and New Testament Scripture (Romans 9:31-33). In theology, this figurative expression often serves as a symbol of Christ and his teachings. In secular usage, the expression is used to mean "a difficulty someone experiences in some matter".

The idea that "...man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD." (Deut.8:3) was expressed by Jesus Christ during His forty-day fast in the desert in responding to Satan's temptation (Matt.4:4; Lk.4:4). Nowadays, the expression "not by bread alone" is used in the meaning that "man should take care of satisfying not only his material needs, but also his spiritual needs".

"But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. " (Matthew 5:39) - this is how the Lord Jesus Christ taught His followers. In the modern world this expression is used both in the Christian meaning and in the non-Christian meaning. In the non-Christian meaning it can be used, for example, to describe cowardly behaviour, outwardly expressed as non-resistance to violence.

This expression was used by the Lord Jesus Christ: "... You are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 18:36). By this expression, in particular, the Divine dignity of Christ was indicated, that His Kingdom is the Kingdom of God. At the same time, with these words the Divine is contrasted with the sinful-worldly. In modern non-theological usage, the expression "not of this world" can be used in the sense of "not like the others", "strange", "special", "different".

This requirement was announced by God; it expressed a prohibition against worshipping false gods, idols (Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8). Nowadays it can be used in a broader context, e.g. as a prohibition to blindly follow someone or something (e.g. the leader of a totalitarian sect), to honour someone or something as if it were an idol (e.g. a "star" artist, singer, athlete).

The expression "You shall become an object of horror, a proverb, and a byword among all the peoples ... (Deut.28:37). In the modern, extended meaning of the expression "Byword among all the peoples" means something that has become widely known, that everybody knows, that has become the subject of common talk, causing disapproval and ridicule (p.s. a byword is a short story with a moral message; the word "peoples" means languages, dialects, as well as nations, tribes).

The Gospel of Mark (Mark 4:22) and Luke (Luke 8:17) say, "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. (Luke.8:17)"

This expression is used in a literal sense.

According to the ceremonial requirements of the Mosaic Law in Old Testament times, a scapegoat was a goat upon which the sins committed by the Israelite people were symbolically placed, after which they were cast out (released) into the wilderness. (Lev.16:21-22).

In secular usage, the expression is used to mean: "a person on whom someone else's guilt is constantly blamed, responsible for others" or simply "a person unjustly accused, a person 'assigned' as guilty, an 'extreme' person".

The manna from heaven was the special food sent by God to the Israelite people during their wandering in the desert (Exodus 16:14-16; Exodus 16:31). In modern times, the manna from heaven can refer to various kinds of good things, the possession of which is associated with a luck in the secular sense.

This expression is connected with the Gospel words: "«Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls (church.-slav. - "бисер" means pearls) before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. " (Mt.7:6).

In our times it can be used in the meaning: to waste words in vain with people who are unwilling or unable to appreciate them (to preach in vain with such people, to explain something to them, to ask them for something, to encourage them to do something, etc.).

Variants of partiality were also reported in Old Testament Scripture (Job 33:26; Psalm 16:15). The requirement not to distinguish between persons is also recorded in the Scriptures of the Old Testament: "You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.́" (Deuteronomy 1:17). However, the expression "without partiality" is used in the New Testament Scripture, in the Epistle of James: "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality." (James 2:1). The meaning of "without partiality" is "without being hypocritical," "without being obsequious, without human adoration," etc.

"fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has caused disfigurement of a man, so shall it be done to him." (Leviticus 24:20) (see also Exodus 21:24; Deuteronomy 19:21) - this was the requirement of the Old Testament law that regulated the severity of responsibility for an offence. The importance of this requirement was not limited to the fact that the perpetrator should not go unpunished, but also in the fact that the severity of the punishment should not exceed the gravity of the offender's guilt. This law had a very important meaning, because it limited the blood revenge, widespread in ancient times, when for the offence of a person of one clan against a member of another clan, the whole clan was avenged, and regardless of the degree of guilt, the revenge was usually death. In modern interpretation, the expression "an eye for an eye" is interpreted as a call for revenge.

The expression "the valley of weeping" is found in the Bible (Psalm 83:6-7), in the Church Slavonic language translation. In the modern interpretation it means: the valley of weeping (Church Slavonic: yudol - lowland place, valley; allegorically - this world, earthly life). In secular usage it can be used to refer to "earthly life with its sorrows and sufferings" or "a place full of weeping, longing".

This expression has been in use since Old Testament times and is recorded in the Book of Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach: "Burden not thyself above thy power while thou livest; and have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than thyself..." (Sirach 13:2). In modern usage, the expression "burden above power" can be used both literally and figuratively, e.g., an exorbitant burden, an impossible burden.

The words, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread..." (Gen. 3:19) God spoke to Adam, who had sinned, before his expulsion from Paradise. In modern usage, the expression "in the sweat of your face" means: "by hard labour".

The idea of returning to one's own circles (Church Slavonic for "на круги своя - na krugi svoya") is expressed in the Book of Ecclesiastes: "...The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit." (Ecclesiastes 1:6). The expression "to come again on one’s circuit." means: "to return to the starting point", "to the former state of things", "to the former conditions", etc.

These are the words of the Apostle Paul: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. " (Romans 13:1). In Church Slavonic languange, the expression "governing authorities" sounds like "власте́мъ предержа́щымъ-vlastem prederzhashim". In modern linguistic usage, the expression "the powers-that-be" is often used in an ironic sense in relation to the authorities.

A mite is a small copper coin. Two mites were the contribution of the poor widow to the temple treasury. A mite is a small coin. Meanwhile, according to Christ, the widow's two mites were worth much more than the rich donations, because she gave all she had (Mk.12:41-44; Lk.21:1-4). In modern usage, the expression "внести свою лепту-vnesti svoyu leptou" means: "to make a contribution", "to take part in a common cause", etc.

The chief cornerstone (main, priority). "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone." (Psalm 117:22). It is quoted many times in the New Testament (Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7).

This expression is found in the Book of Ecclesiastes: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: (Eccl.3:1): a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; (Eccl.3:2); .... a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; (Eccl.3:5) ... a time for war, and a time for peace. (Eccl.3:8)" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). In modern usage, this expression has the meaning: Everything in its own time.

This is the kind of expression found in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: "Awake, awake! Stand up, O Jerusalem, You who have drunk at the hand of the Lord The cup of His fury; You have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling, And drained it out. " (Isaiah 51:17). To drink the cup to the dregs is to endure the trial to the end.

This expression has its origin in the biblical story of the Flood (Gen. 6:19-20, 7:1-8). Nowadays it is often used in an ironic sense, e.g., in reference to a motley group of people.

A voice crying in the wilderness. An expression from the Old Testament (Isaiah 40:3). It is quoted in the New Testament (Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; John 1:23) in reference to John the Baptist. It is used in the meaning: a desperate appeal.

This expression has its origin in the story of the Flood. The dove sent out of the ark by Noah brought him an olive leaf as a testimony that the flood was over, dry land appeared, God's wrath was replaced by mercy (Genesis 8:11). Subsequently, the image of a dove with an olive (olive) branch was used as a symbol of reconciliation, a symbol of peace. The dove of peace can refer to the image (when, for example, it is depicted in fine art), and to a person - for example, a fighter for peace or a messenger - a negotiator for peace.

The Old Testament scripture contains the phrase "the sins of my youth":" Do not remember the sins of my youth, ... o Lord." (Psalm 24:7).

In modern usage, the expression "sins of youth" is often used to refer to a person's previous sins committed when he was young.

This verbal image is presented in the Gospel, "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." (Matthew 7:26-27). In a broader meaning, a house built on sand is something shaky, unstable, unreliable.

The image of a person who reaps where he has not sown was presented in the Gospel, "... a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed." (Matt. 25:24); "... You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.́" (Luke 19:21). Today, it is used to describe a person who takes unfair advantage of the fruits of another's labour (parasites on another's labour).

This expression has its origin in the Gospel parable of the servant who buried a talent (a weight measure of silver) in the ground instead of using it in work and making a profit (Matthew 25:14-30). The word "talent" later became synonymous with outstanding ability. To hide a talent in the ground means not to use a talent for its intended purpose, not to allow the development of certain innate abilities.

Within the biblical context the Promised Land means the land promised by God to the Jewish people (ancient Palestine) (the people were given this land after redemption from Egyptian slavery, after forty years of wandering in the wilderness): "... to the land which You swore to their fathers?..." (Num.11:12); "... go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-to give to them and their descendants after them.́" (Deut.1:8). The apostle Paul referred to this land as the promised land (Hebrews 11:9). In modern secular usage, the promised land is a "favourable" (profitable, fertile, "warm") place.

Seek and ye shall find. It is translated from the Church Slavonic language as "seek and you wll find" (Matt. 7:7; Luke 11:9).

This expression has its origin in the Gospel story, "... not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Matthew 24:2). This passage cites Jesus' prophetic words about the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, which took place several decades after Christ's crucifixion. Leave no stone unturned - destroy it to the ground.

This verbal image is borrowed from the Apocalypse: "And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. ... And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. " (Rev. 5:1-3). In secular language, the expression "the scroll with seven seals" can mean something inaccessible, well-hidden and/or guarded.

This image is related in origin to the biblical passage about King Nebuchadnezzar's dream in which he saw a huge metal statue (colossus) on feet of clay collapsing from the impact of a stone (Dan.2:31-35). In today's broader meaning, a colossus on feet of clay is something huge in appearance and easily vulnerable.

This expression is found in the Book of Job: "... since the root of the matter is found in me ,.. ." (Job 19:28). It is also found in New Testament Scripture: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, ... " (1 Timothy 6:10). The root of evil is the source of evil.

He who is not with me is against me. He who is not with us is against us. "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." (Matt. 12:30). Through these words, Jesus Christ emphasises that there is no middle way in the spiritual world. Popular wisdom says in this regard: "If you fall behind God, you have joined Satan."

We should remember that these words of the Saviour like a bright ray of light illuminate all the chaos of our present life. The Lord says precisely and succinctly: "He who is not with Me is against Me. A Christian cannot be indifferent to truth and non-truth, righteousness and unrighteousness. There are people who as they say, stand on the other side of good and evil, as they think of themselves. But this really shows that they are on the side of evil without realising it themselves. But he who is with the Saviour serves Him consciously. He takes His holy law as a guide for himself, and constantly tries to build his life in the way the Lord teaches, as the Gospel teaches us. The words of the Saviour are not in vain: "He who does not hear Me, he who does not do My words, shall have a judge for himself - the word which I have spoken shall judge him on the last day". Therefore, a Christian should keep the word of God as the apple of the eye and follow it in his life, so that it does not condemn him at the Last Judgement.

Archbishop Philaret (Voznesensky)

Those who come with the sword will also perish by the sword. "... for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matt. 26:52).

This expression is found in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: "... Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; ..." (Isaiah 28:16). The cornerstone refers to the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. This parallel is clearly expressed by the apostle in the Epistle to the Ephesians: "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ..." (Eph. 2:19-20). In secular usage, a cornerstone is something that is fundamental, foundational.

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34) – the words of Jesus Christ at the crucifixion, pronounced in Church Slavonic "Otche otpusti im, ne vedyat bo, chto tvoryat. – Отче отпусти им, не ведят бо, что творят".

«Judge not, that you be not judged. A quotation from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1).

In its literal meaning the Unburnt Bush (Neopalimaya Kupina in Church Slavonic) is an unburned (thorn) bush, and in the biblical narrative: a burning but unburned thorn bush, in whose flames the Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses (Exodus 3:2). Nowadays, the expression "the Neopalimaya Kupina" can symbolise something eternal, timeless.

To bear one's cross (to bear the burdens of one's fate in obedience). Jesus Himself bore the cross on which He was to be crucified (John 19:17), and when He became weary, the Roman soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).

This expression has its origin in Christ's words, "... no prophet is accepted in his own country." (Luke 4:24). "... A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house. " (Mat.13:57)", "... A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house. " (Mark.6:4). Nowadays, it is often used in its broader meaning: in the closest circle of a person ignores often his or her virtues, talents, merits, etc.

"No jot or trait shall pass from the law until all things are fulfilled" (Matthew 5:18). By jot here is meant the sign of the Hebrew alphabet, the yod, similar in form to the apostrophe. The expression "not budging an inch" can be used in modern language in the both meanings: "to fulfil something exactly" or "not to budge even a little".

This kind of expression is found in the Apostle: "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:6). In Church Slavonic: "Да просит же верою ничтоже сумняся-Da prosit zhe veroyu nichtozhe sumnyasya". Today this expression is often used in an ironic sense: not doubting too much, not hesitating, not doubting.

"But let your "Yes" be "Yes", and your "No" "No". For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37) – the words of Jesus Christ, forbidding to swear by heaven, earth, Jerusalem and the head of the one who swears. In Orthodox usage of the word, the evil one is often used to mean the devil (or any other representative of evil demonic forces). In modern secular usage, the expression "from the evil one" can characterise a dubious, adventurous proposal (advice).

A Gospel parable describes how the enemy sowed tares (weeds) among the wheat. The owner of the field, being careful not to pull out the wheat when picking out the tares, decided to wait until it matured and then give the reapers the task of picking out the weeds to burn them (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43). In a broader sense: to separate the tares from the wheat – to separate the false from the true, the bad from the good.

"And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet." (Mt.10:14), and also Mk.6:11; Lk.9:5; Acts 13:51. This quotation is based on the ancient Jewish custom of shaking off road dust from the feet when returning to Palestine from journeys to pagan countries, where even road dust was considered unclean. In modern usage, the phrase "shake the dust off one's feet" can mean: to break with something forever, to renounce with indignation.

"He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." (John 8:7) are the words of Jesus Christ in response to the temptations of the scribes and Pharisees who brought to Him a woman found guilty of adultery. These words prompt us to think: Is it right to demand punishment of another sinner when one sins, as if one is sinless?

To sprinkle ashes or soil on one's head as a sign of grief is an ancient Jewish custom: " ... they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven." (Job.2:12). ".... he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes.." (Esther 4:1). In modern secular usage, "to sprinkle ashes on one's head" means: to express extreme sorrow, despair.

The guiding star (in this case) is the Star of Bethlehem, which showed the way to the eastern wise men (magicians) who went to worship the Christ who was born (Matt.2:9). In modern language, the expression "guiding star" can mean: something that serves as a reference point in one's life and/or activity, directs one's life, activity.

The holy of holies (hidden, secret, inaccessible to the uninitiated) was a part of the tabernacle (the Jewish movable temple) separated by a veil, into which only the high priest could enter once a year. "The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy." (Ex. 26:33).

"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 8:12) are the words of Jesus Christ about the horrors of hell. It is used metaphorically in the sense of powerless rage.

The Gospel reflects the thought that it is impossible to fully serve two Masters at the same time: "«No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other...." (Luke 16:13). In a broader sense, a servant of two masters is a person who tries to serve many people at once.

To serve mammon (to be overly focused on wealth, material goods). "You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24). Mammon means wealth or earthly goods.

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which God punished because of the lasciviousness of their inhabitants (Gen. 19:24-25), are known from the Book of Genesis. The expression "Sodom and Gomorrah" can refer to the sin of same-sex sexual relations or to brutal immorality in general.

"You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13) are the words of Jesus Christ in relation to His followers. In modern common usage salt of the earth means people who are concerned both about their spiritual and moral purity and spiritual prosperity of the society (in ancient times salt was seen as a symbol of purity).

The vanity of vanities. It refers to the smallness of man's works and labours in the sight of God. "Vanity of vanities» says the Preacher; «Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

This expression has its origin in the narrative of the Judean siege of the city of Jericho, when, the walls of the city collapsed in connection with the sound of the sacred trumpets and the thunderous shouting of the besiegers. (Num. 6). In modern usage, the expression "trumpet of Jericho" means an excessively loud sound, roar, voice, etc.

Outer darkness (symbol of hell). "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 8:12). The Church Slavonic word for outer darkness "тьма внешняя-t'ma vneshnyaya" is pitch darkness "тьма кромешная-t'ma kromeshnaya".

The story of Pilate washing his hands as a sign of innocence is from Matthew's Gospel: "When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." (Matthew 27:24). In the modern secular language, the expression "washing one's hands" can mean: to withdraw from the case; to avoid responsibility, etc.

Pharisaism (hypocrisy). The Pharisees were a religious-political group in ancient Judea, whose representatives were characterised by their ostentatious strict observance of the rites of the Old Testament religion. Christ, denouncing religious hypocrisy, often called them hypocrites: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites" (Matt. 23:13-15; Luke 11:44).

A fig leaf (an insufficient, superficial excuse for something, as well as a hypocritical covering for something shameful). Adam and Eve, who knew shame after the fall (eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil), sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings (Genesis 3:7). Sculptors often used fig leaves to depict the naked body.

The apostle Thomas did not immediately believe in the resurrection of Christ: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). Nowadays the expression "doubting Thomas", used in a broad sense, means: a doubting person.

"Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11) (see also: Luke 11:3) are words from the Lord's Prayer. In secular usage, "daily bread" is that which is necessary for life.

The expression "the windows of heaven" is recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures, in the story of the Flood: "all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. (и҆ хлѧ̑би небє́сныѧ ѿверзо́шасѧ – i' khlyabi nebesnyya otverzoshasya)" (Genesis 7:11). The Church Slavonic word for "windows" is "хляби –khlyabi" Nowadays, the expression "the windows of heaven" can be used in a joking form, meaning heavy rain.

To keep as the apple of one's eye (to keep as the most precious thing). "Keep me as the apple of Your eye; ..." (Psalm 16:8). "He kept him as the apple of His eye." (Deuteronomy 32:10).

Cain's seal of civilisation

The mark of Cain is an illustration, an expression of the fact that a person who has betrayed himself to the devil is being changed. He is not only changed in his soul, but even in his whole being. Look at a person who obviously sins: here, for example, a thief, a racketeer, looking at his face, you can see that he is like a person, but as if he is not, partly. This is the mark of Cain, the seal of the Evil One, manifested on his face.

Archpriest Maxim Kozlov

Ham is one of Noah's three sons (Ham, Shem, Japheth) from whom "the whole earth was inhabited" after the Flood. From the Bible narration we see that he was disrespectful to his father, in consequence of which his son (Noah's grandson) – Canaan – was cursed (Gen. 9:25). Earlier in the Russian language the word "хам – kham" did not exactly correspond to the modern meaning "ill-mannered rude person", but was synonymous with the word "slave, mob" remembering the unfortunate Canaanites. It is enough to mention the swear word "boorish brat" or the famous proverb "there will be no master from a boor". The word quickly became part of the common language of the nobility, by which it used to refer to the lower classes. Today, the word "ham" means a rude, ill-mannered person.

"To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. (Tit.1:15) They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Tit.1:16)".

The feast of King Belshazzar of Babylon is reported in the Bible (Book of Daniel, 5); during this feast the king showed sacrilege and blasphemy, in connection with which a mysterious hand inscribed writing on the wall, that foretold death to the king; in the same night Belshazzar was murdered, and his kingdom was conquered by Darius the Midian.

Used in the meaning of "a cheerful, frivolous life during some disaster." "To live by Belshazzar" – careless luxury.

Traditionally, these words refer to a lie that is perfectly acceptable – excused by the fact that it supposedly is for the good of the one being deceived.

But this catchphrase is due to an incorrect interpretation of the biblical text. The Bible does not contain the expression "white lie". In the Church Slavonic translation of the text of the Bible there is an expression: "A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength." (Psalm 32:17). The Russian translation of this verse is: " The horse is unreliable for salvation, he will not deliver by his great strength." Thus, the statement here is not about lying for salvation, but about the inappropriateness of choosing reliance on a horse (solely on one's own strength, military might, etc.) over reliance on God.

Let us beat our swords into plowshares (a call for disarmament). Plowshares is a plough.

The word "antediluvian" is used to mean: very old, existing as if almost before the Flood.

The Old Testament Scriptures contain many passages with the word "sign" in use. In particular, there is a fragment with the use of the phrase "the sign of the times" (Sir 43:6), as well as: " And if anyone longs for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come; she understands turns of speech and the solutions of riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders and of the outcome of seasons and times. " (Wis. 8:8). In the Holy Scripture of the New Testament, it is used exactly in the form, presented in the question: "Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times." (Matthew 16:3). In modern usage, a sign of the times is a phenomenon characteristic of the time that it marks.

Thirty pieces of silver (symbol of betrayal). For thirty pieces of silver Judas betrayed Christ to the chief priests (Matthew 26:15). This amount is called the value of the Priced One (Matthew 27:9). The prophets Jeremiah (Jeremiah, chaps. 18,19 and 32) and, with literal precision of fulfilment, Zechariah (Zech.11:12) predicted about this value of the Priced One. This value of the Priced One is taken from the valuation of the life of a slave or slave-girl under the law of Moses. In the Second Book of Moses Exodus we read: «If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted. (Ex.21:28)... But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. (Ex.21:29).... If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. (Ex.21:32). It is clear that the life of the slave was valued at thirty shekels of silver and the owner of the slave was paid this amount for the death of the slave.