Biblical Idioms and Metaphors 2 Quiz

Answer: Adam and Eve

To fall from grace is an idiom which means to lose one's good name or other status as a result of making a serious mistake. This could involve losing one's job, reputation, prestige or awards. For example, "Lance Armstrong fell from grace in a doping scandal, resulting in him being stripped of his seven Tour De France titles".

Adam and Eve fell from God's grace when they ate forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge after God specifically told them not to. They were banished from the Garden of Eden as punishment.

Falling from grace is also mentioned in Paul's letter to the Galatians. Paul warned against ceasing to trust in God's gift of grace, which is freely given, and instead trying to earn it by strict adherence to rules.

Biblical references: Genesis 3:22-24, Galatians 5:4.

Answer: Joab

Joab was King David's nephew and the commander of his army. Joab wanted to manipulate the king into forgiving and bringing his son Absolom home. To achieve this he instructed a wise woman from Tekoah on what to say to the king to persuade him. 2 Samuel 14:3 tells us, "So Joab put the words in her mouth" (NKJV).

The expression means to suggest that someone said or meant something that he or she did not actually say or mean or to misrepresent what someone actually said. For example, "When I said the autobahn was constructed under Hitler, I wasn't defending him. Don't put words in my mouth".

Biblical reference: 2 Samuel 14:3

Answer: Job

To describe someone as being "nothing but skin and bones" means that they are extremely thin. The saying is derived from the Old Testament book of Job. In Job's time, personal misfortune was viewed as being a punishment from God for one's sins. Job lost his health, his wealth, and his family to test his faith, despite being a virtuous man. Job's friends expressed the idea that he was sinful and thus deserving of his suffering. Job defended himself with a lengthy speech, during which he stated that he was nothing but skin and bones and had escaped only by the skin of his teeth. He begged his friends to have pity on him.

Biblical reference: Job 19:20-22

Answer: John the Baptist

"Baptism of fire" in the modern idiom refers to any first experience that is difficult or dangerous, such as a challenging first day in a new job, or a soldier's first experience at being under fire.

In the books of Matthew and Luke, John the Baptist is recorded as saying, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who cometh after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (KJV).

Bibical references: Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16.

Answer: Noah

In ancient Greece, the olive was sacred to Athena. It was a symbol of peace and fertility. A crown of wild olive was the highest honour bestowed upon a citizen and was the highest prize in the ancient Olympic Games.

In the Old Testament, the cessation of the flood was demonstrated to Noah by the return of a dove with an olive branch in its beak. The olive branch symbolises a new peace between God and humanity.

To extend an olive branch means to make overtures for peace after a disagreement or altercation.

Biblical reference: Genesis 8:11

Answer: Moses

A land of milk and honey, in the modern sense, refers to a place where resources such as food and money are plentiful and life is easy and pleasant. Many people have migrated to countries such as Australia and America because they were perceived as "a land of milk and honey".

God promised the Israelites a new land. He told Moses, "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" (NKJV).

Biblical reference: Exodus 3:8

Answer: Hezekiah

To put one's house in order could simply mean to tidy or clean one's house but its meaning is not usually that literal. It typically refers to organising one's affairs as necessary, often in preparation for a major change in one's life. This could refer to actions such as making a will, organising one's finances or mending relationships. In the modern idiom, an example of usage might be, "Before you criticise me, first make sure your own house is in order".

The prophet Isaiah told King Hezekiah of Judah, who was very ill, that the Lord said to "set your house in order" for Hezekiah was going to die (NKJV).

Biblical reference: 2 Kings 20:1, Isaiah 38:1

Answer: False prophets

If a person is described as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" it means that they are an enemy posing as a friend. They appear to be harmless and pleasant (like a sheep), but they are predators (like a wolf) who are untrustworthy or have an ulterior motive. A good contemporary example would be online scammers who appear helpful and friendly but are trying to steal your personal information.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes false prophets as wolves in sheep's clothing: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (NKJV).

Biblical reference: Matthew 7:15-20

Answer: Jesus

To go the extra mile means to make an extra effort, exceeding the effort one is required to make, on behalf of another person. The saying comes from the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus said, "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles" (NIV).

In that time, the law allowed Roman soldiers in occupied territories to compel civilians to carry their heavy packs for one mile. Jesus was telling the crowd to show their strength by giving their enemy more than they were required to.

Matthew 5:41

Answer: Abraham

There are several biblical references to a "ripe old age":
Genesis 15:15 - You yourself (Abraham) will live to a ripe old age, die in peace, and be buried (GNT).
Genesis 25:8 - And at a ripe old age he (Abraham) breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people (NIV).
1 Chronicles 29:28 - He (David) died at a ripe old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth, and honor. Then his son Solomon ruled in his place (NLT).
Job 5:26 - You (Job or a righteous person) shall come to your grave at a ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season (NLT).

As an idiom, a "ripe old age" is fairly obvious in its meaning. If someone is described as living to a ripe old age, it indicates that they have lived a long life.

Strangely, Methusaleh, known as the oldest man in the Bible, isn't described that way. Genesis 5:27 simply tells us, "So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died" (NKJV). (Not much of an epitaph really).

Biblical references: Genesis 5:27, Genesis 15:15, Genesis 25:8, 1 Chronicles 29:29, Job 5:26.