Jesus often used cultural idioms so hearers got an accurate understanding of the truth he was trying to convey. Sometimes it’s difficult for modern Bible readers to fully comprehend the message of the idiom. Following are some of the more challenging Biblical idioms.
Kicking Against the Goads
In Acts 9:5 Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus as a bright light. Jesus said to him, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” To kick against the goads is what livestock would do when they were prodded by a cattle prick (goad). They would kick back against the goad and further injure themselves. God was saying to Saul, "You are only hurting yourself by not turning directions and zealously serving me."
Gird Up Your Loins of Your Mind
1 Peter 1:13 tells us to “gird up the loins of your mind.” Gird has a few meanings. One is that gird could be to prepare for action. Dr. Terry Price of Maranatha Baptist College states, “To gird up the loins of your mind means to prepare for strenuous mental activity and warns of the necessity of guard your mind.” Peter is telling his readers that many trials will occur, so we must guard our hearts and minds so that we can persevere.
You Will Heap Coals of Fire on His Head.
In Romans 12:20, this means to make one feel remorse. One view says when a man’s fire burned out (which was shameful) so he went to a neighbor to borrow some live coals, which he put in a container and carried on his head. The person who would give him some live coals would be meeting his desperate need and showing him an outstanding kindness. William Barclay said it best, “Vengeance may break his spirit; but kindness will break his heart …and move him to burning shame”
An Eye For an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth
Jesus said in Matthew 5:38:“You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, ‘Love your enemies.” This does not mean eye or tooth replacement surgery. It is the notion that for every wrong done, there should be a compensating measure of justice.
Beat Your Swords into Plowshares
From Isaiah 2:4 “Beat your swords into plowshares. and your spears into pruning hooks” conveys the idea to turn from war to peace. Thus turning their weapons into impements for farming. Interesting to note that in Joel 3:10 the verse is turned around implying to pursue war.
Strain Out a Gnat, Swallow a Camel
From Matthew 23:24 it says, “Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!”
Jesus is addressing the religious hypocrites. To “strain out a gnat” meant they were being unduly fussy about tiny details of the law for others, but they themselves were sinning greatly by not keeping the law in their hearts.
Stumbling Block
Romans 14:13 admonishes, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” The idiom implies something that might hinder someone in their relationship with God or cause them to sin. A stumbling block was actually the stick of a trap to which the bait is attached, and which when touched springs the trap.
Researching Bible Idioms Will Liven Up Your Understanding
Clever as these are, the point is not only that using the cultural customs of the day was an effective way to use idioms, but also to imprint the meaning in the hearts of the hearers. It’s amazing how these idioms, once understood, make the Biblical messages come alive. All it takes is a little time to research. It’s time well spent.
Sources:
American Idioms and Expressions , Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth, (Acessed November 11, 2011).
Bible Gateway, (Accessed November 11, 2011)
Phrase Finder, The meaning and origin of the phrase: "Beat Your Swods into Plowshares",
(Accessed November 11, 2011)
Scorpio Tales, Expressions and Sayings , (Accessed Novemeber 11, 2011)
