The Influence of the Bible on the English Language

When examining the role played by different renditions of Holy Scripture in shaping the English language, it is crucial to avoid conflating the influence of thought and imagery with that of actual words and phrases. An instance often cited is St. Paul's notable image, "sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal," in the opening of 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, praised as a remarkable feat by the English translators. However, delving into the Latin "aes sonans aut cymbalum tinniens" from which early translators like Wyclif derived their renditions, one can discern limited choices of words. The virtue of the passage lies in the image itself, an invention of St. Paul. Even when reforming translators had St. Paul's Greek version, they couldn't surpass what the Latin had already provided.

Conversely, Tyndale's rendering, "Babble not much," for the Greek "me battalogesete" (Matt. VI, 7), was a superior interpretation of a challenging expression than the Authorized Version's "Use not vain repetitions." Yet, the latter has persisted in literary language, while "hobble," found by Tyndale, continues in colloquial use.

Although the Authorized Version (1611), directed by King James I, significantly influenced phrase-making, earlier versions of the Modern English period also left their imprint. The Anglican Prayer-book, first issued in 1549 and revised in 1662, shares a notable influence akin to the King James translation. For instance, in The Lord's Prayer from St. Matthew, the Authorized Version has "Forgive us our debts," following both Latin and Greek "received text." In contrast, the Anglican Prayer-book, drawing from Tyndale's New Testament, reads, "Forgive us our trespasses." This difference, such as the rendering of "trespasses," has broadened the usage of the originally legal term "trespas." Noteworthy expressions like "scapegoat," "Prodigal son," and "mess of pottage" entered the language not through Scripture translations but via chapter-headings in pre-Authorized Version Bibles.

The well-known phrase "sweat of thy brow," despite its absence in any existing version of Genesis (III, 19), where "sweat of thy face" is commonly agreed upon, seems to have survived from one of the Lollard versions of the Bible that existed and vanished during the fifteenth century.

Tyndale, despite his purported aversion to 'poetry,' possessed a talent for crafting impactful phrases and providing idiomatic yet beautiful renderings. Much of his phraseology has endured in the English language, as it was seamlessly adopted by King James's translators. This is a significant reason why the Bible's profound influence on English lies in its capacity as a phrase-maker.

While some words and phrases stem from the innovations of Biblical translators, apart from the Authorized Version, such as Tyndale's "scapegoat," Coverdale's "tender-hearted" and "loving kindness," or phrases from the Geneva version and the Douay-Rheims Bible, the Authorized Version stands out in its phrases, prose-rhythm, syntax, and stylistic nuances, exerting a lasting impact on both literary language and, to some extent, ordinary speech.

Sacred truths, naturally, carry an archaic tone, a departure from daily life, imbued with mystery and symbolic imagery. King James's translators justified infusing a slightly archaic flavor into their English, replacing Tyndale's colloquialisms with a more dignified parlance. Tyndale had claimed the ability to make theology accessible to the plough-boy, emphasizing the need for

remote and dignified language in aspects of divine revelation. The Authorized Version's compromise between literalness and Tyndale's colloquialism, coupled with a respect for tradition, reflects the translators' English genius.

The Authorized Version's slight archaizing tendency may have contributed to the revival and permanence of some words, such as "damsel" and "raiment." This could be attributed to the increasing popularity of romances like Malory's "Morte d'Arthur" in the sixteenth century. Tyndale's gift for phrasing, particularly evident in the Old Testament, has seamlessly transferred through the 1611 Bible into the language. The well-known phrases like "the burden and heat of the day," "eat, drink and be merry," "the powers that be," and "the fatted calf" all owe their existence to Tyndale. His literal renditions of certain religious terms were often replaced in the Authorized Version by traditional English words, indicative of a somewhat static view of language. His attempts, like using "senior" for "priest," "congregation" for "church," and "favour" for "grace," suggest a desire to eliminate what he considered superstitious connotations. However, before his death, Tyndale had begun revising some of these choices. The English word "charity" has significantly evolved through its restoration, replacing Tyndale's "love" in the famous passage in 1 Corinthians XIII. Tyndale's imaginative phrase, "to the poor is the glad tidings preached," left an enduring mark on the language, reflected in the Authorized Version's "to the poor the Gospel is preached."

Simply making a habit of hearing portions of the Bible on Sundays, even in a semi-drowsy or inattentive state, has the remarkable effect of ingraining its phrasing and rhythm into one's mental framework. Consequently, these elements surface unexpectedly in various contexts. The extensive impact of the Bible on English prose rhythm, phrasing, and enduring images is evident. Its translations continue to influence language, producing echoes and imagery long after familiarity with it has waned or ceased deliberate imitation.

The written language, particularly in more facile forms of composition, abounds with phrases and images, and novel constructs inspired not directly by the Bible but by strata in English rooted in the Authorized Version and its predecessors. Even spoken language retains traces of these influences. For instance, someone saying, "I wash my hands of the whole business" unconsciously echoes an image derived from the account of Pilate washing his hands in public (Matt. XXVII, 24). Another example is the vulgar expression "gone to kingdom come," likely inspired by the Lord's Prayer. Phrases like "cared for none of those things" and "common or unclean" find their origins in the accounts of Gallio (Acts XVIII, 17) and Acts XI, 8, respectively.

The extensive influence of Biblical names and stories pertains more to cultural history than language per se, mostly aligning with Common European culture rather than specifically with English. Regarding Biblical English phraseology, it's noteworthy that two verses from The Song of Solomon in the Authorized Version (Chap. II, 11 and 12) contain familiar phrases in the literary language. Strangely, many educated individuals are unaware that these phrases, such as "for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone," have Biblical origins. For example, Wordsworth's use of "the rain is over and gone" in "Lines Written in March" or the American play titled "The Voice of the Turtle" are instances where the connection to The Song of Solomon is often overlooked.