{"id":332,"date":"2012-12-12T16:18:30","date_gmt":"2012-12-12T16:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/efnl.org\/rom\/?p=332"},"modified":"2012-12-12T16:20:48","modified_gmt":"2012-12-12T16:20:48","slug":"idiom-bird-in-hand-two-in-the-bush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/efnl.org\/rom\/english-idioms\/idiom-bird-in-hand-two-in-the-bush\/","title":{"rendered":"A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"bird_hand\"An idiom <\/a>is a natural manner of speaking to a native speaker of a language.\u00a0 The English language has many idioms that have a message in them.\u00a0 I’ve used idioms for years and had no idea of the Biblical roots behind them.\u00a0 Idioms are phrases that have a meaning shared in a creative way. I would like to present an idiom to you in this article and then examine its roots to see the importance of understanding this idiom as we learn how to use it in our everyday conversations.<\/p>\n

The idiom that I would like to present is, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” and it means “Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because chances are you might lose everything”.<\/p>\n

This “Bird in the hand” idiom has its roots in the Bible. In the Old Testament <\/a>book of Ecclesiastes <\/a>written by the wisest man who ever lived, with the exception of Jesus Christ, King Solomon<\/a>, the 3rd king of Israel.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1<\/span> For I have taken<\/span> all<\/span> this<\/span> to my heart<\/span> and explain<\/span> <\/a>it that righteous<\/span> men<\/span>, wise<\/span> men<\/span>, and their deeds<\/span> are <\/a>in the hand<\/span> of God<\/span>. <\/a>Man<\/span> does not know<\/span> whether<\/span> it will be <\/a>love<\/span> or<\/span> hatred<\/span> ; anything<\/span> <\/a>awaits<\/span> him. <\/span> 2<\/span> <\/a>It is the same<\/span> for all<\/span>. There is <\/a>one<\/span> fate<\/span> for the righteous<\/span> and for the wicked<\/span> ; for the good<\/span>, for the clean<\/span> and for the unclean<\/span> ; for the man who offers<\/span> a sacrifice<\/span> and for the one who<\/span> does not sacrifice<\/span>. As the good<\/span> man<\/span> is, so is the sinner<\/span> ; as the swearer<\/span> is, so is the one who <\/a>is afraid<\/span> to swear<\/span>. <\/span> 3<\/span> This<\/span> is an evil<\/span> in all<\/span> that is done<\/span> under<\/span> the sun<\/span>, that there is <\/a>one<\/span> fate<\/span> for all<\/span> men<\/span>. Furthermore<\/span>, <\/a>the hearts<\/span> of the sons<\/span> of men<\/span> are full<\/span> of evil<\/span> and <\/a>insanity<\/span> is in their hearts<\/span> throughout their lives<\/span>. Afterwards<\/span> they go to the dead<\/span>. <\/span> 4<\/span> For whoever<\/span> <\/span> is joined<\/span> with all<\/span> the living<\/span>, there<\/span> is hope<\/span> ; surely<\/span> a live<\/span> dog<\/span> is better<\/span> than<\/span> a dead<\/span> lion<\/span>. <\/span> <\/strong>5<\/span> For the living<\/span> know<\/span> they will die<\/span> ; but the dead<\/span> <\/a>do not know<\/span> anything<\/span>, nor<\/span> have<\/span> they any<\/span> longer<\/span> a reward<\/span>, for their <\/a>memory<\/span> is forgotten<\/span>. <\/span> 6<\/span> Indeed<\/span> their love<\/span>, their hate<\/span> and their zeal<\/span> have already<\/span> perished<\/span>, and they will no<\/span> longer<\/span> have<\/span> a <\/a>share<\/span> in all<\/span> that is done<\/span> under<\/span> the sun<\/span>. <\/span> 7<\/span> Go<\/span> then, <\/a>eat<\/span> your bread<\/span> in happiness<\/span> and drink<\/span> your wine<\/span> with a cheerful<\/span> heart<\/span> ; for God<\/span> has already<\/span> approved<\/span> your works<\/span>. <\/span> 8<\/span> Let your <\/a>clothes<\/span> be white<\/span> all<\/span> the time<\/span>, and let not <\/a>oil<\/span> be lacking<\/span> on your head<\/span>. <\/span> 9<\/span> Enjoy<\/span> life<\/span> with the woman<\/span> whom<\/span> you love<\/span> all<\/span> the days<\/span> of your <\/a><\/a>fleeting<\/span> life<\/span> which<\/span> He has given<\/span> to you under<\/span> the sun<\/span> <\/a>; for this<\/span> is your <\/a>reward<\/span> in life<\/span> and in your toil<\/span> in which<\/span> you have labored<\/span> under<\/span> the sun<\/span>. (Ecclesiastes 9)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

From this passage we learn that there are two paths on this road of life:<\/p>\n

1. One path is for people who want to live life their own way, according to their own desires. This passage describes them as being:<\/p>\n