How are the mighty fallen (2 Samuel 1:19)

The Bible has been the most influential text in all of Western culture. It's difficult to understand medieval or early modern or much of modern literature without knowing it...

Prof. Barbara Newman, Northwestern University
from 2006 Bible Literary project

It's not that it's impossible to read some writers without a Biblical background, but that you would miss a whole dimension to their work.

Prof. Steven Goldsmith, University of California at Berkeley
from 2006 Bible Literary Project

I can only say that if a student doesn't know any Bible literature, he or she will simply not understand whole elements of Shakespeare, Sidney, Spenser, Milton, Pope, Wordsworth

Prof. Robert Kiely, Harvard University
from 2006 Bible Literary Project

...there is truth in the remark. "without Tyndale[Bible translator], no Shakespeare"...

Prof. David Daniell, University College London
from The Bible in English

You can't really study Western literature intelligently or coherently without starting with the Bible.

Prof. Gerald L. Bruns, University of Notre Dame
from 2006 Bible Literary Project

...a familiar understanding of Christian doctrine in historical perspective thus contributes to a fuller appreciation of Shakespeare's art, but Shakespeare's art

Prof. Roland M. Frye
from Shakespeare and the Christian Doctrine

In English tradition and also for an American tradition begun by Puritan writers, a knowledge of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament is even more crucial than classical references.

Prof. Ulrich Knoefplmacher, Princeton University
from 2006 Bible Literary Project

There is no book more important for our culture than the Bible, and it is fundametal to the study of English literature and language.

Prof. David Jasper and Prof. Stephen Prickett
from the Bible and literature

How are the mighty fallen (2 Samuel 1:19)

Picture description: Saul was killed
Picture copyright: V. Gilbert and Arlisle F. Beers

meaning

This expression is used when we gloat over, or quite pleased to see the fall of someone famous or important.

origin and application

“How have the mighty fallen!” Cried David, the great King of Israel as he mourned over the death of his predecessor, King Saul, and his son Jonathon who was a very dear friend of David. Saul was anointed by the Lord as King of Israel, but he gradually deviated from God’s path. More than once, because of his jealousy he tried to kill David. In the end, he died together with his three sons in a battle with the Philistines.

example

Jane: One of the directors of our company was forced to resign after he had been charged by the police.
Tina: How are the mighty fallen!

Keywords

fall mighty

Related Information

NIV official site
Chinese Bible (???)

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How are the mighty fallen (2 Samuel 1:19)

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