Many pithy (concise and forcefully expressive) sayings fill our everyday conversations, yet most people have no idea where they came from.
It should not surprise us that many of these expressions first appeared in the Bible, long before they entered common speech. This highlights how Scripture has deeply shaped human life, relationships, and even the way we talk. The fact that so many of these sayings are still in use today underscores the timeless relevance of God’s Word.
The book, Who Said That? Common Everyday Sayings shares 140 of these familiar sayings that have biblical origins. When you hear one of these phrases, start a conversation by simply asking, “Who said that?” Be ready to share the biblical origin of the saying and gently turn the conversation toward spiritual matters and a meaningful conversation about Jesus.
Now, who said...
“Yada, Yada, Yada”
Excerpt from the book “Who Said That? Common Everday Sayings from the Bible.”
The phrase “yada, yada, yada” was popularized in the late 1990s by its repeated use in conversations on the 1997 Seinfeld TV episode titled “The Yada Yada.” This phrase has come to mean “and so on and so forth” but also has a more literal meaning.
It is used primarily in informal conversation to eliminate undesirable or insignificant details, thereby replacing portions of a story or explanation. Because it is assumed that the listener is aware of the information omitted, the phrase implies “you know what I’m talking about.”
Most people who use this phrase have no idea of its biblical origin. Yada is the Hebrew word that means “to know,” so this phrase can easily be understood to mean “you know, you know, you know.”
Yada in the Bible
Although the repetitive, three-times use of the word yada is not found in the Bible to replace words or portions of text, the word “yada” is used a lot. Some examples include the following (NKJV, all emphasis and bracketed information added):
Exodus 29:46 “And they shall know [yada] that I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.
Job 9:2 “Truly I know [yada] it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God? 
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know [yada] that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!Habbakuk 2:14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge [yada] of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.
The God of all creation knows (yada) you!
Exodus 33:17 So the LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know [yada] you by name.”
Psalm 37:18 The LORD knows [yada] the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever.
Psalm 139:1-2 O LORD, You have searched me and known [yada] me. You know [yada] my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew [yada] you…
The big question is: Do you know Him?
Ecclesiastes 3:14 I know [yada] that whatever God does, It shall be forever.
Ecclesiastes 7:25 I applied my heart to know [yada], To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things…
Psalm 9:10 And those who know [yada] Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 39:4 “LORD, make me to know [yada] my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know [yada] how frail I am.
He knows you!
Psalm 44:21 Would not God search this out? For He knows [yada] the secrets of the heart.
Psalm 69:5 O God, You know [yada] my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You.
Do you know Him?
Psalm 135:5 For I know [yada] that the LORD is great, And our Lord is above all gods.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows [yada] Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.
In John 14:4, 6, Jesus said,
“…the way you know [yada]…
I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Want to go to Heaven? Yada Jesus! (click here)
Get the Book...
Who Said That? shares more than 140 familiar sayings and explores their origins—often revealing surprising roots in Scripture itself. Add it to an Easter basket. Tuck it in a Christmas stocking. Bring it as a hostess gift. Give it to someone you care about or buy it for yourself.
Why? Because it’s easy to start everyday conversations, but not always easy to start a conversation about matters of spiritual importance. Who Said That? helps you turn the talk.
Jesus commissioned us to tell others who He is and the saving grace He offers. So we must listen for opportunities to “turn the talk.” Hearing a common saying—or using one in your own speech—opens a “door” to share its origin in the Bible, discuss the relevance of God’s Word, and highlight the significance of the Person who wrote it.
Who Said That? is a fun, eye‑opening way to move ordinary conversation toward eternal truth. As you walk through more than 140 everyday expressions, you’ll discover how many of them trace back to Scripture and how easily they can lead into meaningful, gospel‑centered discussions.
This book can also serve as a gentle, conversation‑style “tract” for your non‑believing family and friends. It simply looks at the origins of phrases we all use…until the final pages, where the familiar Hebrew saying “yada, yada, yada” (“you know, you know, you know”) becomes a powerful spiritual question: “God knows [yada] you—do you know [yada] Him?” From there, the book presents the gospel clearly and invites the reader to repent and trust in Christ, making it a simple, non‑threatening way to share the good news with someone who may be uninterested or unwilling to listen to a traditional gospel presentation.
Read a Sample of the Book. CLICK HERE
About the Author: SHARI ABBOTT is a Christian apologist, author, and the founder and president of Reasons for Hope* Jesus. Shari is passionate about equipping and encouraging Christians to know Jesus better, love Him more, and confidently share the hope found only in Him. She is the author of numerous books, including Why the Butterfly, Remember Me, Who Said That, Got Questions 1,2,3&4, Fun with Shuns—Biblical Words Ending in -tion, How to Witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hear, See, Speak No Evil, Misinterpreted 1&2, Quotable Quotes 1&2, 40 Names of Jesus, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, Big Questions from Little Hearts, Seasons of Our Lives Daily Devotions, and Bible commentary books. Visit our store.Have our resources inspired or encouraged you on your faith journey? If so, we invite you to partner with us and receive a free gift. Learn more here.
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