Does the Bible say it?
“This too shall pass”: is it in the Bible?
No, this phrase is not in the Bible. It is an old Persian saying, later retold in English by Edward FitzGerald and quoted by Abraham Lincoln. The Bible does carry the same comfort in different words: what is seen is temporary, and God's word endures forever.
What it actually is
The saying is usually traced to medieval Persian Sufi poets. It entered English through Edward FitzGerald’s retelling “Solomon’s Seal” (1852) and was made famous in America when Abraham Lincoln repeated it in an 1859 address.
The popular legend that ties it to King Solomon’s ring is itself a later folk tale, not something found in the book of Proverbs or anywhere in Scripture.
What the Bible actually says
The comfort people reach for in the phrase is genuinely biblical, only stated more hopefully:
A better question than the quote
Behind every “is this in the Bible?” is a gentler one: what does the Bible actually say, and who is the Jesus at the center of it? You do not have to take our word for it, ours least of all. Read his own words and see for yourself. It costs nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.
Meet JesusHis words and actsRead the Gospel of JohnJesus Christ is Lord.
Frequently asked questions
- Is “This too shall pass” in the Bible?
- No. The phrase is not in the Bible. It is an old Persian saying popularized in English by Edward FitzGerald and Abraham Lincoln.
- What Bible verse is closest to “This too shall pass”?
- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, which says the things that are seen are temporary while the things unseen are eternal, carries a similar and even more hopeful comfort.