You can't get blood out of a turnip

Posted by Rich Sue Woodruff on January 06, 2007

Could this phrase come from the story in the Bible about Cain and Abel in Genesis 4? "Abel kept flocks (a shepherd/rancher), and Cain worked the soil (a farmer). In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from from some of the firstborn of his flock (a meat offering requiring bloodshed). The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor." (NIV)
In the Old Testament God required a blood offering for sin. Hence, you can't get blood out of a turnip.

• You can't get blood out of a turnip ESC 07/January/07
  • Blood ... turnip R. Berg 07/January/07