Luther Bible in German (DELUT)

DIE LUTHERBIBEL

The Luther Bible is the most traditional German translation of the Bible. No translation has shaped the German language and literature as much as the Luther Bible. And its impact is unbroken to this day. Terms like "Fire Rider" or "Memorandum" and well-known idioms like "Throw pearls before swine" come from her. And when the Bible is quoted in novels or films, it is often in the text of the Luther Bible.

The Luther Bible goes back to the translation work of Martin Luther. Many know the story: Martin Luther was kidnapped on his way back from the Reichstag in Worms and hidden in the Wartburg as “Junker Jörg”. In his study high above Eisenach he tackled the translation of the Bible and in the winter of 1521/1522 translated the New Testament into German within a few weeks. The edition appears in print in September 1522. The first complete edition of the Old and New Testament followed in 1534.

The Luther Bible, as it IS commonly used today, also goes back to the translation work of Martin Luther. But over time, knowledge in the field of biblical studies has been added, and the German language has also expanded. So it became necessary again and again to cautiously adapt the wording of the Luther Bible to these changes. In the course of four church official revisions (1892, 1912, 1984 and 2017), the Luther Bible has been subjected to a thorough review. This should ensure that the Luther Bible can continue to be used as a basis in schools and communities.

Due to its long tradition, the Luther Bible is one of the linguistically most demanding Bible translations. It is primarily aimed at members of the core evangelical congregations who grew up with the Luther text, as well as readers with historical background and aesthetic demands.