TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE, TIMELINE OF

TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE, TIMELINE OF A timeline showing a selection of significant translations of the Bible before 1800.

Background

The history of Bible translations begins before the time of Christ, with Jewish translations of the Old Testament into Greek in the Septuagint, and into Aramaic in the earliest Targums. As Christianity spread throughout the ancient world over the first few centuries AD, the Bible was translated into a variety of languages for use in church services. Some of these languages, such as Syriac and Latin, had established written traditions, while in others, such as Armenian, writing was introduced by missionaries.

Through much of history, it was rare for all books of the Bible to be copied in a single manuscript. More often, manuscripts contained single books or smaller collections of books, such as the Gospels, the letters of Paul, or the five books of Moses. Pre-modern biblical translations often followed the same pattern: Many translations included only a single book or a small collection of books, rather than an entire Testament or the whole Bible. However, some languages did receive translations of the entire Bible, either through a single translation effort or through translations of individual books that eventually added up to cover the whole canon.

In the Near East, Africa, and Eastern Europe a variety of languages continued to be used in the church throughout the Middle Ages, but in Western Europe, Latin became established as the language of the church. Thus, in medieval Western Europe, translations into local languages were produced for private use, not for public reading in churches. In this context, biblical material was often reworked into poetry or expanded works that included commentary, rather than being translated more or less literally. However, even in medieval Western Europe, some biblical translations (rather than reworkings of biblical material) were produced.

The Protestant Reformation prompted a great wave of translations in the 16th century, beginning with Martin Luther’s translation of the Greek New Testament into German. Many European languages received their first printed New Testaments or whole Bibles at this time; in some cases, these had been preceded by translations circulated only in manuscript form. In the 17th and 18th centuries, this wave of translation activity slowed. However, some translation continued, including a few translations into non-European languages. Also during this time, some of the 16th-century translations were revised and updated.

In 1804, the British and Foreign Bible Society was founded, and a new wave of Bible translation began, largely into non-European languages. This wave of translation continues to the present day.

Timeline

This timeline shows select biblical translations from the earliest days until 1800. Translations after 1800 are too numerous to include, even selectively. For information about Bible translations into English, including some published after 1800, see this article: Bible, English Versions of the.

This timeline focuses on translations that meet the following list of criteria:

  •      Translations that stay relatively close to the source text, rather than reworking biblical material into verse or adding substantial commentary.

  •      Translations that are intended to be read as an independent text, as opposed to word-by-word glosses to aid in understanding the text in another language.

  •      Translations that are circulated in multiple manuscripts or printed copies, as opposed to translations produced for a single individual’s library and not distributed further.

  •      Before 1500: translations that include at least one whole book of the Bible.

  •      After 1500: translations that include at least one whole Testament.

In addition, this timeline largely focuses on translations that are firsts in some way, such as a language’s first translation of any biblical book, first translation of the New Testament, first printed translation, etc.; however, some other significant translations are also included. This focus on firsts means that many translations from the 17th and 18th centuries are not listed, because the language in question had already received a published translation in the 16th century.

This timeline draws heavily on Kruyswijk and Barry, “Bible Timeline,” and Ellingworth, “From Martin Luther,” with additional data from other sources listed in the bibliography.

Early 200s BC

Greek

Septuagint

In Alexandria, Genesis—Deuteronomy are translated from Hebrew into Greek for the first time. The rest of the Hebrew Bible is translated later, likely prior to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

2nd century BC–5th century AD

Aramaic

Targums

Interpretive Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Scriptures are derived from oral worship in the synagogues of Mesopotamia, Syria, and Anatolia.

2nd century AD

Latin

Old Latin or Vetus Latina

Biblical books are translated from Greek into Latin. A variety of such translations of varying quality are made in the next few centuries.

2nd–4th centuries

Syriac

The Hebrew and Greek Scriptures are translated into Syriac, with portions based on the Septuagint. The Hebrew Scriptures are translated first, likely by Jewish translators. Multiple translations are produced over the next few centuries; the one used by Syriac churches becomes known as the Peshitta, meaning “simple” or “common.”

Late 3rd century

Coptic

The earliest Coptic translations of biblical books are made into the Sahidic dialect. In the 4th–5th century, translations become more standardized and widespread.

4th century

Latin

Vulgate

The scholar Jerome creates a uniform Latin translation using Hebrew, Greek, and existing Latin texts. This translation becomes standard for the Roman Catholic Church.

4th century

Gothic

Arian bishop Wulfila translates biblical books into Gothic from Greek, including most of the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament.

Early 5th century

Armenian

Mesrob Mashtotz and Sahak Parthev produce the first translation of the Bible into Armenian, based on Greek, Syriac, and perhaps Hebrew.

5th century

Georgian

The Bible is translated into Georgian, possibly by multiple translators working from different source languages.

5th century

Ethiopic

Most biblical books are first translated into Ethiopic.

Late 8th century

Arabic

The earliest known translations of biblical books into Arabic are made. In the 9th century, translations become widespread.

Late 9th century

Old Church Slavonic

Bishop Methodius and his colleagues translate the New Testament and most of the Old Testament, with Apocrypha, from Greek into Old Church Slavonic.

ca. 1000

Old English

West Saxon Gospels

The four Gospels are translated into the West Saxon dialect of Old English.

ca. 1000

Old English

Old English Hexateuch

The first six books of the Old Testament are translated into the West Saxon dialect of Old English.

mid-13th century

Old French

Old French Bible

The entire Bible is translated into French from the Latin Vulgate. This is the oldest known complete biblical translation into a vernacular language of medieval Western Europe. Some books have many added explanations, but most books stick close to the Latin text, with few additions.

14th century

Czech

The whole Bible is translated into Czech.

1350

German

Augsburg Bible

The first surviving complete version of the New Testament in German is translated from the Latin Vulgate.

1382

Middle English

Wycliffe Bible, first version

A Middle English translation is made by Wycliffe, his students, and followers. It is based on the Latin Vulgate. About 10 years later it is revised to use more natural English.

ca. 1415–1440

Hungarian

Hussite Bible

The Bible is translated into Hungarian by Tamás Pécsi and Bálint Újlaki. Only partial manuscripts survive.

1466

German

Mentelin Bible

Johannes Mentelin produces the first complete printed German Bible, using a slightly modernized version of a translation that seems to come from the early 14th century. It is translated from the Latin Vulgate.

1471

Italian

Malermi Bible

Niccolo Malermi publishes the first printed Italian Bible, including the Apocrypha. It is translated from the Latin Vulgate.

1475

Czech

The first printed Czech New Testament is produced by Hussites associated with the University of Prague.

1477

Dutch

The first complete Dutch translation of the Old Testament is printed by Jacob Jacobszoon and Maurice Iemandtszoon of Middelburgh in Delft. It is based on earlier partial translations and corrected to match the Latin Vulgate.

1478

Catalan

Jaime Borrell produces the first published translation of the Bible in Catalan. It is his revision of a translation produced earlier in the century by Bonifacio Ferrer.

1479

Low German

The whole Bible, with Apocrypha, is translated into a Nether-Rhenish dialect of Low German from the Latin Vulgate and printed in Cologne. It is widely used by speakers of the closely-related Dutch.

1488

Czech

The whole Bible is printed in Czech for the first time. It is produced by Hussites associated with the University of Prague, but is also used by Catholics.

1519

Latin

Roman Catholic priest and scholar Erasmus publishes a text of the Greek New Testament accompanied by his own new Latin translation. Both his Greek text and his Latin translation become important sources for 16th-century Bible translators.

1522

German

Luther New Testament

Martin Luther’s translation of the Greek New Testament into contemporary, idiomatic German is published; his Old Testament, translated from Hebrew and Aramaic, appears in portions until the middle of the next decade. The influence of Luther’s translation spreads to neighboring countries embracing the Reformation. Luther includes notes in his Bible against Roman Catholic teachings.

1523

French

Jacques Lefèvre d’Etaples’ New Testament, based on Latin texts, is published.

1526

Dutch

The first complete Dutch Bible is printed by Jacob van Liesvelt. The New Testament is translated from Luther’s New Testament translation, and the Old Testament from the Latin Vulgate. The Apocrypha are included as a separate section.

1526

English

Tyndale’s New Testament

William Tyndale produces the first modern English New Testament, translated from the Greek. In 1530, Tyndale adds a translation of the Pentateuch based primarily on Hebrew. He is executed before he can complete the translation and publication of the Old Testament. Tyndale’s translation becomes a foundation for subsequent versions.

1526

Swedish

A Swedish New Testament is published, translated primarily from Erasmus’ Latin translation of the Greek New Testament.

1527

German

Anabaptists Ludwig Hatzer and Hans Denck publish a version of the Prophets from the Hebrew texts, since Luther’s translation of these books had not yet appeared.

1530

French

Jacques Lefèvre d’Etaples’ complete translation of the Bible, based on Latin texts, is published. It becomes the basis for many later Catholic French translations of the Bible.

1534

German

Luther Bible

Martin Luther’s complete translation of the Bible from the original languages is published. It includes the Apocrypha as a separate section.

1535

English

Coverdale Bible

Coverdale combines and publishes Tyndale’s Pentateuch (Gen-Deut) and New Testament, filling in the rest of the Old Testament with his own translation of the Latin and Luther’s German Bible.

1537

English

Matthew Bible

John Rogers produces an edition of the Bible. He uses Tyndale’s translations where possible, including unpublished translations of Old Testament books. He fills in the rest of the Old Testament with Coverdale’s translation. The translation is pseudonymously attributed to Thomas Matthew.

1539

English

The Great Bible

Coverdale revises Matthew’s Bible. It becomes the first authorized English Bible. It is read aloud in Church of England services.

1540

French

Pierre Robert Olivétan’s French translation of the Bible is published after his death. It is the first French Protestant translation and the first French translation from Hebrew and Greek.

1541

Hungarian

János Erdösi produces the first printed Polish New Testament. It is translated from Greek.

1541

Icelandic

An Icelandic translation of the New Testament is published, based primarily on Luther’s version, but also influenced by the Vulgate and by Erasmus’ Latin translation of the Greek New Testament.

1541

Swedish

The first complete Swedish Bible is published and becomes standard. It relies heavily on Luther’s German Bible.

1543

Spanish

The first published Spanish New Testament is produced by Francisco de Enzinas.

1550

Danish

A complete Danish Bible is published, commissioned by King Christian III and translated by a committee. It is influenced by Luther’s Bible and by earlier Danish partial paraphrases of the Vulgate. It becomes the standard Bible translation in Denmark and Norway.

1553

Polish

Lutheran scholar Jan Seklucjan publishes a Polish translation of the New Testament.

1559

Spanish

Casiodoro de Reina’s translation of the Bible into Spanish is published. This is the first complete printed Spanish Bible, and includes the Apocrypha without separating them out into a separate section.

1560

English

The Geneva Bible

The first entire English Bible translated from the Hebrew and Aramaic Old Testament, and Greek New Testament is created by English people living in John Calvin’s Geneva. Shakespeare and the great Elizabethan poets use this translation.

1563

Polish

Jan Seklucjan publishes the whole Bible in Polish.

1567

Welsh

William Salesby publishes his translation of the New Testament into Welsh.

1571

Basque

Jean Leicarraga’s translation of the New Testament is published.

1582

English

Bishops’ Bible

Bishops of the Church of England create a revision of the Great Bible.

1582

English

Douay-Rheims New Testament

Roman Catholic scholars produce an English translation of the Latin New Testament.

1584

Icelandic

The first complete Icelandic Bible is produced under the direction of Bishop Gudbrandur Thorláksson. It largely incorporates the 1540 Icelandic New Testament, and also relies on Luther’s translation and the Vulgate.

1584

Slovenian

The first complete Slovenian Bible is published in Wittenberg.

1588

Welsh

The first complete Welsh Bible is published. It includes the Apocrypha. William Morgan and associates translated mostly from Hebrew and Greek.

1588

French

The French Geneva Bible

A committee of pastors in Geneva produce a standardized revision of Pierre Robert Olivétan’s 1540 translation. It becomes the dominant French Protestant biblical translation until 1744.

1590

Hungarian

The whole Bible, translated mostly by Gáspár Károlyi, is printed in Polish for the first time. It becomes the standard Bible for Hungarian Protestants.

1602

Spanish

Reina-Valera version

Cipriano de Valera publishes a revision of de Reina’s Spanish Bible translation and places the Apocrypha in a separate section. The Reina-Valera version becomes the standard Protestant Spanish translation.

1609–1610

English

Douay-Rheims Old Testament

Roman Catholic scholars produce an English translation of the Latin Old Testament.

1602

Irish

Nicholas Walsh completes the first Irish New Testament.

1611

English

King James Version (KJV) or Authorized Version

King James I sponsors this version, first published as the “Authorized Version.” It is a revision of the Bishops’ Bible in light of the original languages and other major translations of the previous century. It becomes the first English Bible published without notes that condemn the Roman Catholic Church.

1632

Polish

A revision of Seklucjan’s Polish Bible translation is published and becomes the favored translation among Polish Protestants.

1642

Finnish

The first complete Finnish translation of the Bible is published.

1663

Wampanoag (Massachusetts)

Eliot Indian Bible

John Eliot’s translation of the whole Bible into Wampanoag, a Native American language, is published in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1668

Malay

The first complete New Testament is published in Malay. Portions had been published beginning in 1629.

1679

Romansch

The first complete Bible is published in Romansh, a language spoken in Switzerland.

1688

Romanian

The Bible from Bucharest

The first complete Romanian Bible is published. Both Testaments are translated from Greek by Spatharus (Nicolae) Milescu.

1689

Latvian

The first complete Latvian Bible is published, translated by Ernst Glück and C.B. Witten.

1690

Irish

The first complete Irish Bible is published.

1693

Portuguese

Almeida New Testament

The revised second edition of João Ferreira de Almeida’s New Testament is published in Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia). The first edition of 1681 was not widely circulated because of printing errors and most copies were destroyed.

1701

Lithuanian

The first complete Lithuanian New Testament is published. Gospels and epistles arranged for liturgical reading had been published as early as 1591.

1714–1728

Tamil

The first translation of the Bible into Tamil, a language of India, is produced in installments by Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg and Benjamin Schultze.

1715

Estonian

The New Testament is first published in Estonian. Gospels and epistles arranged for liturgical reading had already been published in the 1630s.

1735

Lithuanian

The entire Bible is first published in Lithuanian.

1739

Estonian

The entire Bible is first published in Estonian.

1719–1751

Portuguese

The entire Bible is published in Portuguese in installments.

1766

Kalaallisut (West Greenlandic)

Poul Egede publishes the first translation of the New Testament into Kalaalisut, an indigenous language of Greenland.

Klippenstein, Rachel. 2016. “Translations of the Bible, Timeline of.” In The Lexham Bible Dictionary, edited by John D. Barry, David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.