App Profile: Icelandic Holy Bible

It all started around the 1500s when the first real efforts to translate the Bible into Icelandic began to take place. Iceland was part of the Kingdom of Denmark back then, so the translation efforts were often influenced by the Reformation that was sweeping across Europe.

An Icelandic clergyman, worked on translating the New Testament. His version, completed in 1584, was one of the earliest attempts to make the Bible more accessible to Icelanders, but it was far from perfect.

The language of the translation was still pretty difficult, especially for the average person. It was a growing effort, but it wasn’t quite the Bible most Icelanders would read today.

Fast forward to the 19th century, and Iceland had already gone through some major changes. The country was becoming more independent, and the people were increasingly seeking to connect with their roots their own language, culture, and heritage.

In 1815, the Icelandic Bible Society (Bíblíufélagið) was born. Their mission was to make the Bible available to Icelanders in a way they could actually understand.
The society worked tirelessly to update and improve Bible translations to Icelandic Holy Bible better reflect the modern Icelandic language.
Then, in 1912, after much work and refinement, the Icelandic Bible Society released a new translation of the Bible, in modern Icelandic.

But, like with any major piece of work, the Bible translation didn’t stop there. As language continued to evolve, so too did the translation. In 1981, a revised version of the Icelandic Bible was published.

This version took the modern Icelandic used in 1912 and adjusted it to keep up with the changing language and cultural nuances.
The Icelandic Bible continues to be a cherished part of Icelandic life.

While there are now various translations and versions, the Icelandic Bible Society still plays a role in maintaining these translations. For Icelanders, the Bible isn't just a book; it's woven into the fabric of their identity.

It's part of their stories, their heritage, and the deep spiritual connection they've had with their land for centuries.