Luther Bible facts for kids
The Luther Bible is a special German Bible translation made by Martin Luther. It was first printed with both the Old and New Testaments in 1534. This Bible became very important for the German language and for the Protestant Reformation.
Contents
Who Was Martin Luther?
Martin Luther was a German monk, priest, and professor who lived in the 1500s. He is famous for starting the Protestant Reformation. This was a big movement that changed Christianity in Europe. Luther believed that people should be able to read the Bible in their own language. Before him, Bibles were mostly in Latin, which most people could not understand.
Why Was This Bible Important?
Making the Bible Accessible
Before the Luther Bible, only priests and scholars could easily read the Bible. Martin Luther wanted everyone to be able to read God's word. He translated the Bible from its original languages (Hebrew and Greek) into German. This made it possible for ordinary people to understand the Bible for themselves.
Shaping the German Language
Luther's translation was not just important for religion. It also had a huge impact on the German language. At the time, there were many different German dialects. Luther's Bible helped to create a standard, common German language. It was read by so many people that it helped unite the different ways Germans spoke and wrote. Many phrases and words from his Bible are still used in German today.
The Printing Press Helps Spread the Word
The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 was very important for the Luther Bible. Before the printing press, books had to be copied by hand, which was very slow and expensive. The printing press made it possible to print many copies of the Bible quickly and cheaply. This helped Luther's translation spread all over Germany and beyond.
How Was It Translated?
Martin Luther worked very hard on his translation. He wanted it to be accurate but also easy to understand for everyday people. He spent many years translating, often working in secret. He used simple, clear language that ordinary German speakers could relate to. He also traveled around to listen to how people spoke different German dialects. This helped him choose words that would be understood by many.
Legacy of the Luther Bible
The Luther Bible remains a very important book in Germany. It is still used by many Protestant churches. It also influenced other Bible translations around the world. For example, the King James Bible in English was partly inspired by Luther's work. His translation showed that the Bible could be translated into common languages. This helped spread the idea of reading the Bible in one's own language across Europe.
Images for kids
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Luther's first study of the Bible
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See also
In Spanish: Biblia de Lutero para niños
