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An “Unknown” Luther Translation of the Bible

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2020

Heinz Bluhm*
Affiliation:
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Abstract

Luther's German writings contain a large number of Biblical quotations, many of which differ from his translations of these same passages in his formal Bible. It is obvious that he generally did not take time to look up a passage in his published versions, but produced a new, ad hoc translation which was the inspiration of the moment. The variorum Weimar edition of Luther's Bible, now complete in twelve volumes, regrettably does not include these informal quotations. From among all the casual quotations occurring in Luther's German writings, a few examples from the New Testament are presented and discussed in this article, along with the corresponding texts of the Greek original, the Vulgate, and the pre-Lutheran German Bibles, as well as Luther's official renderings. Luther's ad hoc translations are often even more vivid and concrete than his official Bible itself. They might be said to constitute a new Luther Bible—one which is not complete, to be sure, but which includes many if not most of the great scriptural passages. These casual quotations are fresh evidence of Luther's impressive stature as a literary figure. They should be included in any new variorum edition of Luther's German Bible.

Type
Research Article
Information
PMLA , Volume 84 , Issue 6 , October 1969 , pp. 1537 - 1544
Copyright
Copyright © Modern Language Association of America, 1969

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References

1 Weimarer Ausgabe (hereafter referred to as WA), 302, 638. 2 St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia Publishing House, 1965, pp. 151 ff.

3 Heinz Bluhm, “The Sources of Luther's Septembertesta-ment: The Epistle to the Galatians,” in Luther for an Ecumenical Age (St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia Publishing House, 1967), pp. 144–171.

4 Quoted from Novum Testamentum Graece et Germanice, ed. E. Nestle, 3rd ed. (Stuttgart: Privilegierte Wiirttemberg-ische Verlagsanstalt, 1904).

5 Anticipates the edition of 1530.