The Herne Bible (Hernse Bijbel) was the first nearly complete Bible in a European vernacular. It was created in the second half of the 14th century in the Carthusian monastery of Herne (near Brussels) and is also known by other names: South Netherlands History Bible (Zuid-Nederlandse Historiebijbel), History Bible of 1360, History Bible of 1361 (De Historiebijbel van 1361), Middelnederlandse historiebijbel, First History Bible, Flemish History Bible. It is an influential Middle Dutch translation based on the Vulgate. The translator was a Carthusian monk Petrus Naghel; others refer to the author as “the Bible translator of 1360” ("Bijbelvertaler van 1360"). The text contains the historical books of the Bible and was expanded with various non-biblical stories (based on the 12th-century Latin example of the Historia Scholastica by Petrus Comestor). The Gospels were not translated, but only summarized in a Gospel harmony (Middelnederlandse evangeliënharmonie).

The first part of Petrus Naghel's Bible was completed in 1360. The Gospels were not translated, but only summarized in a Gospel harmony. Notable absentees are the Epistles from the NT and the Revelation of John. The translation was a huge undertaking, estimated to have comprised nearly 5,000 pages or around two million words, and took around 35 years to complete. The manuscript of the Hernse Bible was copied many times, mainly in the Northern Netherlands, as some 45 handwritten copies have survived to this day. This work was one of the most important literary productions of the Middle Ages and prepared the way for later Dutch translations of the Bible, such as the famous Delft Bible of 1477.

A rare Gospel from the monastery Brabant (Rooklooster) near Brussels. Petrus Campenhout is assumed to be the bookbinder or author.

It is clear that this gospel book was translated from the Vulgate, because some phrases and some Latin words were adopted, partly because the translators wanted to translate accurately and partly because they could not always find a suitable Dutch word. 

There is no specific Dutch word for the day of preparation (Nisan 14), but it is described using the Latin term parasceve (parasceue), which was translated from the ancient Greek equivalent (παρασκευή, paraskeuḗ). Mark 15:42 therefore reads: “parasceue was dat es vore dem sabbatum” (It was the day of preparation, that is, before the Sabbath).

What is special about this manuscript is that the Sabbath does not have its own Dutch name, but is described using the Latin sabbatum (Mk 15,42; Mk 16,1), sabbati (genitive singular; Mt 28,1; Mk 16,9) or sabbatorum (genitive plural; Mk 16:2, Jn 20:19) or the pagan saterdach or saterdaghe (=Saturday; Lk 23:54,56, Lk 24:1; see image on the right). 

Facsimiles and Download:

1400  Brabant Gospels, (ÖNB, Cod. Ser. n. 12857),  Link-2

One of the greatest treasures of Dutch Bibles is this very old and very rare manuscript, which has been well translated from Latin (Vulgate) into middle-Dutch (Staatsbibliothek Berlin, Ms. germ. fol. 90). It is not a printed Bible, but a handwritten one.

Title: “Gospels and reflections” (German: Evangelien und Betrachtungen)

Facsimiles and Download:

14xx  Gospels and reflections, (Staatsbibliothek Berlin, Ms. germ. fol. 90)

Other Gospel Books (Evangelistar):

The above source is a complete Gospel book, but several excerpts (Evangelistar) and short summaries of the Bible have been published in Dutch. Here are a few examples:

1488  Evangelistar: Delft Bible New Testament Portions (Archive)

1489 Evangelistar: Sermonen op die evangelien van de zondagen door dat gehele jaar, Author: Jacobus de Voragine; (Bodleian Library Ashm. 1768)

1516  Short Bible, Antwerpen, Gheprent bi Claes de Graue, “De Bibel int corte ghetranslateert. Wten laine ende walsche metten figueren” = “The Bible translated into short form. With figures and illustrations” (Library of Congress)
1712  Epistelen, “Epistelen ende Evangelien met de Gebeden der H. Hercke: Die gelesen worden inde H. Misse gedurende het geheet Jaer Van nieuws overdien ende verbetert” (BDH)

The first printed Bible was the Gutenberg Bible in 1455, which published the Latin text of the Vulgate. The first Bible in a national language was the German Mentelin Bible of 1466. The Delft Bible (Delftse Bijbel, Wikipedia) is the first printed book in Dutch (Low German; at that time, it was called “Bible in duytsche” = Bible in German). The first printed book in Dutch was therefore a Bible. The typesetting of the book was  completed on January 10, 1477, and the work was published in Delft by Jacob Jacobszoon van der Meer and Mauricius Yemantszoon van Middelborch. The Delft Bible was based on the South Dutch Hernse History Bible, which was translated around 1360 by the Bible translator of 1360, alias the Carthusian monk Petrus Naghel, prior of the Carthusian monastery of Herne (1366-1369) in the Pajottenland. The translator based his work on the Vulgate but also, like Maerlant, on the Historia Scholastica. The Delft Bible does not contain the complete Bible, but only the Old Testament, without the Psalms. It is bound in two volumes and has no title or title page. The incipit of part 1 reads: ‘Hier beghint dat prologus vander biblen des ouersetters te duytsche vten latine’ (Here begins the prologue of the Bible of the translator from German to Latin). 

Title: “De Bible in Duytsche is de eerst gedrukte Nederlandstalige bijbel in Nederland. Het werd gedrukt op 10 januari 1477 door Jacob Jacobszoon van der Meer en Mauricius Yemantszoon van Middelborch. De bijbelvertaling omvat het Oude Testament zonder de Psalmen. - Ook bekend onder de titel: Bible. overset te Duijtsche uten Latine.”

Facsimiles and download: 

1477  Delft Bible, info, Wikipedia

1477  Delft Bible, Delft, facsimile and online text (bijbelsdigitaal),   Link2

1477  Delft Bible, Delft, digital text (DBNL)

1477  Delft Bible, Bible in Duytsche, Delft: Jacob Jacobszoon van der Meer (Athenaeumcollecties.nl, 113 E 11 KL) 

Dutch Gospels printed and published by Doen Pietersoen (Doen Pieterz) in Amsterdam. The translator is unknown (Liesvelt?), but this text was widely adopted in the Liesveld Bible of 1526. In addition to the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and Revelation were also translated and are included in the second volume.  

Title 1523: “DIE EVANgelien ons heeren Jesu Christi, inder duytscher sprake, getranslateert. Die welcke sinte Matheus sinte Marcus, sinte Lucas, ende sint Jan bescreven hebben. Ende voor elck Capittel een corte bedudenisse, op dat men weten mach hoe dat elck kersten mensche sculdich is die Evangelien Cristi te lesen, ende dye in zijn herte te draghen, boven alle andere leeringen ende scrifturen. Ende daer in vrijlijck ende ghetrouwelick te leeven ende te sterven. Neerstelick gecorrigeert.”

Translated: “The Gospels of our Lord Jesus Christ, translated into German. Which were written by Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke, and Saint John. And before each chapter a short explanation, so that one may know how every Christian person ought to read the Gospels of Christ, and carry them in his heart, above all other teachings and scriptures. And to live and die freely and faithfully therein. Carefully corrected.”

The Reprint from Cologne 1525

In 1525, the New Testament was reprinted in Cologne (Coellen, Germany) by Hieronem Fuchs. Only minor changes were made to the spelling.

Title 1525: “Dat niwe testament ons heeren Jesu Christi, met alder neersticheyt ouersien ende verduijtst. Een vermaninghe offt onderwijsinghe, om allen Christen menschen, met grooter neersticheyt dat Euangelium te lesen. Evangelium ... Noch salmen hier achter in desen boeck finden sommighe epistolen, genomen wt den ouden testamente, die menn in der missen leest, nw nieuwelick dar by gheset... Gheprint tot Collen, duir Hieronem Fuchs. Anno M.CCCCC.XXV. [1525]”

Translated: “The New Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all humility reviewed and explained. An exhortation or instruction to all Christian people to read the Gospel with greater humility. Gospel ... Also here in this book you will find some epistles taken from the Old Testament, which are read during Mass, now newly added... Printed in Cologne, by Hieronem Fuchs. Anno M.CCCCC.XXV. [1525]”

Facsimiles:

1525  Fuchs NT, Coellen: Fuchs (WLB, B niederländ.152503)

Title 1542: “Den Bybel met groter neersticheyt ghecorrigeert, ende op dye canten ghesedt den ouderdom der werelt, ende hoe langhe die gheschiedenissen ende historien der Bybelen, elc int sijne voor Christus gheboorte gheweest sijn, ende daer bi vergadert wt Fasciculus temporum, ende wt dye Cronike van alder werelt, die principael historien der machtiger Heydenscher Conincrijcken, daer die heylige scrift oock dicwils af vermaent, Nv ooc laetstwerf met groter neersticheyt ghecorrigeert, wt die alder oudtste ende geapprobeertste Copien, die welcke ghedruct sijn Cum Gratia et Priuilegio. Ende dat inhout bouen elcken capittel des seluen Capittels, soo wel des ouden Testaments als des nieuwen Testaments Met noch sommighe schoone verclaringhen op dye canten, dye op dander noyt gheweest en sijn. En laet dit boeck van deser wet wt uwen monde niet comen, mer peynst daer om dach ende nacht. Iosue. I. Ist dat yemant tot v coemt, ende dese leeringhe niet mede en brengt, dien en nemet in uwen huyse niet, en groet hem ooc niet ij.Iohan. i. Mar. vi. Gaet in alle die werelt, ende predict dat Euangelium allen creatueren. Die gheboden des HEREN sijn suyuer, ende si verlichten die ooghen. Psal. xviij.”

Translated 1542: “The Bible corrected with greater accuracy, and on those pages written the age of the world, and how long the events and histories of the Bible each of which occurred before the birth of Christ, and compiled from Fasciculus temporum, and from the Chronicle of the World, the principal histories of the mighty pagan kingdoms, which are also often mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, Now also recently corrected with greater accuracy, from the oldest and most approved copies, which are printed Cum Gratia et Priuilegio. And that content above each chapter of the same chapter, both of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, with some beautiful explanations on those points, which have never been and are not on others. And let this book of this law not come out of your mouth, but ponder it day and night. Joshua I. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house, nor greet him. John I. Mark VI. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creatures. The commandments of the LORD are pure, and they enlighten the eyes. Psalm 18.” 

Willem (Wilhelm) Vorsterman (born unknown, died 1543; Wikipedia) published the first Catholic Dutch Bible in Antwerp, the Vorstermanbijbel (Wikipedia). It was officially approved by the inquisitor Nicolaas Coppijn and sold widely as a counterpoint to the Protestant Liesvelt Bible. Vorsterman's desire to serve a diverse audience is evident from his printing of both the papal bull against Luther in 1520 and six Danish translations of Luther in 1531. According to official sources, it was translated from the Vulgate, but in fact the text corresponded mainly to the Liesvelt Bible. It was therefore a translation that was accepted by both Catholics and Protestants. The translation of the OT bears great similarities to Van Liesvelt's Bible from 1526. However, in certain passages where the Vulgate differed from the Liesvelt text, a translation from the Vulgate was given, while the Liesvelt text was written in the margin. The NT in the first edition 1528 is based on Luther's and Liesvelt's text, while the NT in the 1531 edition is based on Erasmus' text. With 238 illustrations by Jan Swart and Lucas van Leyden, it was one of the most beautiful Bibles of its time. Seven editions were published. However, in 1545, the Council of Trent decided that the only true and authorized Bible was the Latin Vulgate. As a result, the Liesvelt Bible and the Vorsterman Bible were added to the list of banned books. This shows once again that most Christians today are unaware of what a blessing it is to be able to own a Bible without suffering persecution. But who reads it and remembers what is written in it? 

Half of Vorstermans production consists of works in Dutch. But he also produced books in French, Spanish, English, Latin and Danish, including six translations of Luther. The first edition of the Vorsterman Bible from 1528 was presented as a new authorized Catholic Bible translation. However, this edition actually contained quite a bit of previously published Middle Dutch material from the pre-Reformation era, as well as much from Reformation circles. In later editions, essential Reformation passages had already disappeared and it was considerably more in line with the text of the Vulgate. Editions: 1528, 1530/1531, 1532, 1533, 1534 und 1542/1543.

Title 1528/1531: “De Bibel. Tgeheele Oude ende Nieuwe Testament met grooter naersticheyt naden Latijnschen text gecorrigeert, ende opten cant des boecks die alteratie die hebreeusche veranderinge, naerder hebreeuscer waerheyt der boecken die int hebreus zijn, ende die griecse der boecken die int griecs zijn, ende dinhout voor die capittelen gestelt, Met schoonen figueren ghedruct, ende naerstelijck weder ouersien. Cum Gratia et Priuilegio.”

Translated: “The Bible; The entire Old and New Testaments, carefully corrected according to the Latin text / and on the cantus of the book, the alteration, the Hebrew changes / closer to the Hebrew truth of the books that are in Hebrew / and the Greek of the books that are in Greek / and with illustrations placed before the chapters / Printed with beautiful figures and carefully reviewed. Cum Gratia et Privilegio.”

Jan van Utenhove (*1516; †1566; Wikipedia) became known as the translator of the Psalms and the New Testament into Dutch. It was printed in Emden (Germany by Gellius Ctematicus (= Gillis van der Erven). The complete edition of his translation of the Psalms was not published until after Utenhove's death in 1566 by the London-based Dutch preacher Godfried (Govaert) van Wingen (Godefridus Wingius).

The Reformed community wanted a Bible that was based as closely as possible on the original Hebrew and Greek texts. During his stay in Emden, Utenhove produced a translation of the NT, which was published in 1556. Utenhove translated the Greek as literally as possible. He aspired “that one may easily trace [trace] what the aforementioned Greek text contains or does not contain.” The Dutch of the translation was very artificial and incomprehensible to many. This translation hardly sold at all and resulted in considerable losses for the financiers and the publisher Gilles van der Erven. Van der Erven then conceived the plan to publish a complete Bible. Utenhove's translation was largely revised by Johannes Dyrkinus, and this revised translation of the New Testament became part of the Deux-Aes Bible, which was published in 1562.

Title 1556: HET NIEVvve Testament, dat is, Het nieuwe Uerbond onzes Heeren Iesu Christi, Na der Grieckscher waerheyt in Nederlandsche sprake grondlick end trauwlick ouerghezett... Gedruckt te Embden by Gellium Ctematium. An. 1556.

Translated: The New Testament, that is, The New Covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ, Translated from the Greek truth into the Dutch language, thoroughly and faithfully... Printed in Embden by Gellium Ctematium. In the year 1556.

Steven Mierdman (Steuen Mierdman, Stephen Mierdman, Mierdmann, *1510, †1559, Wikipedia) was a printer from Antwerp who first moved to London and printed numerous books in various languages between 1549 and 1553. After the Catholic Queen Mary (Bloody Mary; *1516; †1558; Wikipedia) came to power and had Protestants executed, he fled to Emden (Germany), where he printed a Dutch version of the Bible with the publisher Jan Gheillyart. This Bible was not printed in England, as some sources claim, but in Emden (Embden), as stated on the title page. It is one of the earliest complete Dutch translations of the Holy Scriptures and was produced by an unknown translator who fled Catholic persecution. The translation resembles Luther's Bible text and was written in “common Dutch,” meaning that it was intended to be understandable to a broad population. The Greek source text has been reproduced correctly. 

Title 1558: “Biblia Dat is de gheheele Heylige Schrift, in gemeyn Nederlantsch duytsch... Ghedruct tot Embden by Steuen Mierdman ende Jan Ghellyart. An. MDLVIII [1558]”

Translated: “The Bible, that is, the entire Holy Scripture, in common Dutch... Printed in Embden by Steven Mierdman and Jan Ghellyart. Anno MDLVIII [1558]”

Facsimiles:

1558  Mierdman Bible, Emden (Uni Halle, VD16 B 2845)   

1558  Mierdman Bible, Emden (Post Reformation Digital Library)

From around 1563 onwards, numerous reprints of this text with the mention of Nicholas Biestgens' name, although the text was not identical to the complete Biestkens Bible of 1560. Instead, it was emphasized that this was the text of the “old exemplar by Nicolaes Biestgens” (oude exemplaer van Nicolaes Biestkens). The place of printing was often not specified.

Title NT 1563: “Dat nieuwe Testament ons liefs Heeren Jesu Christi ... gedruckt na de Copie van Nicolaes Biestkens, 1563” - Translated: “The New Testament of our dear Lord Jesus Christ ... printed according to the copy by Nicolaes Biestkens, 1563”

Title 1614: “Dat Nieuwe Testament ons Heeren Jesu Christi ... Naer 'toude ex. van Nicolaes Biestkens”

Title 1602: “Dat Nieuwe Testament ons liefs Heeren Iesu Christi. Gedruct naer het oude exemplaer van Nicolaes Biestkens”

The text of the Liesveldt Bible was inaccurate in some places. Linguistic improvements were not long in coming. In 1560 (OT 1558) a new complete Bible was printed by Nicholas Biestkens van Diest (*1570, †1623), the Biestkensvertaling. It was the first Dutch Bible to include a complete verse count. The translation is based on a Bible edition published in Emden in 1558, the Latin text (Vulgate) and the Luther Bible (printed in Magdeburg in 1554). The first edition is still closely linked to Luther's text, but the many New Testaments that appeared afterwards were translated from the original Greek text and Vulgate. The place of printing is not indicated on the title page. Initially, it was assumed that it was produced in Emden (East Frisia), but more recent research suggests that it may also have been produced in Groessen, a village near Zevenaar (Northern Netherlands). As the letters were small, less paper had to be used. This made the Bible significantly cheaper than others before it. The Biestkens Bible was used by Mennonites and Baptists for a long period of time. Many editions were published until the eighteenth century. Among Lutherans, this translation was replaced in 1648 by the new Lutheran translation by Adolph Visscher, who edited and modified the Biestkens Bible. The last Biestkens Bible was printed in 1721. It was a very accurate translation, stating that Jesus rose on a Sabbath morning (see info). 

In 1563, the printer Lenaert der Kinderen published a slightly revised version of the Biestkens Bible 1560 for the Mennonites. The Bible was printed again in Emden, but the place of printing was not indicated on the title page. From 1561 to 1563, he printed for Christoph Plantin, first in his workshop in Antwerp, then for Plantin and Hendrik Niclaes in Kampen. At the end of 1563, Kinderen came to Emden and worked there with Johan Gailliart.

The short title begins as in the Biestkens Bible 1650:

Title 1563: “Den Bibel, Inhoudende dat Oude ende Nieuwe Testament... Ghedruckt by Lenaert der Kinderen, Int Iaer M.D.LXIII. [1563]”

Translated: “The Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments... Printed by Lenaert der Kinderen, in the year M.D.LXIII. [1563]”

Facsimiles:

1563  Biestgens-Kinderen, (Uni Heidelberg, VD16 ZV 25736),   Link-2

1563  Emden: L. der Kinderen (Google Books) 

1563  Biestgens-Kinderen (British Library, System no 017647359), only visible after subscription

A reprint of the Biestkens Bible 1560 appeared in Amsterdam in 1653, in which only the spelling was slightly altered. This is not a reprint of the Visscherbijbel (Luthersebijbel) 1648.

Title 1653: “Biblia, Dat is de gantsche heylige Schrift D. Mart. Lutheri. Gelijck de selve in de Chrislycke Gemeente der Confessie van Augspurg in de Nederlanden gebruykt wort... Amsterdam, By Ian Lanßen Inde Paskaert, Anno 1653.”

Translated: “Bible, That is, the entire Holy Scripture. Dr. Martin Luther. As used in the Christian Community of the Augsburg Confession in the Netherlands... Amsterdam, By Ian Lanßen Inde Paskaert, Anno 1653.”

Facsimiles:

1653  NL-Luther, Amsterdam: Ianssen (BSB, Augsburg, Th B VIII.34 2) 

1653  NL-Luther, Amsterdam: Ianssen (Google Books) 

The persecution of Protestants intensified in the second half of the sixteenth century, which is why new Dutch Bibles had to be printed abroad. A new edition was printed in Emden (Embden, Germany) by the Flemish printer Gillis van der Erven. It was therefore given the name “Emden Bible”. This Bible was also known as the Deux-Aes Bible, named after a marginal note on Nehemiah 3:5 (Deux aes en heeft niet) included a translation of a saying by Martin Luther that refers to the eyes on a number die: The poor must bear the cross, the rich give nothing, “deux aes en heeft niet” (the poor, 2 and 1, have nothing), “six cincque en geeft niet” (the rich, 6 and 5, are stingy), “quater dry, die helpē vry” (the middle class, 4 and 3, are generous). For about 100 years, it was the most widely used Bible in the Netherlands. It was intended to replace the Liesvelt Bible 1526 (which was translated from the Luther Bible).

The OT was the revised text of the Liesvelt Bible, while the NT was translated from the original text. Petrus Dathenus (*1531, †1588; Wikipedia), a Flemish reformer, published several editions. Johannes Dyrkinus collaborated on the translation of the New Testament, but he was not as accurate as his predecessors. 

Many editions of the Deux-Aes Bible were published with corrections and amendments, particularly in the marginal notes. This Bible remained in use among the Reformed until the middle of the seventeenth century, when the Statenvertaling 1637 was finally introduced.

Title 1562: “BIBLIA: Dat is, DE GANTSCHE HEYLIGHE SCHRIFT, grondelick ende trouvvelick verduydtschet, Met verklaringhe duysterer woorden, redenen ende spreucken, ende verscheyden Lectien, die in andere loflicke Ouersettinghen gheuonden, ende hier aen de kant toe ghesettet zijn: Met noch rijcke aenwijsinghen, der ghelijck ofte onghelijckstemmenden plaetsen, op het allerghewiste met scheydtletteren, ende versen ghetale (daer een yeghelick Cap. na Hebreischer wijse, mede onderdeylt is) verteeckent. [vignet:] HET RIKE DER HEMELEN IS ALS EEN VERBORGEN SCHAT IN DEN ACKER MATH 13. Ghedruckt te Embden, Anno, 1562. den 7. Martij.”

Translated 1562: “BIBLE: That is, THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, thoroughly and faithfully explained, with explanations of obscure words, reasons and proverbs, and various lessons found in other praiseworthy translations, and added here in the margins: With rich references to similar or dissimilar passages, marked with separate letters and verse numbers (each chapter being divided according to the Hebrew method). [vignette:] THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A HIDDEN TREASURE IN THE FIELD MATH 13. Printed in Embden, Anno, 1562. on 7 March.”

Title NT 1611: “Het Nieuwe Testament, dat is, het Nieuwe Verbondt onses Heeren Jesu Christ.”

Title 1599: “BIBLIA SACRA. Dat is De geheele Heylighe Schrifture bedeylt int Oudt ende Nieu Testament: Van nieus met groote neersticheyt oversien, ende naer den lesten Roomschen tekst verbetert, door sommighe Doctoren inder Heyligher Godtheyt inde vermaerde Universiteyt van Leuven. T'Antwerpen By Ian Moerentorf. Anno MDXCIX [1599]”

Translated 1599: “BIBLIA SACRA. That is, The entire Holy Scripture contained in the Old and New Testaments: newly revised with great diligence, and corrected according to the latest Roman text, by certain Doctors of the Holy Godhead at the renowned University of Leuven. Antwerp By Ian Moerentorf. Anno MDXCIX [1599].” 

Title 1599 NT: “Het Nieuwe Testament ons saligmakers Jesu Christi. Op nieuw herdrukt naar de uitgave van Jan Mourentorf te Antwerpen 1599.” 

Translated 1599 NT: “The New Testament of our Savior Jesus Christ. Reprinted from the edition by Jan Mourentorf in Antwerp, 1599.” The NT has been reprinted several times, but the year was often not specified.

Title 1714: “Biblia Sacra. Dat is: De Heylige Schriftuer, bedeylt in het Oude en Nieuwe Testament. Oversien ende verbetert na den laetsten Roomschen Text. en nu op nieus verciert met een seer deftige voor-reeden, door de seer eerwaerdige en uytnumtende Heerec, Fr. Thomas du Jardin en Fr. Franciscus d' Engbien, beyde van de Ordre van den H. Dominicus, en Doctoren in de H. Godheyd, in de Hooge Schoole van Loven. T' Antwerpen. Voor Petrus Jouret, Stads-Drucker ende Bockverkooper op de Melck-Merckt, in Gulde - tralie.”