Bible Society of South Africa

The Bible in isiZulu

IsiZulu 1893, 1959 and 2020

Missionaries of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) arrived in Port Natal in 1835. This group distinguished themselves as the first translators of the isiZulu Bible. The first complete book of the Bible to be translated into isiZulu was the Gospel according to Matthew translated by George Champion and revised by Newton Adams.

The first complete isiZulu Bible which incorporated the translation work of the ABCFM missionaries was published by the American Bible Society in 1883. A new edition was published in 1893.

In 1959 a new translation of the isiZulu Bible appeared. In 1997, this translation was published in a new orthography according to the latest rules of the then Zulu Language Board.

A new, source-text orientated translation which is dynamic where necessary and suitable for reading aloud in worship services and Sunday school, Bible study as well as for personal use, is to be published in 2020.

to read the History & Background of the 2020 translation.


 

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