THE SABBATH AND THE GERMAN BIBLE.
By George W. Amadon
It is a noticeable fact that converts to the Lord’s Sabbath do not multiply as rapidly among the Germans as among some other nationalities, namely, the Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, and French. Perhaps the rationalistic tendencies of the Germans may have something to do with this; but the singular readings of the German Bible on those texts which refer to the first day of the week, must certainly ever be a standing barrier to hinder Protestant Germans from obtaining the true light on the Sabbath. It should be remarked that the simple Bible phrase, “the first day of the week,” is never found in the German Bible. In the French Testament we have eight times the clause, “le premier jour de la semaine,” literally, the first day of the week. In the later Swedish version we have the rendering, “den första dagen i veckan,” the first day of the week; in the Danish-Norwegian Testament, “den förste Dag i Ugen,” the first day of the week; in the Portuguese, “primeiro dia da semana,” the first day of the week; in the Holland, “den eersten dag der week,” the first day of the week; in the Italian, “primo giorno della settimana,” the first day of the week; in the Spanish, “el primer día de la semana,” the first day of the week. Perhaps, if it were necessary, this list might be even further extended in harmony with the above versions. The translations here given show that the German Bible, in its renderings of the eight passages which speak of the first day, is quite out of harmony with its European neighbors. In every instance where the English Bible, and the seven versions mentioned above, simply read, “the first day of the week,” the common German Testament reads, “the first of the Sabbaths,” “the first holy day of the Sabbaths,” “every one of the Sabbaths,” etc. Now while these renderings might not mislead those who thoroughly understand the Greek, they do give a decidedly wrong bias to the more unlettered person. They teach him this grave error, namely, that the first day is called Sabbath and holy day. But fortunately for the cause of Sabbath truth, there are several German translations of the Bible. Two of these are Roman Catholic versions, and almost strange to add, these two are the very ones which are circulated by “The British Foreign Bible Society.” The translations referred to are those of Van Ess and Kistemaker. The former I have not seen; but the version of Dr. Kistemaker is before me, and by its remarkably clear renderings it relieves those passages which speak of the first day of the week of that obscurity which is so apparent in the Protestant German Testament. That the reader may have a better opportunity to decide this question for himself, the eight texts which speak of the first day are here given from both versions, in parallel columns, with a free English translation underneath, by one who translates for the press. Here are the eight texts mentioned:— Matt. 28:1: “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.” “Am Abend aber des Sabbaths, welcher anbricht am Morgen des ersten Feiertages der Sabbathen.” But on the evening of the Sabbath, which begins on the morning of the first holy day of the Sabbaths. “Nach dem Sabbat, bei der Morgendämmerung des ersten Tages nach Sabbat.” After the Sabbath, near the day dawn of the first day after the Sabbath. Mark 16:2: “And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher.” “Und sie kamen zum Grabe an einem Sabbather sehr frühe.” And they came to the grave on a Sabbath very early. “Und sie kamen zum Grabe den ersten Tag nach Sabbat, sehr frühe.” And they came to the grave the first day after Sabbath, very early. Mark 16:9: “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week.” “Jesus aber, da er auferstanden war frühe am ersten Tag der Sabbathen.” But when Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the Sabbaths. “Er aber, da Er auferstanden war früh am ersten Tage nach dem Sabbat.” But when he had risen early on the first day after the Sabbath. Luke 24:1: “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning.” “Aber an der Sabbather einem sehr frühe.” But on one of the Sabbaths, very early. “Am ersten Tage aber nach dem Sabbat, sehr früh Morgens.” But on the first day after the Sabbath, very early in the morning. John 20:1: “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early.” “An der Sabbather einem kommt Maria Magdalena früh.” On one of the Sabbaths came Mary Magdalene early. “Am ersten Tage nach dem Sabbat ging Maria Magdalene, frühe.” On the first day after the Sabbath, went Mary Magdalene early. John 20:19: “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week.” “Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbaths.” But on the evening of the same Sabbath. “Als es nun Abend war desselbigen Tages, des ersten nach dem Sabbat.” As it was now evening of the same day, the first after the Sabbath. Acts 20:7: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread.” “Auf einen Sabbath aber, da die Jünger zusammenkamen, das Brod zu brechen.” But on a Sabbath, when the disciples came together to break bread. “Den ersten Tag nach Sabbat, da wir versammelt waren, das Brod zu brechen.” The first day after the Sabbath, when we had come together to break bread. 1 Cor. 16:2: “Upon the first day of the week.” COMMON VERSION. “Auf einen jeglichen Sabbather.” On every one of the Sabbaths. KISTEMAKER. “Jeden ersten Tag nach Sabbat.” Every first day after the Sabbath. The reader will please note that in Dr. Kistemaker’s version, just given, the first day is always mentioned as a different day from the Sabbath, and as coming immediately after it. Let those who use the German tongue make a note of these important readings on the first day. The Kistemaker New Testament has already set more than one person straight on the great question of the Lord’s Sabbath. Let us ever “hold fast that which is good.” G. W. A.