Note: This section lists only selected annotated Bible translations—other than the unrevised Luther Bible—that were well-received in Pietist groups in Switzerland and Southwest Germany.
(1) Bible texts printed in St. Chrischona
1.1 New Testament with annotations by Hedinger, rev. by Ledderhose (1863)
The Ethiopian students who studied at St Chrischona in the 1870s (Gebru Desta and others) were most likely familiar with the annotated New Testament, which had been revised by the mission’s board member, Rev. Ledderhose:
Das Neue Testament unsers Herrn und Heilandes Jesu Christi: Nach Dr. Martin Luther’s Uebersetzung. Mit ausführlichen Capitelüberschriften, vielen Parallelen, Luther’s Randglossen, Auslegungen der schwersten Stellen und Capitel-Nutzanwendungen von Dr. Johann Reinhard Hedinger, weiland Hofprediger und Consistorialrath in Stuttgart. Auf’s Neue durchgesehen von Carl Friedrich Ledderhose, und herausgegeben von der Pilgermission auf St. Chrischona.
- vol. 1: Matthew ‒ Acts (1863)
- vol. 2: Romans ‒ Revelation (1863)
1.2 Luther Bible revised by Stier
In 1893, the St. Chrischona Pilgrim Mission published a devotional book that contained (only) Bible verses for each morning and evening. It was modeled after the German edition, Licht auf den täglichen Pfad, which was printed at St. Chrischona in 1877. The verses were taken from a Bible translation revised by Rudolf Stier, who had taught at the Basel Mission Seminary from 1824 to 1828:
Die Bibel oder die ganze heilige Schrift Alten und Neuen Testaments: Doctor Martin Luthers Uebersetzung; nach Dr. Joh[ann] Fr[iedrich] v[on] Meyer nochmals aus dem Grundtext berichtigt von Dr. Rudolf Stier; mit Beigabe der Apokryphen. Bielefeld: Velhagen und Klasing, 1856. [Google Books]
- 2nd ed. 1859 · 3rd ed. 1872 · 4th ed. 1878
(2) Additional Bible texts
Johann Ludwig Krapf, the missionary and Bible translator from Württemberg, was familiar with the Greek biblical texts, the German New Testament translation, and the outstanding commentary by his compatriot Johann Albrecht Bengel.
2.1 Bengel’s translation of the New Testament and his commentary
Bengel, Johann Albrecht. Das Neue Testament zum Wachsthum in der Gnade und Erkänntniß des Herrn Jesu Christi nach dem revidirten Grundtext übersetzet und mit dienlichen Anmerkungen begleitetet. 2nd edition. Stuttgart: J.B. Metzler, 1769. [DigiTheo, Tübingen]
- English translation of the German title:
The New Testament Translated from the Revised Original Text for Growth in Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and Accompanied by Helpful Notes. - The first edition was published in 1753 (shortly after Bengel’s death).
See also Bengel’s commentary on the New Testament:
⸻. Gnomon Novi Testamenti: In Qvo Ex Nativa Verborvm Vi Simplicitas, Profvnditas, Concinnitas, Salvbritas Sensvvm Coelestivm Indicatvr. Tübingen: H.P. Schrammius, 1742. [Digitale Sammlungen]
- English translation of the Latin title:
A Guide (lit.: pointing finger) to the New Testament, in Which the Simplicity, Depth, Coherence, and Healing Power of the Heavenly Meanings Are Revealed Through the Original Power of the Words]