On modifications of verse numbering in the Book of Revelation’s translation

Abstract

This paper examines modifications of verse numbering that were made to the Lutheran translation of the Book of Revelation (or Revelation of John, New Testament, Edition 1545) in two important revision Editions of the 17th century. The focus is on the revised Edition of the Wittenberg Faculty (1661) and the first Stader Bible (1690). Other Bible Editions are used for philological comparison, that is an Edition of the tradition of the Vulgate of Hieronymus (originated in the 4th century/⁴1994) and the bilingual translation (Greek/Latin) of Erasmus of Rotterdam (1519). In the revised Editions of the 17th century, Luther’s original translation of 1545 following mainly Erasmus’ Edition 1519 is modified by verse numbering and expanded due to the Catholic tradition or rather to the Vulgate tradition in order to correct inconsistencies and discrepancies between the Protestant and the Catholic tradition.