The Biestken Bible appeared in use by the Lutherans in the Netherlands in 1562. In addition, many immigrants read Luther’s German bible. The need to maintain their own identity with respect to the Reformed, whose authorized version (Statenvertaling) was different from the Lutheran bible in too many places, brought the Lutherans to the point to make their own translation of Luther’s bible in the Netherlands. Moreover, they wanted to produce a good Dutch translation for the German-speaking members of the Church so that the use of the German bible would disappear.
At the Synod of 1644 a commission was composed under the leadership of the Amsterdam preacher A. Visscher, who was charged with reviewing the existing Biestken Bibel employing a good edition of Luther’s German Bible. In 1648 this bible was published. Although the title page suggests that an entirely new translation was made, such was not the case. Presumably this is so formulated since it was important for Lutherans to have a new translation. This translation contributed to their self-consciousness. Still Visscher was rapidly considered as a translator, which was also listed on the title page until 1734. This translation was in use among Lutherans up to 1951.
Source: Bijbelsdigitaal.nl
