The History and Text of the Bible in the Tamil Language
The history of Bible translations into the Tamil language commences with the arrival of Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg at Tranquebar in 1706. He had a remarkable gift for languages and he was tireless in diligence and made rapid progress. He had completed the translation of the New Testament within five years of his arrival in the Tamil area; it was published in 1714, and by 1719, the year of his death, he had finished the Old Testament up to the Book of Ruth.
Major Historical Milestones in Translation
The remaining work was completed by another German missionary, Benjamin Schultze, and published in Tranquebar in 1728. Later, Johann Philipp Fabricius, a German, revised Ziegenbalg's and others work to produce the standard Tamil version. Philip Fabricius spent twenty four years on the translation of the Bible which was published in 1777.
During the 19th century, even in the Tamil area Dr. Buchanan reported that there was a 'great cry for Bibles'. The first project of the Bible Society in Tamil was given to C. T. E. Rhenius, a German, who brought out the New Testament in 1833. In 1840 the Bible Society published its first edition of the whole Bible in Tamil: the Old Testament consisting of the translation of Fabricius and the New Testament that of Rhenius.
Chronology of Key Tamil Bible Versions
The following table summarizes the development of the Tamil Bible from its early beginnings to the present day:
| Version / Translator | Year | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg | 1714 | First New Testament published in Tamil. |
| Benjamin Schultze | 1728 | Completed the Old Testament translation. |
| Johann Philipp Fabricius | 1777 | Standard version used by the Lutheran Church. |
| C. T. E. Rhenius | 1833 | New Testament revision for the Bible Society. |
| Union Version | 1871 | Displaced all previous versions in India and Ceylon. |
| New World Translation | 2016 | Complete Bible released by Jehovah's Witnesses. |
Biblical Focus: Revelation 21:5
A significant verse in Tamil translation is Revelation 21:5. The Tamil Indian Revised Version states: "சிங்காசனத்தின்மேல் உட்காருந்திருந்தவர்: இதோ, நான் எல்லாவற்றையும் புதிதாக்குகிறேன் என்றார். பின்னும் அவர்: இந்த வசனங்கள் சத்தியமும் உண்மையுமானவைகள், இவைகளை எழுது என்றார்."
In various English versions, this is rendered as follows:
- King James Version (KJV): And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
- American Standard Version (ASV): And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true.
- Bible in Basic English (BBE): And he who is seated on the high seat said, See, I make all things new. And he said, Put it in the book; for these words are certain and true.
Thematic Cross-References
The concept of renewal found in Revelation is supported by other scriptures in the Tamil Bible:
- Isaiah 43:19: இதோ, நான் புதிய காரியத்தைச் செய்கிறேன்; இப்பொழுதே அது தோன்றும்; நீங்கள் அதை அறியீர்களா?
- Isaiah 42:9: பூர்வகாலத்தில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டவைகள், இதோ, நிறைவேறலாயின; புதியவைகளையும் நானே அறிவிக்கிறேன்.
- Revelation 4:2: உடனே ஆவிக்குள்ளானேன்; அப்பொழுது, இதோ, வானத்தில் ஒரு சிங்காசனம் வைக்கப்பட்டிருந்தது, அந்தச் சிங்காசனத்தின்மேல் ஒருவர் வீற்றிருந்தார்.
Current Status and Modern Editions
Currently, the Tamil Bible is undergoing first re-editing with archaic renderings being replaced with modern equivalent. In collaboration with Church centric bible translation, Free Bibles India has published a Tamil translation online. Additionally, contemporary Christian literature like "Revelation A Must" (Tamil – வெளிப்படுத்தல் அது அவசியம்) by Zacharias Tanee Fomum continues to circulate among the Tamil-speaking faithful.