De Heilige Schrift 1917

The De Heilige Schrift of 1917, known in Dutch as the Statenvertaling of 1917 or simply the Dutch Bible of 1917, represents an important Protestant translation of the Scriptures into modern Dutch. It was published during a period of revision and updating of classical translations, seeking to maintain the heritage of the historic Statenvertaling of 1637 but with orthography and language more accessible to the early twentieth-century reader.

The translation philosophy preserved the Reformed Protestant commitment to fidelity to the original Hebrew and Greek texts, a feature that has always distinguished the Dutch biblical tradition since the seventeenth century. The text retains the solemn tone and exegetical precision of the classical Statenvertaling, adjusting orthographic and grammatical conventions to the modern norm without compromising textual integrity. Translations of theological terms follow the Calvinist tradition of the Dutch Reformed Church.

The Netherlands of the early twentieth century witnessed intense theological debate among orthodox, modernist, and neo-Calvinist currents. The 1917 edition met the demand of conservative Reformed congregations for a text that combined traditional heritage with contemporary readability. It was widely used in Reformed churches, Christian homes, and theological institutions, contributing to the continuity of biblical literature in Dutch throughout the twentieth century.

The work is in the public domain and may be freely reproduced, studied, and distributed. It remains available in digital editions and Bible platforms, serving as a valuable resource for Dutch-speaking readers and researchers of the Reformed Protestant tradition.