Liesveltbijbel

The Liesveltbijbel is the first complete Dutch translation of the Bible, published in 1528 by Jacob van Liesvelt in Antwerp. This translation was based on Martin Luther's German Bible and was printed in the vernacular language. Its creation marked a significant moment in the history of Dutch Protestantism, making the scriptures accessible to a wider audience than ever before.

The publication of the Liesveltbijbel was not without controversy. While it aimed to spread religious knowledge, the Catholic Church viewed such translations with suspicion. Van Liesvelt was eventually arrested and, in 1545, executed for heresy, partly due to his role in printing this Bible. Despite the dangers, the Liesveltbijbel remained influential and was later revised and reissued by different printers. It played a crucial role in the development of the Dutch language and the dissemination of Reformation ideas in the Low Countries.