Women and everyday language feature more in new Bible translation

The Danish Bible Society is working on a new translation of the Bible, which includes significant changes such as “Jesu legeme” becoming “Jesu krop” and revising how humans interact with creation, replacing “to rule” with “to govern” over creation. This change is partly because “rule” can imply harsh enforcement, whereas the original Hebrew “radâ” means to oversee and take responsibility. The translation also plans to include women more, explicitly addressing “sisters” alongside “brothers” in certain passages. Led by Danish theologians and linguists, this project aims to modernize Biblical language to ensure relevance for future generations. The new version is expected in 2036, with a budget of 38.5 million kroner, funded by multiple Danish foundations, but must be approved by the monarch for official use.