Who Is This For?
Best For:
Serious Bible study, understanding textual variants, dispensational study, and those interested in Plymouth Brethren history and theology.
Not Ideal For:
Casual reading, public worship, children, or those unfamiliar with 19th-century English.
Strengths & Limitations
✓ Strengths of the DBY
- Very accurate and consistent translation
- Extensive footnotes on textual variants
- Excellent for detailed Bible study
- Public domain - freely available
- Work of an accomplished linguist and Bible teacher
✗ Limitations to Consider
- Archaic late-Victorian English
- Plymouth Brethren theological perspective
- Less readable than modern translations
- Formal style not suited for casual reading
- Limited church adoption outside Brethren circles
Overview
John Nelson Darby's translation reflects the work of one of the 19th century's most influential Bible teachers, the founder of the Plymouth Brethren movement and father of modern dispensationalism. Darby was fluent in multiple languages and produced translations in German, French, and English, prizing accuracy above literary style.
Want to read the DBY Bible online? Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, or start reading from Genesis.
Notable Features of the DBY
- Extensive textual footnotes
- Produced by founder of dispensationalism
- Translations in German, French, and English
- Public domain
- Valuable for understanding 19th-century textual criticism
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Darby Translation?
John Nelson Darby's translation reflects the work of one of the 19th century's most influential Bible teachers, the founder of the Plymouth Brethren movement and father of modern dispensationalism. Darby was fluent in multiple languages and produced translations in German, French, and English, prizing accuracy above literary style.
How can I read the DBY Bible online?
You can read and search the Darby Translation online for free at Acts1 Family. Use our Bible search tool to find any verse, chapter, or keyword in the DBY translation.
When was the DBY Bible published?
The Darby Translation was first published in 1890. It is classified as a Formal Equivalence translation with a 12th Grade reading level.
Who should use the DBY Bible?
Serious Bible study, understanding textual variants, dispensational study, and those interested in Plymouth Brethren history and theology.
How does the DBY compare to other Bible translations?
The Darby Translation (DBY) is a Formal Equivalence translation. Compare it with other versions like the KJV, ASV, or NIV using our Bible comparison tools to find the best translation for your needs.
Read the DBY Online
Search any verse, compare with other translations, or start reading from Genesis.
Start ReadingHistory
Complete History of the DBY Translation
John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) was born in London to a prominent Anglo-Irish family. After graduating from Trinity College Dublin as a Classical Gold Medalist and being admitted to the Irish Bar in 1822, he abandoned law to become a priest in the Church of Ireland. A serious horse-riding accident in 1827 confined him to bed for months, during which he undertook intensive Bible study that transformed his theological outlook.
Dissatisfied with established church structures, Darby joined a group of believers meeting in Dublin in 1827-28, which grew into the movement known as the Plymouth Brethren. His views on church governance and eschatology eventually split the movement into 'Exclusive Brethren' (Darbyites) and 'Open Brethren.'
Darby devoted his life to Bible teaching and translation. His German translation appeared in 1871, followed by French in 1885 and English in 1890. He died in 1882 before completing the English edition, which was finished by his associates. The translation reflects his emphasis on precision and includes extensive footnotes discussing textual variants and translation choices.
Darby's theological system, particularly his dispensational understanding of Scripture and doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture, profoundly influenced American evangelicalism through the Scofield Reference Bible (1909).
Learn More on Wikipedia
Translators
Meet the 1 Key Translators and Contributors
John Nelson Darby
Primary translator
Founder of the Exclusive Brethren, father of dispensationalism, and prolific Bible teacher. Translated the Bible into German, French, and English. His collected writings fill 34 volumes.
Textual Basis
Manuscript Sources and Translation Methodology
Darby's New Testament is based primarily on critical editions of the Greek text, particularly Tregelles and later Tischendorf, though he also valued Byzantine readings. His extensive footnotes discuss textual variants from various manuscript traditions.
Reception
Scholarly Praise
"The version is exceedingly literal, based upon modern critical editions of the Greek text, and abundantly supplied with text-critical and philological annotations—by far the most comprehensive to be found in an English version."
— Michael Marlowe, John Nelson Darby's Version (2009) [source]
Scholarly Concerns
While Darby's translations have the reputation of being extremely literal, comparison reveals the French translation is notably less literal than the German or English versions, showing inconsistency in method.
— SATS PhD Thesis, A Critical Assessment of J.N. Darby's Translation Work (2015) [source]
Revision History
View 3 Major Revisions and Updates
- 1867 Darby began his English translation work.
- 1890 First complete English edition published posthumously.
- Various Minor corrections and updated editions have been published by Brethren publishers.
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