In 1540, a book appeared that would shape the future of Icelandic language and faith: Oddur Gottskálksson’s translation of the New Testament, known in Icelandic as “Nýja testamenti Odds Gottskálkssonar.” This unassuming volume, printed in Roskilde, Denmark, holds the title of the oldest preserved Icelandic printed book and marks a crucial moment in the island’s history.
A journey from cowshed to royal court
Oddur Gottskálksson’s work on the New Testament began in secrecy during 1534 or 1535. Fearing discovery by the Catholic bishop Ögmundur Pálsson, whom he served as a scribe, Oddur translated scripture in a cowshed at Skálholt. His efforts reflect the fraught religious climate: the Reformation was spreading, but Catholic tradition still held sway in Iceland.
Once Oddur finished his translation, he travelled to Denmark in 1539 with his manuscript in hand. He presented it to King Christian III, who, after scholarly review, granted approval for its printing. The completed book was produced as a small-format octavo, running to 330 pages. Although the exact number of printed copies remains unknown, Oddur’s intention was that every priest in Iceland would receive one.
Language, faith and influence
Oddur based his translation primarily on a 1530 German version by Martin Luther, cross-referencing the Latin Vulgate and possibly drawing from Erasmus of Rotterdam’s Greek text. He incorporated many of Luther’s prefaces and marginal notes, except for those relating to the Book of Revelation. The result was both linguistically and theologically innovative for Icelanders.
The language of Oddur’s New Testament signals a transition from older forms of Icelandic to a more modern style, though Latin still left its mark. Icelandic scholars have long debated the merits of Oddur’s prose, some praise its forceful and vivid expression, noting that it set the standard for later biblical translations, while others recognise the occasional struggle for natural Icelandic phrasing. Nevertheless, it remains a landmark of Icelandic literary history, described by noted scholar Sigurður Nordal as “one of the milestones in the history of Icelandic literature.”
Beyond linguistics, the translation represented official recognition by Danish authorities of Icelandic as a distinct language. It became the earliest template for pious literature in Iceland’s Lutheran tradition and helped form the foundation for religious reading and writing on the island.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
