Special Collections acquires a copy of the first complete Spanish translation of the Bible

Special Collections recently acquired a copy of the earliest edition of the complete Bible in Spanish, known as “La Biblia del Oso” because of the printer’s mark, an illustration of a bear seeking honey. The Bible was translated into Spanish by Casiodoro de Reina, a former Catholic monk turned Protestant reformer, possibly with collaborators. “La Biblia del Oso” was published in Basel, Switzerland in 1569. Reina’s translation was revised and updated by his student, Cipriano de Valera, in 1602. The Reina-Valera translation of the Bible is still in use by Spanish-speaking Protestant denominations, with various revisions and updates over the centuries. It is the basis for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 2009 Spanish language Bible edition.

The 1569 Reina Bible is now available for use in research consultations and class presentations. Its call number is Vault Collection BS 299 1569.