Pastor Kumuyi releases new version of Yoruba Bible

General superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, William Kumuyi, has authored a Yoruba Bible concordance dubbed ‘Bibeli Mimo Akoka’.

The church broke the news in a broadcast on its social media page. It said the publication comes after 15 years of working on the project by the clergyman alongside a team of other Yoruba scholars.

The broadcast added that the body of work was published by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN). The church described the new scripture as “one of the most reliable and readable Bibles” for personal study and teaching.

“Bibeli Mimo Atoka offers the most literally accurate translation from the original while keeping the integrity of the Bible,” the church said.

“This new version takes care of changes that have occurred over time in the meaning of some expressions found in ancient Yoruba and makes the Bible more comprehensible and relevant to today’s readers.”

Also speaking in the broadcast, Kumuyi pointed out that the new scripture “is true to the original with cross-references.”

He enjoined Christian leaders and those who craved better insights into the Bible to read the newly published project, adding that the major doctrines of the scriptures were highlighted.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther was a Yoruba linguist and the first African Anglican bishop in Nigeria. He is believed to have made the first translation of the Bible to Yoruba.