What Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft does

Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft (DBG) is a church foundation under public law (kirchliche Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts) headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, founded in 1812, and the official translator and publisher of the Bible in German. It develops, publishes, and distributes multiple German Bible translations including the Lutherbibel, BasisBibel, and Gute Nachricht Bibel, alongside Wissenschaftliche Ausgaben (critical scholarly editions in the original Hebrew and Greek). Its international responsibility for scientific source-language editions is a distinctive institutional function within the global Bible society movement.

The organization operates a multi-platform digital ecosystem anchored by die-bibel.de (public reading portal), Bibelwissenschaft.de (scholarly platform), and mobile applications on iOS and Android. The product surface includes proprietary reference tools—WiBiLex (Bible lexicon), WiReLex (religious pedagogy lexicon), the Online-Bibelkommentar (OBK), Bibeltextomat (church-community text dispenser), "Exegese für die Predigt" (weekly sermon-preparation support), and structured Bibellesepläne (Bible reading plans). It runs an e-commerce shop (shop.die-bibel.de) and a global Bible translation and distribution program called Weltbibelhilfe in cooperation with the United Bible Societies (UBS), reporting 148.3 million printed scriptures distributed in 2025 and 25 billion over 80 years across 80 countries through the UBS network.

DBG's business model is a hybrid non-profit mix: one-time revenue from Bible publication sales through its online shop and three regional subsidiaries (Badische, Ostfriesische, Württembergische Bibelgesellschaft), recurring support from the Förderkreis (sponsoring circle) membership program, and donations channeled to global Bible translation projects via Weltbibelhilfe. It serves a long-tail base of individual readers, theologians and biblical scholars, church communities, religious education (schools, universities, confirmation classes), children and youth, and global populations receiving scriptures in their native languages. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and the organization operates with a small core staff (11–50 employees) supplemented by its regional entities and global UBS partnership network. Leadership is Dr. Christoph Rösel, Generalsekretär (General Secretary).

Name

Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft

Legal name

Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft

Website

https://die-bibel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1812

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft is a Stuttgart-based non-profit church foundation, founded in 1812, that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible in German through die-bibel.de, scholarly platforms, mobile apps, and global partnerships with the United Bible Societies, serving individual readers, theologians, church communities, and underserved language populations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious publishing and Bible distribution

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Reference & Study Tools Publishing (Commentaries, Concordances, Lexicons) (MPAJAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD), Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC), Denominational & Community Periodicals (Church Magazines, Diocesan/Temple Newsletters) (MPAJAHAI)

Keywords

• Bible translations
• Religious publishing
• Scripture distribution
• Biblical scholarship
• Christian education resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Bible Publications Sales: Sale of Bible translations and editions through the die-bibel.de shop, including Lutherbibel, BasisBibel, Gute Nachricht Bibel, and scientific editions
2. Donations and Förderkreis Membership: Support through the Förderkreis (sponsoring circle) with long-term members who support Bible discovery programs, as well as direct donations for Weltbibelhilfe projects worldwide
3. Weltbibelhilfe - World Bible Aid: International Bible translation and distribution projects supported by donations, serving people worldwide in their native language

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft is a church foundation under public law that translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible in German. It operates digital platforms (die-bibel.de, Bibelwissenschaft.de) and mobile apps, produces multiple German Bible translations including Lutherbibel, BasisBibel, and Gute Nachricht Bibel, and provides scholarly resources such as WiBiLex, WiReLex, and an Online Bible Commentary. Through the Weltbibelhilfe (World Bible Aid) program in partnership with the United Bible Societies, it supports global Bible translation and distribution.

Product overview

Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft operates a multi-platform digital ecosystem centered on Bible translation, distribution, and education. The core offering includes multiple German Bible translations (Lutherbibel, BasisBibel, Gute Nachricht Bibel, and scholarly editions) accessible through the Die-Bibel.de web portal and the Die Bibel mobile app for Android and iOS. For academic users, Bibelwissenschaft.de provides scholarly resources including WiBiLex (Bible lexicon), WiReLex (religious pedagogy lexicon), and the Online Bible Commentary (OBK). The portfolio extends to practical tools like Bibeltextomat for church communities, Exegese für die Predigt for sermon preparation, and Bibellesepläne (reading plans). Through Weltbibelhilfe, the organization supports global Bible translation and distribution in partnership with United Bible Societies. A dedicated shop offers printed and digital Bible editions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BasisBibel: Bible translation in modern, easy-to-understand German language.
• Lutherbibel
• Gute Nachricht Bibel
• Weltbibelhilfe

Products and services

• Die-Bibel.de Portal
• Bibelwissenschaft.de Digital platform for theologians, students, and biblical scholars offering access to academic biblical resources, commentaries, and exegetical tools.
• Die Bibel App Mobile application for Android and iOS providing Bible reading access and daily biblical companion features for individual users.
• Lutherbibel Major German Bible translation published by Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, including special anniversary editions, available in printed and digital formats.
• BasisBibel Contemporary German Bible translation designed for readability and accessibility, also available in mini pocket format (BasisBibel Mini).
• Gute Nachricht Bibel German Bible translation known for its modern, accessible language.
• Wissenschaftliche Ausgaben Scholarly Bible editions in original languages (Hebrew, Greek) with critical apparatus and academic annotations for theological researchers.
• WiBiLex Comprehensive digital Bible lexicon (Bibelllexikon) providing scholarly biblical knowledge and reference materials for academic study.
• WiReLex Digital religious pedagogy lexicon (Religionspädagogisches Lexikon) for educators and religious instruction.
• Online-Bibelkommentar (OBK) Online Bible commentary providing scholarly exegetical support for biblical texts for theologians and scholars.
• Bibeltextomat Versatile digital offering for church communities providing shareable Bible verses and text for various settings where people encounter God's word.
• Exegese für die Predigt Weekly exegetical support service for pastors providing sermon preparation resources based on lectionary texts.
• Weltbibelhilfe World Bible Aid program supporting global Bible translation and distribution through the United Bible Societies partnership, reaching people worldwide in their native languages.
• Die-Bibel.de Shop Online shop for Bible editions, children's Bibles, study materials, and distribution resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 148.3 million printed biblical scriptures distributed worldwide in 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Badische LandesbibelgesellschaftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional Bible society partnership for local Bible distribution and engagement in the Baden region of Germany.
• Ostfriesische BibelgesellschaftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional Bible society partnership for Bible distribution in East Frisia (Ostfriesland) region of Germany.
• Württembergische BibelgesellschaftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional Bible society partnership for Bible work and distribution in the Württemberg region of Germany.
• United Bible Societies (UBS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partnership with the World Association of Bible Societies for international Bible translation and distribution. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft contributes to and benefits from this worldwide network for bringing the Bible to all people in their language.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Bible Society: The U.S. national Bible society operating comparable functions — Bible translation, publishing, digital platforms (Bible.com / YouVersion ecosystem), and global distribution through the United Bible Societies. Direct structural peer to Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft with similar mandate, revenue model (donations + retail), and worldwide mission footprint.
• Canadian Bible Society: Canada's national Bible society offering Bible translations, retail distribution, and digital study tools across English and French — same UBS network, similar non-profit foundation structure, and overlapping customer segments.
• Nederlands Bijbelgenootschap (Dutch Bible Society): The Dutch national Bible society — same UBS-affiliated structure, comparable size, and similar mix of Bible translations, scholarly resources, and Dutch-language digital Bible platform. Highly comparable in scope, mission, and operating model.
• Svenska Bibelsällskapet (Swedish Bible Society): The Swedish national Bible society with a directly comparable mandate: Bible translation and distribution in Swedish, scholarly resources, and UBS partnership. Closely mirrors Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft in size, structure, and product portfolio.
• Bible Society Australia: Australian counterpart with similar UBS-affiliated non-profit structure, Bible publishing, scholarly resources, and digital platform offering — closely comparable in operating model and product mix.
• Bible Society (UK and Ireland): Britain and Ireland's counterpart national Bible society — translates, publishes, and distributes the Bible in English; runs digital scholarly tools and global translation partnerships via UBS. Directly comparable mission, structure, and product mix (translations + scholarly + digital).
• Société Biblique de France: The French Bible society — directly comparable UBS-affiliated national Bible society with Bible translation, scholarly publishing, and digital Bible-portal offerings in the French market.

Emerging players

• YouVersion (Life.Church): The world's most-installed digital Bible app with hundreds of millions of users across thousands of languages. Operates as a competing free digital Bible-reading platform — overlapping consumer use cases (daily reading, reading plans, devotionals) with Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft's Die Bibel app and die-bibel.de.

Broad incumbents

• United Bible Societies (UBS): The global federation of Bible societies and Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft's flagship strategic partner. Wider umbrella organization coordinating translation, distribution, and donor programs across 200+ member societies — comparable at the macro level for international Bible distribution.

Others

• Evangeliumsdienst für Israel: A German religious-publishing/mission organization with adjacent focus on Biblical content distribution in German-speaking markets. Comparable as a domestic German religious-content distributor and potential ecosystem collaborator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bibelgesellschaft
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsche-bibelgesellschaft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft