Verbum
Verbum AB is a Swedish publishing house and service provider that produces Bibles, hymn books, theological literature, prayer beads, and congregation development services for the Church of Sweden and affiliated denominations across Sweden.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersStockholm, Sweden
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Verbum does
Verbum AB is a Swedish ecclesiastical publishing house and service provider headquartered in Stockholm, established in 1911 to support the Church of Sweden and affiliated religious organizations. The company publishes Bibles, hymn books, theological books, official liturgical handbooks, children's religious materials, and the trademarked Frälsarkransen prayer beads created by Bishop Emeritus Martin Lönnebo. It is jointly owned by the Swedish Church (Svenska kyrkan), Equmeniakyrkan, and the Swedish Church employer organization, and operates as part of the Berling Media AB media group alongside wholly-owned subsidiaries Kyrkans Tidning (church newspaper) and Votum Media. Verbum's content library, anchored by the official liturgical texts used across Swedish Church parishes, constitutes the core of its offering.
The company operates a sales-led, direct-to-customer go-to-market, selling through its e-commerce platform at verbum.se to Swedish Church parishes, clergy, congregation members, and individual consumers. Books range from approximately 135 to 400+ SEK with volume discounts for bulk institutional orders; payment options include invoice for congregations and Klarna for individual buyers, with orders shipping within 2-5 business days. Beyond publishing, Verbum generates revenue through licensing and reprint permissions, congregation development services (baptism mailings, member journey analysis, church administration consulting), and educational programming including webinars and in-person seminars for church workers.
Verbum employs approximately 29 people and markets through newsletters, blog content, social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube), and major book fair appearances such as Bokmässan in Göteborg. The Frälsarkransen prayer beads, produced under Fair Trade conditions by Indian partner Tara Projects, represent a differentiated branded product. No revenue figures, funding rounds, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed in available data.
Verbum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Verbum
- Legal name
- Verbum AB
- Website
- https://verbum.se
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Verbum AB is a Swedish publishing house and service provider that produces Bibles, hymn books, theological literature, prayer beads, and congregation development services for the Church of Sweden and affiliated denominations across Sweden.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Verbum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Publishing
- NAICS
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Periodical Publishers (513120)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics) (MPAJAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras) (MPAJAHAA), Worship & Liturgy Publishing (Liturgical Texts, Missals, Service Books, Hymnals) (MPAJAHAE), Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD), Devotional & Prayer Publishing (Devotionals, Prayer Books, Meditation Guides) (MPAJAHAB)
Keywords
Where Verbum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stockholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Verbum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Book Sales: Sale of theological books, Bibles, hymn books, and religious educational materials through e-commerce platform. Products include volumes ranging from 135 SEK to 400+ SEK.
- Licensing and Permissions: Verbum manages copyright permissions for reprinting works from their authors. Applications for printing permits must be submitted via form to [email protected].
- Services: Consulting and services for church development including congregation newspapers, baptism invitation automation, member journey analysis, and ongoing mailing services.
- Educational Programs: Webinars and educational offerings for church employees and elected officials including training on NT 2026, church council guidance, and Swedish Church introduction courses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual book purchases with tiered volume pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Volume discounts for bulk purchases |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Frälsarkransen glass bead bracelets with quantity discounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Verbum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Verbum is a Swedish publishing house and service provider that produces Bibles, theological books, hymn books, prayer beads, and church development materials primarily for the Church of Sweden (Svenska kyrkan) and other related religious organizations. The company combines physical product publishing (Bibles, books, Frälsarkransen prayer beads, memorial cards, children's materials) with services including congregation development consulting, professional training and webinars, and operational services such as mailing and member journey analysis. It operates as the official publisher for liturgical and theological content used across Swedish Christian congregations.
Product overview
Verbum is a publisher and service provider for the Church of Sweden and related religious organizations. The offering consists of physical publications (Bibles, theological books, hymn books) combined with congregation development services and educational programs. The core products include Biblar (Bibles) featuring the new NT 2026 translation, Böcker (Books) covering theology and church life, Psalmböcker (Hymn Books), and the distinctive Frälsarkransen prayer beads created by Martin Lönnebo. Supporting services encompass Församlingsutveckling (congregation development workshops), Utbildningar (training programs), and Tjänster (operational services like newsletters and mailings). The company also publishes the annual Kyrkokalendern and children's materials through its barnbiblar line. Verbum operates as part of Berling Media AB, with ownership including the Church of Sweden and related denominations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Frälsarkransen: A prayer beads/worship tool created by Bishop Emeritus Martin Lönnebo, sold as glass bracelets and books in various sizes
- Kyrkans Tidning
- Votum Media
Products and services
- Biblar (Bibles)
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 60,000 burial services held annually in Swedish Church parishes using Verbum's liturgical resources
Companies that use Verbum
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Verbum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Verbum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Svenska kyrkan (Swedish Church)coreVerbum is co-owned by the Swedish Church and serves as the primary publisher of official liturgical materials, Bibles, hymn books, and theological resources for Swedish Church congregations.
- EqumeniakyrkancoreCo-owner of Verbum AB, representing the Methodist/Church of Sweden free church tradition in the joint publishing venture.
- Svenska kyrkans arbetsgivarorganisationcoreSwedish Church employer organization co-owner of Verbum, representing church employers in the partnership.
- Berling Media ABcoreParent company of Verbum. Also includes Kyrkans Tidning and Votum Media within the group.
- Tara ProjectsminorIndian manufacturer producing Frälsarkransen prayer beads under Fair Trade conditions, ensuring ethical production standards.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Verbum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Lutherförlaget: Norwegian publisher affiliated with the Lutheran state church producing theological literature, hymnals, and devotionals — a close Nordic analogue operating in a different national market.
Broad incumbents
- SCM Press: UK-based academic theology publisher with roots in the Anglican tradition, publishing scholarly theological works, ministry resources, and liturgical texts comparable to Verbum's academic and ministry lines.
- Eerdmans Publishing: Independent US publisher specializing in religious nonfiction, theology, and biblical scholarship; comparable in mission and editorial focus to Verbum's theology list though English-language and global.
- SPCK: Long-established UK Christian publisher of theological books, Bible commentaries, and ministry resources, with a comparable denomination-affiliated publishing model and similar product mix to Verbum.
- Zondervan: Major international Christian publisher of Bibles, study resources, and theological titles under HarperCollins; operates at vastly larger scale but competes for the same Bible and theology reading audience globally.
Emerging players
- YouVersion (Bible App): Free digital Bible platform from Life.Church with hundreds of millions of users; relevant as the dominant digital distribution channel competing with Verbum's print Bible sales for engaged Christian readers globally.
- Logos Bible Software: Digital Bible study platform representing the digital substitution path that traditional print religious publishers like Verbum must compete with as clergy research and study workflows move online.
Direct peers
- Forma Books: Nordic Christian publishing house producing books on theology, ministry, and spiritual life for Scandinavian churches, comparable in scope and mission to Verbum's publishing program.
- Libris Förlag: Swedish Christian publisher offering theology, devotionals, and Bible study materials, overlapping directly with Verbum's core trade book and Bible catalog within the same Swedish-speaking market.
Others
- Berling Media AB: Parent company of Verbum, operating adjacent media brands Kyrkans Tidning and Votum Media; relevant as the corporate parent shaping Verbum's strategic direction and shared distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Verbum social profiles
Digital presenceVerbum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Verbum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Verbum subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Verbum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Verbum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Verbum
What does Verbum do?
Verbum is a Swedish publishing house and service provider that produces Bibles, theological books, hymn books, prayer beads, and church development materials primarily for the Church of Sweden (Svenska kyrkan) and other related religious organizations. The company combines physical product publishing (Bibles, books, Frälsarkransen prayer beads, memorial cards, children's materials) with services including congregation development consulting, professional training and webinars, and operational services such as mailing and member journey analysis. It operates as the official publisher for liturgical and theological content used across Swedish Christian congregations.
Is Verbum a public or private company?
Verbum is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Verbum founded?
Verbum was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Verbum based?
Verbum is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Verbum make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Book Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing and Permissions, services and educational Programs.
Who are Verbum's main competitors?
Lutherförlaget is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are SCM Press, Eerdmans Publishing, SPCK and Zondervan. Emerging players are YouVersion (Bible App) and Logos Bible Software. Direct peers are Forma Books and Libris Förlag. Berling Media AB is listed as an others.
Does Verbum have an API?
No public API is recorded for Verbum.
What industry is Verbum in?
Verbum's product category is Religious Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAHAG, Religious Nonfiction & Theology Publishing (Apologetics, Doctrine, Ethics), with a secondary code of MPAJAHAA, Sacred Texts & Scripture Publishing (Bibles, Qur’ans, Vedas, Torah, Sutras). Its NAICS code is 5131 and its SIC code is 2731.