Filipino Tagalog-English Bible vs Tagalog Bible - ang biblia Usage & Stats

History of the Tagalog Bible – From Early Translations to Modern Tagalog The journey of the Tagalog Bible began in the late 1500s, when Spanish missionaries first started translating Scripture into Tagalog to spread Christianity in the Philippines. During this period, the Philippines was under Spanish rule, and early translations were often influenced by both Spanish language and Catholic doctrine. The earliest known Tagalog translations were partial and written in old forms of the language, which were challenging for common readers to fully understand. By the 19th century, as Filipino identity and culture began to rise, efforts increased to create a Bible in a more accessible and modern Tagalog. Various missionary groups and Filipino scholars worked towards this goal. In the early 1900s, the first full Tagalog Bible was published, making the Scriptures more approachable to everyday Filipinos. Throughout the 20th century, several revised editions were released to reflect changes in the Tagalog language and to make the text more relevant to contemporary readers. Today, the Tagalog Bible remains an important spiritual and cultural resource in the Philippines. Multiple translations coexist, and ongoing efforts by Bible societies continue to update and preserve this vital link between Scripture, language, and Filipino heritage.