A 15-Year Project by an Iranian Researcher to Rewrite the Bible in ‘Pure Persian’

Dr. “Daniel Dana,” an Iranian writer and jurist, has announced the completion of a project through which the biblical text has been rewritten in “Pure Persian” without the use of Arabic vocabulary; an effort that, according to him, represents an attempt to reconnect Christian faith with Iran’s linguistic and cultural roots, while simultaneously sparking diverse reactions among cultural activists, theologians, and Persian speakers outside the country.

Dr. Daniel Dana, an Iranian researcher, writer, and translator, has announced that after approximately fifteen years of research and writing work, he has completed the project of translating and rewriting the “New Testament” in “Pure Persian”; a text in which all Arabic vocabulary has been removed and replaced with Persian equivalents.

He describes this project not merely as a literary experiment, but as part of a broader effort to revive the linguistic and cultural identity of Iranians; a subject that in recent years has been particularly noted among certain Persian-speaking cultural and academic circles.

Based on published information about his background, Dr. Daniel began his education in law in Iran and then continued his studies in theology, politics, and literature in Australia and France. Some Hebrew-language sources have also referred to his cultural and research background and his connection to topics related to Iranian and Jewish identity.

He says the idea of writing religious texts in “Pure Persian” took shape in his mind years ago, but after a spiritual experience in the early 1990s, the project entered a serious phase. According to him, his main concern has been enabling Persian speakers to study the biblical text in a form closer to the ancient roots of the Persian language.

One of the most important features of this translation is the replacement of common theological terms with Persian or Hebrew words. For example, instead of the well-known title “Jesus Christ,” he has used the Hebrew phrase “Yeshua HaMeshiach.” Dana believes this approach brings the reader closer to the historical context and original roots of sacred texts.

He has also emphasized that in the process of compiling this work, he has benefited from consultations with some researchers and members of English-speaking, French-speaking, and Hebrew-speaking churches. According to him, the translation project of the “Old Testament” is currently underway.

The announcement of this translation has been met with varied reactions. Some have described it as an innovative effort to recreate religious language within the context of Iranian culture, while others believe that the complete removal of Arabic vocabulary from Persian theological literature could make it difficult for traditional Persian-speaking Christian audiences to understand.

Nevertheless, Dr. Dana has spoken of the reception from certain academic and cultural circles, particularly in Israel, and has stated that several academic institutions have contacted him to give lectures and introduce this project. He views this attention as an indication of the importance of the connection between language, identity, and sacred texts in the Middle Eastern intellectual sphere.

This project is presented at a time when in recent years, there has been an increasing tendency to reread classical Persian texts and use non-Arabic vocabulary in part of the cultural sphere of Iranians both inside and outside the country; a trend that some interpret as part of a renewed search for Iran’s historical and cultural identity.

Daniel Dana has announced at the end that the final version of this translation will soon be made available to the general Persian-speaking public.