German Lutheran missionaries undertook Amharic Bible translation completed 1860, working with Amharic scholars in Ethiopia. Translation used Ge'ez script (Ethiopic), creating Amharic Christian biblical vocabulary. This missionary linguistics occurred during Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II's reign when Ethiopia faced European colonial pressure. Amharic Bible became foundation for Amharic Christian literary development and religious poetry among Amharic-speaking communities in Ethiopia, complementing traditional Ge'ez liturgical literature.

Amharic Bible translation established Amharic Christian literary vocabulary using Ge'ez script, enabling Amharic Christian poetry adapting traditional Amharic poetic forms for Christian themes. The translation influenced modern Amharic writers and religious poetry production. Amharic Bible became foundation for Christian Amharic literary tradition, with biblical imagery entering modern Amharic poetry including works by Amharic Christian poets in Ethiopia.