Rabbi
rabbi
(Hebrew: rab, lord, teacher)
In the Old Testament, the epithet rab denoted any eminent title of office, even the general of an army (Jeremiah 39). In the New Testament rabbi is the honorable title by which disciples addressed their Master. Thus Christ was usually addressed by His disciples and by the people. The epithet well expresses the character of the Redeemer; and therefore He calls Himself rab (Matthew 23). Nicodemus is also given this title by Christ (John 3). The Jewisk Scribes and Pharisees eagerly sought the honor of this appellation. Jesus admonishes His disciples against this vainglory (Matthew 23). In the Mishnan period the Jewish scholars were generally distinguished by the title rabbi. All the modern Jewish clergy are called rabbi.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Rabbi
( , ), a title of honor given by the Jews to their learned men, authorized teachers of the law, and spiritual heads of the community, and which in the New Test. is frequently given to Christ. In the following article we comlbine the Biblical and Talmudical statements on the subject, with additions from later sources.
I. Different Forms, and the Signification of the Title. The term , Rabbi, is a form of the noun , Rab (from , to multiply, to become great, distinguished), which in the Biblical Hebrew denotes a great man; one distinquished either for age, position, office, or skill (Job 32:9; Dan 1:3; Pro 26:10); but in the canonical books it does not occur with this suffix. It is in post-Biblical Hebrew that this term is used as a title, indicating sundry degrees by its several terminations for those who are distinguished for learning, who are the authoritative teachers of the law, and who are the appointed spiritual heads of the Jewish community. Thus, for instance, the simple term , Rsab without any termination, and with or without the name of the person following it, corresponds to our expression teacher, master, , and is the lowest degree; with the pronominal suffix first person singular-viz. , Rabbi, , 1my Rabbi (Mat 23:7-8; Mat 26:25; Mat 26:49; Mar 9:5; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45; Joh 1:38; Joh 1:49; Joh 3:2; Joh 3:26; Joh 4:31; Joh 6:25; Joh 9:2; Joh 11:8) it is a higher degree; and with the pronominal suffix first person plural viz. , Rabban, , our teacher, our master, in the Chaldee form it is the highest degree, and was given to the patriarchs () or the presidents of the Sanhedrim. Gamaliel I, who was patriarch in Palestine A.D. 30-50, was the first that obtained this extraordinary title, and not Simon ben-Hillel, as is erroneously affirmed by Lightfoot (Harmony of the Four Evangelists, Joh 1:38). This is evident from the following statement in the Aruch of R. Nathan (s.v. ): We do not find that the title Rabbon began before the patriarchs rabbon Gamaliel I, rabbon Simon his son (who perished in the destruction of the second Temple), and rabbon Jochanan ben-Zakkai, all of whom were presidents. Lightfoot’s mistake is all the more strange since he himself quotes this passage elsewhere (comp. Hebrew and Talmudical Exercitations, Mat 23:7). , however, which, as we have said, is the noun with the Chaldee pronominal suffix first person plural, is also used in Aramaic as a noun absolute, the plural of which is and (comp. Chaldee paraphrase on Psa 80:11; Rth 1:2); pronominal suffix second person singular (Son 6:4); pronominal suffix third person plural (Psa 83:12). Accordingly in Mar 10:51, which in Joh 20:16 is spelled , is the equivalent of , Rabbani, my master, giving the Syriac pronunciation to the Kamets under the Beth. As such it is interpreted by the evangelists (, Joh 1:39; Joh 20:16; Mat 23:8).
II. Origin and Date of these Titles. Nathan ben-Jechiel (q.v.) tells us, in his celebrated lexicon denominated Aruch (s.v. ), which was finished A.D. 1101, that Mar Rab Jacob asked Sherira Gaon, and his son Hai, the co-Gaon (A.D. 999), for an explanation of the origin and import of these different titles, and that these spiritual heads of the Jewish community in Babylon replied as follows: The title Rab () is Babylonian, and the title Rabbi () is Palestinian. This is evident from the fact that some of the Tanaim and Amoraim are simply called by their names without any title e.g. Simon the Just, Antigonus of Soho, Jose ben Jochanan, Rab, Samnuel,Abaje, and Rabba; some of them bear the title Rabbi () e.g. rabbi Akiba, rabbi Jose, rabbi Simon, etc.; some of them have the title Mar () e.g. mar Ukba, mar Januka, etc.; some the title of Rab () e.g. rab Hana, rab Jehudah, etc.; while some of them have the title Rabbon () e.g. rabbon Gamaliel, rabbon Jochanan ben-Zakkai, etc. The title Rabbi () is that of the Palestinian sages, who received there of the Sanhedrim the laying-on of the hands, in accordance with the laying-on of the hands as transmitted in unbroken succession by the elders ( ), iand were denominated Rabbi, and received authority to judge penal cases; while Rab () is the title of the Babylonian sages, who received the layingon of hands in their colleges. The more ancient generations, however, who were far superior, had no such titles as Rabbon (), Rabbi (), or Rab (), either for the Babylonian or Palestinian sages, as is evident from the fact that Hillel I, who came from Babylon, had not the title Rabbon () attached to his name; and that of the prophets, who were very eminent, it is simply said Haggai the prophet,’ etc.; Ezra did not come lup from Babylon,’ etc., without the title Rabbon being affixed to their names. Indeed, we do not find that this title is of an earlier date than the patriarchate. It began with rabbon Gamaliel the elder (A.D. 30), rabbon Simon, his son (who perished in the destruction of the second Temple), and rabbon Jochanan ben-Zakkai, all of whom were patriarchs or presidents of the Sanhedrim (). The title Rabbi (), too, comes into vogue among those who received the laying-on of hands at this period as, for instance, rabbi Zaddok, rabbi Eliezer ben-Jacob, etc., and dates from the disciples of rabbon Jochanan ben-Zakkai downwards. Now the order of these titles is as follows: Rabbi is greater than Rab; Rabbon, again, is greater than Rabbi; while the simple name is greater than Rabbon. No one is called Rabbon except the presidents. From this declaration of Sherira Gaon and Hai, that the title Rabbi obtained among the disciples of Jochanan ben-Zakkai, the erudite Gratz concludes that we must regard the title Rabbi, which in the Gospels, with the exception of that by Luke, is given to John the Baptist and to Jesus, as an anachronism. We must also regard as an anachronism the disapprobation put into the mouth of Jesus against the ambition of the Jewish doctors, who love to be called by this title, and the admonition to his disciples not to suffer themselves to be styled Rabbi ( )… . , Mat 23:7-8).
This, moreover, shows that when the Gospels were written down the title Rabbi stood in so high a repute that the fathers could not but transfer it to Christ (Geschichte der Juden [Berl. 1853], 4:500). But even supposing that the title Rabbi came into vogue in the days of Jochanan ben-Zakkai, this would by no means warrant Gritz’s conclusion, inasmuch as Jochanan lived upwards of a hundred years, and survived four presidents viz. Hillel I (B.C. 30-10), Simon I (A.D. 10-30), Gamaliel I (A.D. 30- 50), and Simon II (A.D. 50-70), and it might therefore obtain in the early days of this luminary, which would be shortly after the birth of Christ. The Tosaphoth at the end of Eduyoth, however, quoted in the Aruch in the same article, gives a different account of the origin of this title, which is as follows: He who has disciples, and whose disciples again have disciples, is called Rabbi; when his disciples are forgotten (i.e. if he is so old that his immediate disciples already belong to the past age), he is called Rabbon; and when the disciples of his disciples are also forgotten, he is simply called by his own name. This makes the titles coeval with the origin of the different schools, and at the same time accounts for the absence of them among the earliest doctors of the law.
Some account of the rabbins and the Mishnical and Talmudical writings may be found in Prideaux (Connection, pt. 1, bk. 5, under the year B.C. 446; pt. 2, bk. 8, under the year B.C. 37); and a sketch of the history of the school of Rabbinical learning at Tiberias, fiounded by rabbi Judah Hak- kodesh, the compiler of the Mishna, in the 2d century after Christ, is given by Robinson (Biblical Researches, 2, 391). See also Note 14 to Burton, Bampton Lectures, and the authorities there quoted for instance, Bruker (ii, 820) and Basnage (Hist. des Juifs, iii, 6, p. 138). Compare Hill, De Rabbinis (Jel. 1741); Bohn, ibid. (Erf. 1750); Muller, De Doctoribus (Vitemb. 1740). SEE MASTER.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Rabbi
my master, a title of dignity given by the Jews to their doctors of the law and their distinguished teachers. It is sometimes applied to Christ (Matt. 23:7, 8; Mark 9:5 (R.V.); John 1:38, 49; 3:2; 6:25, etc.); also to John (3:26).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Rabbi
(“great.”) Simeon (identified by some with him who took the infant Jesus in his arms: Luk 2:25 ff) son of Hillel, shortly before Christ, was the first doctor of the law with the title Rabban (higher than Rabbi), Rabbi (higher than Rab). The disciples applied it to Christ (Mar 9:5; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45; Joh 1:38; Joh 1:50; Joh 3:2; Joh 4:31; Joh 6:25; Joh 9:2; Joh 11:8; Joh 13:13). Christ’s prohibition of the title to the disciples (Mat 23:7-8) is against using it in the spirit of exercising dominion over the faith of others. The triune God is the only “Father,” “Master” (katheegeetes, guide, Rom 2:19; contrast Joh 16:13), “Teacher” (didaskalos Vaticanus manuscript Mat 23:8) in the highest sense; on Him alone can implicit trust be placed. All are “brethren ” before Him, none by office or precedence nearer to God than another. Rabboni (Joh 20:16) is simply “Master,” the -i final in John’s translated not meaning “my”, as it often does.
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
RABBI
Rabbi was a Hebrew word meaning my teacher or my master. Pupils used the word when addressing their teachers (Mat 23:7; Mar 9:5; Joh 1:38; Joh 3:25-26), and it was a common title that Jesus disciples used in addressing him (Mat 26:25; Joh 6:25; Joh 9:2; Joh 13:13-14; Joh 20:16). People in general used the word as a title of respect for prominent teachers in the community (Luk 3:12; Luk 10:25; Joh 1:49; Joh 3:2). The word also had a more specialized meaning as a formal title for the Jewish teachers of the law known as scribes (cf. Luk 2:46; Mat 23:7; Act 5:34; Act 22:3; see SCRIBES).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Rabbi
RABBI (from Heb. , which means as adj. great or much, as subst. chief or master. The final syllable is the pronominal suffix, signifying my, the force of which, however, is not expressed in the use of the word).A title of honour and respect addressed to religious teachers; and in this sense frequently applied in the Gospels to Jesus, and also once (Joh 3:26) to John the Baptist. It appears to have come into use in the time of Hillel, who was born c. [Note: circa, about.] b.c. 112. That St. John regarded it as a comparatively modern word, and not universally known in his time, seems evident from the fact that he deemed it necessary to explain its meaning (see Joh 1:38, where it is expressly stated to be equivalent to , rendered master in Authorized Version , and teacher in (Revised Version margin) ). (, WH [Note: H Westcott and Horts text.] ) is frequently translation master in Authorized Version , but Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 transliterates rabbi throughout. See Master.
Dugald Clark.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Rabbi
RABBI.The transliteration of a Heb. word meaning my master. In Mat 23:7 it is referred to as the usual form of address with which the learned were greeted (Dalman, Words of Jesus, p. 331); in the following verse it is regarded as synonymous with teacher. John the Baptist is once called Rabbi by his disciples (Joh 3:28). Elsewhere in the Gospels it is our Lord who is thus addressed: by His disciples (Mat 26:25; Mat 26:49, Mar 9:5; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45, Joh 1:38; Joh 1:49; Joh 4:31; Joh 9:2; Joh 11:8), by others (Joh 3:2; Joh 6:25). Rabboni is the transliteration of the Pal.-Aram. [Note: Aramaic.] form of the word; it occurs twice, namely in Mar 10:51 and Joh 20:16.
J. G. Tasker.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Rabbi
RABBI, RABBONI
This name is variously pronounced, but all mean one and the same, namely, my master. The Rab of an house, or family, means the head of it; hence Daniel speaking of Ashpenaz, the master of the eunuchs, calls him Rab Sarism. And if there were more than one person dignified with the name of master, doctor or Lord, instead of Rabbi, my master, they were called Rabbim, masters. There were different degrees, we are told, in those titles. The head of a school or college was called Chocham. And those titles were not sought for, or studied for, by any rules or laws; but when the people discovered any to be eminently blessed with superior learning to others, he was as by general consent, called Rabbi, my master, or Chocham, wise.
Rabbim of schools sat upon places raised above their pupils; hence Paul declares; that his was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel. (Act 22:3) How sweetly Christ taught humbleness concerning these names of honour! and who so suited to teach it as that humble Saviour? (Mat 23:8) See Master
Fuente: The Poor Mans Concordance and Dictionary to the Sacred Scriptures
Rabbi
rab, rabi (, rabb; , rhabb, or , rhabbe): A term used by the Jews of their religious teachers as a title of respect, from , rabh, great, so my great one (compare Latin magister), once of masters of slaves, but later of teachers (Mat 23:7); therefore translated by , didaskalos, teacher (Mat 23:8; Joh 1:38; compare Joh 1:49). In the King James Version frequently rendered Master (Mat 26:25, Mat 26:49; Mar 9:5; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45; Joh 4:31; Joh 9:2; Joh 11:8). John the Baptist (Joh 3:26), as well as Christ, is addressed with the title (Joh 1:49; Joh 6:25), both by disciples and others. Jesus forbade its use among His followers (Mat 23:8). Later (Galilean) form of same, RABBONI (which see). See TALMUD for Rabbinical literature.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Rabbi
Rabbi, a title of honor given to the teachers of the law in the time of Christ, and for which there is no exact equivalent in our language, though perhaps in purport and usage it comes near to ‘doctor’ or ‘master:’ a word combining both these significations would fairly represent it.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Rabbi
A title of respect among the Jews, signifying ‘master, teacher,’ but is not known to have been used till the time of Herod the Great. It was applied to the Lord, though often translated ‘master’ in the A.V. Mar 9:5; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45; Joh 1:38; Joh 1:49; Joh 3:2; Joh 3:26; Joh 4:31; Joh 6:25; Joh 9:2; Joh 11:8. Jesus forbade the disciples being called Rabbi, for one was their Master (), even Christ. Mat 23:8. According to the Jews the gradations of honour rose from Rab to Rabbi, and thence to Rabban or Rabboni.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Rabbi
The title of a teacher
Mat 23:7-8; Joh 3:2
Ostentatiously used by the Pharisees
Mat 23:7
Used in addressing John
Joh 3:26
Used in addressing Jesus
Joh 1:38; Joh 1:49; Joh 3:2; Joh 6:25; Mat 26:25; Mat 26:49; Mar 9:5; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45; Joh 4:31; Joh 9:2; Joh 11:8
Jesus called Rabboni
Mar 10:51; Joh 20:16
Forbidden by Jesus as a title to His disciples
Mat 23:8
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Rabbi
Rabbi (rb’b), literally my master. A title given by the Jews to teachers of the law, and frequently applied to our Lord by the disciples and the people. Mat 28:7-8; Mat 26:26; Mat 26:49; Mar 9:5; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45; Joh 1:38; Joh 1:49; Joh 3:2; Joh 3:26, etc. The usual Greek word in the gospels as the title of Christ means “teacher.” Mat 8:19; Mat 9:11.
Fuente: People’s Dictionary of the Bible
Rabbi
Rabbi. A title of respect signifying master, teacher, given by the Jews to their doctors and teachers, and often addressed to our Lord. Mat 23:7-8; Mat 26:25; Mat 26:49; Mar 9:6; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45; Joh 1:38; Joh 1:49; Joh 3:2; Joh 3:26; Joh 4:31; Joh 6:25; Joh 9:2; Joh 11:8.
Another form of the title was Rabboni. Joh 20:16. The titles were used with different degrees of honor; the lowest being rab, master; then rabbi, my master; next, rabban, our master; and greatest of all, Rabboni, my great master.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Rabbi
from a word rab, primarily denoting “master” in contrast to a slave; this with the added pronominal suffix signified “my master” and was a title of respect by which teachers were addressed. The suffix soon lost its specific force, and in the NT the word is used as courteous title of address. It is applied to Christ in Mat 26:25, Mat 26:49; Mar 9:5; Mar 11:21; Mar 14:45; Joh 1:38 (where it is interpreted as didaskalos, “master,” marg., “teacher” (see also “Rabboni” in Joh 20:16); Joh 1:49; Joh 3:2; Joh 4:31; Joh 6:25; Joh 9:2; Joh 11:8; to John the Baptist in Joh 3:26. In Mat 23:7-8 Christ forbids his disciples to covet or use it. In the latter verse it is again explained as didaskalos, “master” (some mss. have kathegetes, “a guide”).
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Rabbi
See RAB.