Lexical Summary rhabbi: Rabbi Original Word: ῥαββί Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Master, Rabbi. Of Hebrew origin (rab with pronominal suffix); my master, i.e Rabbi, as an official title of honor -- Master, Rabbi. see HEBREW rab HELPS Word-studies 4461 rhabbí– a rabbi; a teacher-scholar recognized by the Jewish public for accumulating a great number of Bible-facts, i.e. respected for his accumulation of knowledge. [4461 (rhabbí) literally means "great in number," probably referring to the great number of facts (Bible knowledge) acquired by a rabbi. See OT 7727a (rab). "Rabbi" literally means, " 'My great one; my honorable sir.' Explained by Jesus himself as (1320 /didáskalos), 'teacher' (Mt 23:8), . . . Used by the Jews in addressing their teachers, and formed from a Hebrew root meaning 'great' " (WS, 403).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin rab Definition my master, my teacher NASB Translation Rabbi (15). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4461: ῤαββίῤαββί, T WH ῥαββει (cf. Buttmann, p. 6; WHs Appendix, p. 155; see εἰ, ἰ) (Hebrew רַבִּי from רַב, much, great), properly, my great one, my honorable sir; (others incorrectly regard the ִ־י as the yodh paragogic); Rabbi, a title with which the Jews were accustomed to address their teachers (and also to honor them when not addressing them; cf. the Frenchmonsieur, monseigneur): Matthew 23:7; translated into Greek by διδάσκαλος, Matthew 23:8 G L T Tr WH; John the Baptist is addressed by this title, John 3:26; Jesus: both by his disciples, Matthew 26:25, 49; Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; John 1:38 (39),49(50); Topical Lexicon Linguistic and Cultural Background Greek 4461 (ῥαββί, rhabbí) transliterates the Aramaic honorific by which first-century Jews addressed a teacher of the Torah. Literally “my great one,” it carried a sense of veneration and personal attachment to the scholar who interpreted Scripture and halakhah for his disciples. In the late Second-Temple period the title was not yet a formal ordination but an informal acknowledgment of mastery in the Law and Prophets. Occurrences in the New Testament Canon Rhabbí appears fifteen times, all in the Gospels: • Matthew 23:7, 23:8; 26:25, 26:49 The concentration in the Synoptics and John reflects the historical setting of Jesus’ earthly ministry among Jewish audiences conversant with rabbinic honorifics. The Title Applied to Jesus In every instance but one (Matthew 23:7-8) rhabbí is addressed to Jesus. The disciples, crowds, and even adversaries recognize Him as an authoritative expositor of Scripture. Nathanael’s confession unites the title with messianic faith: “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel” (John 1:49). Nicodemus likewise admits, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher” (John 3:2). These uses reveal that early witnesses perceived Jesus’ pedagogy as grounded in divine commission rather than mere human credentialing. Jesus’ Restrictive Teaching on the Title In Matthew 23:7-10 Jesus warns against seeking honorifics: “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers”. The admonition redirects glory from human status to the ultimate authority of God’s Messiah. Christ neither forbids teaching nor learning; He forbids pride that rivals the supremacy of the one Instructor, Himself (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). Contrast with Contemporary Rabbinic Authority First-century rabbis grounded their rulings in citation of earlier sages (“Hillel says… Shammai says…”). Jesus, by contrast, speaks on His own authority: “Truly, truly, I tell you…” (John 3:3; 5:24). When Peter exclaims, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree You cursed has withered” (Mark 11:21), the incident underscores that Jesus’ words carry immediate divine effect, surpassing traditional rabbinic debate. Pedagogical Relationship with Disciples Rhabbí implies a disciple-teacher bond marked by obedience and imitation. The disciples appeal, “Rabbi, eat” (John 4:31), showing daily intimacy. Yet Jesus elevates them from pupils to friends and future apostles (John 15:15), anticipating the Spirit’s instruction that will perfect their understanding (John 14:26). Conflicted Use by Betrayers and Skeptics Judas Iscariot addresses Jesus twice as rhabbí during the Passion (Matthew 26:25, 26:49; Mark 14:45). The irony is sharp: the betrayer acknowledges Jesus’ teacherly standing while denying His lordship. Likewise, the physically blind are healed while spiritual blindness remains in some who utter the respectful title (John 9:2). Christological Implications The Gospel witness marries rabbinic respect with claims that exceed any ordinary teacher. Jesus is both the Revealer and the content of revelation. Thus the early church could accept rabbinic pedagogy as a model for discipleship while confessing Jesus as the incarnate Logos, the ultimate exegete of the Father (John 1:18). Ministry Applications Today 1. Authority of Scripture: Christian teachers submit to the Word, guarding against titles that eclipse Christ’s unique role as the definitive Teacher. Historical Continuity and Fulfillment Rhabbí bridges the heritage of Jewish scriptural instruction and the inaugurated kingdom of God. The risen Lord commissions His followers to “make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The rabbinic model thus finds its fulfillment in global, Christ-centered mission empowered by the Spirit. Related Terms and Concepts Teacher (didaskalos, 1320) Master (kurios, 2962) Discipleship (mathetes, 3101) Scribe (grammateus, 1122) Summary Greek 4461 encapsulates awe before a master interpreter of God’s Word. The Gospels employ it to reveal Jesus as the anticipated but surpassing Rabbi whose authority is rooted in His divine sonship. The term challenges contemporary believers to honor Christ alone as the ultimate Teacher while emulating His servant leadership in the ministry of the Word. Forms and Transliterations Ραββει Ῥαββεί ραββί ῥαββί rabbi rhabbi rhabbíLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 23:7 HebGRK: τῶν ἀνθρώπων ῥαββί NAS: and being called Rabbi by men. KJV: of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. INT: men Rabbi Matthew 23:8 Heb Matthew 26:25 Heb Matthew 26:49 Heb Mark 9:5 Heb Mark 11:21 Heb Mark 14:45 Heb John 1:38 Heb John 1:49 Heb John 3:2 Heb John 3:26 Heb John 4:31 Heb John 6:25 Heb John 9:2 Heb John 11:8 Heb |
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