Lexical Summary Abba: Father Original Word: Ἀββᾶ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Abba. Of Chaldee origin ('ab); father as a vocative -- Abba. see HEBREW 'ab HELPS Word-studies 5 Abbá – "Father," also used as the term of tender endearment by a beloved child – i.e. in an affectionate, dependent relationship with their father; "daddy," "papa." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Aramaic origin ab Definition Abba, father NASB Translation Abba (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5: ἈββᾶἈββᾶ (WH (βά), Hebrew אָב father, in the Chaldean emphatic state, אַבָּא i. e. ὁ πατήρ, a customary title of God in prayer. Whenever it occurs in the N. T. (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6) it has the Greek interpretation subjoined to it; this is apparently to be explained by the fact that the Chaldee אַבָּא, through frequent use in prayer, gradually acquired the nature of a most sacred proper name, to which the Greek-speaking Jews added the appellative from their own tongue. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term in Scripture The word appears three times in the Greek New Testament as a direct transliteration of the familiar Aramaic term for “Father.” Each instance pairs the transliteration with its Greek equivalent, forming the expression “Abba, Father.” This dual form preserves the original intimacy conveyed by the Aramaic while clarifying the meaning for Greek-speaking readers. Occurrences in the New Testament • Mark 14:36 – Jesus addresses God in Gethsemane: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” Historical and Cultural Background In first-century Jewish life, “Abba” was an everyday address used by children and adults alike, denoting both affection and respect. By retaining the Aramaic word inside a Greek text, the New Testament writers signal that the intimacy Jesus shared with the Father was so distinctive that the very sound of the address deserved preservation. Theological Significance Intimacy and Reverence “Abba” combines warmth with honor. Jesus’ use teaches that nearness to God never negates His holiness; rather, it flourishes within it. The disciples were permitted to overhear the Son’s private language, inviting them—and all who are in Him—into the same relationship. Adoption and the Spirit Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6 link the cry “Abba, Father” to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of adoption implants the Son’s own address into believers’ hearts, authenticating their status as children of God. The double cry highlights both certainty (legal adoption) and affection (familial intimacy). Ministry and Devotional Implications 1. Prayer: “Abba” encourages believers to approach the throne with filial confidence, yet conscious submission, mirroring Jesus’ “not what I will, but what You will.” Connection with Old Testament Revelation of God as Father While the Hebrew Scriptures occasionally call God “Father” (for example, Isaiah 63:16), the New Testament’s “Abba, Father” intensifies and personalizes that revelation. The continuity affirms Scripture’s unity: the Fatherhood hinted at in Israel’s covenant becomes fully manifest in the Son and extended to all who are in Him. Patristic and Early Church Use Early Christian writers such as Irenaeus and Tertullian cited the “Abba, Father” formula when explaining Trinitarian theology and the believer’s adoption. Its untranslated form in liturgy retained a living reminder of the church’s Semitic roots and the authentic words of Jesus. Contemporary Application Modern believers, regardless of language, inherit the privilege of addressing God as “Abba.” This simple cry steadies faith under trial, anchors identity amid cultural upheaval, and fuels missions by demonstrating the life-giving relationship offered in the gospel. Forms and Transliterations αββα Αββά Ἀββά Abba AbbáLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 14:36 NGRK: καὶ ἔλεγεν Ἀββά ὁ πατήρ NAS: And He was saying, Abba! Father! KJV: And he said, Abba, Father, all things INT: And he said Abba the Father Romans 8:15 N Galatians 4:6 N |
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