Abba (Hastings' Dictionary)

The transliteration (ip^a.) of the Aram, word for 'father' ; see, for example, the Targ. of Onk. (perhaps of the 1st cent.) at Gn 19* (cr. G. Dalman, Gram. d. jiid.-paldst. Aramdisch, § 40, c. 3). It occurs three times in the NT, and always in direct address, viz. in our Lord's prayer in Gethsemane as given by St. Mark (14"), and in the ' cry ' of the Spirit as referred to by St. Paul (Ro 8", Gal 4«).

The phenomena connected with the form and use of the word have occasioned divers opinions, the merits of which our present knowledge does not always enable us to pronounce upon with Sositiveness. It has been held, for instance (see ohn Li"htfoot, HorcB Hebr. ad Mc. I.e.), that when spelt with the double 6 and final a, the word refers to physical fatherhood ; accordin<;ly, our Lord's choice of that form is thought to indicate special closeness of relationship.

But the frequent use of Abba simply as a title of honour in the Mishna and Tosefta seems to disprove this opinion (Schiirer, HJF § 25, n. 30 ; cf. Jg IV, 2 K 2\ Alt 23°). On the other hand, it has been asserted that in Syr. the word with the double b denotes a spiritual father, with a single b the natural. But this dis- tinction also seems not to be sustained by usage (see Payne Smith's Lcj-iCOH, s.v.) Again, it is noteworthy that the Gr.

equivalent, i waTrjp, is appended to the term in all three instances of its occurrence. The second f^vangelist, indeed, in other cases sometimes introduces the Aram, terms used by our Lord (see 541 711. 34) . ijut in those cases the added Gr. trans- lation is preceded by an explanatory phrase dis- tinctly marking it as such. Moreover, the Apostle Paul makes the same addition of 6 Trarrip in both instances. Had the term ' Abba,' then, become a quasi proper name?

Indications are not wanting that it had already taken on a degree of con- ventional sacredness ; servants were forbidden to use it in addressing the head of the house (Beraclioth 166, cited by Delitzsch on Rom. I.e.) It seems to have been the favourite appellation of God employed by Jesus in prayer (cf. Mt 11^- 2G'»-", Lk 10-' 22^5 2:5", Jn 11" 12"-2« 17'- "•■■"■>). This would greatly promote its use in Christian circles ; and though the second word was probably added primarily by Gr.

-speaking Jews in exidana- tion of the first, usage doubtless soon gave the phrase the force of an intensilied repetition and the currency of a devotional formula. Merely impassioned repetition, indeed, ordinarily adheres to the same term (as Kvpie, /ti pic, Mt 7" ; vXl, ri\l, 27''°) ; such expressions, therefore, as val, ifi-fiv. Rev 1' (cf. 2 Co P"); 'Amen, So be it'; ' Hallelujah, Praise the Lord,' are closer ana- logues.

Rabbinical examjiles are not wanting of similar combinations; see Schoett^en, Hoioe Uebr. on Mark, I.e. J. H. Thaver. ABDA (N^3y), 'servant, K. of the Lord'; cf. names Obadiah, Abdeel, Ebed.— 1. 'E0pi B, 'A^oii A, "E5pa.li Luc Father of Adoniram, master of Solomon's forced levy (1 K 4"). 2. 'A^5ds K, 'ABSiis Luc. A Levite descended from JeduthuD (Neh 11"). Called Obadiah (1 Ch 9"). C F. BURNEY. ABDEEL ABIASAPH ABDEEL C'K^?!')

, father of Shelemiah (Jer 36«), one of those ori(ered by King Jelioiakim to arrest Jeremiah auU Uaruch. ^ept. omits.