Bar

The Aram, word for 'son' ; in Aram, parts of Ezr and Dn constantly ; four times in Heb. (Pr ol-'", Ps 2'- [if text correct]). It is u.scd, especially in NT times, as the first component part of several names of persons, as Harabbas, I5ar- jesus, I5ar-jonah, Barnabas, Barsabbas, Barthol- omew, BartimiBUs, — which see in their places, J, H, TiiAYKi:. "BARABBAS. — The Greek form of the name BopaS^us represents the Aramaic Bar, abba — ' son of the teacher ' or ' of the master.'

The name is not rare in the Talm. (Lightfoot, Uor. Hebr. on Mt 27""), and one instance indicates that Abba may sometimes have been a proper name. Renan ( Vie de Jesus, p. 406) prefers Bar-rabban (the form preserved in the Harclean Syr.), which would mean 'son of a Rabbi.' So also Ewald. All four evangelists mention Barabbas as the criminal whom the hierarchy urged the multitude to demand in jireference to Jesus Christ, whom Pilate offered to release in honour of the Passover.

We are told that Barabbas was 'a notable prisoner' (Mt 27"'), 'who for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder' (Lk 23i'J), ' was lying bound with them that had made insurrection ' (Mk 15"), and that he was a 'robber' or brigand (.In 18*"). He may have been connected with the two 'robbers' who were crucified with Jesus; but we cannot be sure that the irTMiaa-rai of Mk 15" include the two robbers.

The ffrairis, or 'insur- rection,' in which Barabbas took part was perhaps a looting of houses rather than a popular up- rising. The name 'Jesus' before that of Barabbas in Mt 271*- 1' is an interesting reading found in a few cursives, in the Armenian Version, anil in some copies of the .Jerusalem Syriac, AVith this insertion Pilate's question runs thus : ' Wliom will ye that I release unto you ? Jesus Barabbas, or .Jesus which is called Christ ?

' This reading was known to Origen ; and he does not condemn it, although he thinks that the many MSS which omit the ' Jesus ' are probably right. Ewald {Life of Christ, p. 241), Renan {\'ie de Jesus, p. 400), Trench {Studies in the Gospels, p. 296), and others defend the reading ; and Meyer conjectures that the common name suggested the substitution of one Jesus for another. But the reading is rejected by all the best critics.

It would be amazing that the true reading should be lost from all uncials, nearly all cursives, and all the more ancient versions. The words of Jerome, ad loc., do not necessarily imply that ' Jesus Barabbas ' was the reading in the Gospel according to the Hebrews. He says : Iste in evanijelio quod scribitur juxta i/c^imos lilius magistri eorum interpretatur ; which may mean that this document contained the words, ' Barabbas, which being interpreted is. Son of their Master.'

But if the Gospel according to the Hebrews bad 'Jesus, Son of their Master' for 'Jesus B.arabbas,' then this may be the source from which the name ' .Jesus ' got into some copies of St. Matthew. If tlie name was not in the Gospel according to tbe Hebrews, then wc may adopt Trcgelles' conjecture, that the interpolation arose first in v,i' through accidental repetition of the last two letters of vuit; the .second IN being afterwards interpreted as an abbreviation of '{riaovy.

The copies known to Origen seem to have had the 'Irfirovr in v.'" only. That Barabb.xs had this name, and that the evan- gelists missed the startling coincidence, is not probable. A. PLUMMKU. hnrtex Scrihner^x Sons 246 BARACHEL BAEJESUS