Bible Encyclopedias
Abba

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ab´a ( ἀββᾶ ,אבּא , 'abbā ), Hebraic-Chaldaic, "Father"): In Jewish and old-Christian prayers, a name by which God was addressed, then in oriental churches a title of bishops and patriarchs. So Jesus addresses God in prayer (Matthew 11:25 , Matthew 11:26; Matthew 26:39 , Matthew 26:42; Luke 10:21; Luke 22:42; Luke 23:34; John 11:41; John 12:27; John 17:24 , John 17:25 ). In Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15 , and Galatians 4:6 ὁ πατήρ , ho patḗr , is appended even in direct address, in an emphatic sense. Servants were not permitted to use the appellation in addressing the head of the house. See Delitzsch on Romans 8:15; compare G. Dalman, Gram. des jüd.-palast. Aramaisch , etc., section 40, c. 3.

Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Abba'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​isb/​a/abba.html. 1915.