How many times is "Abba" used in the Bible?

What does the word "Abba" mean?

How should it be approached in usage?

Do any of the writings of EGW give us any insight on the use of the word "Abba"?

Daryl:

Abba is an Aramaic word that I believe is best translated by "Daddy". I.E. It conotates the close relationship that a small child would have with a kind, protective, and caring Father.

I asked the questions while at work.

Now that I am on my home computer, I did a word search of "Abba" and discovered the following in a Bible software program that I have:

quote:

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Aramaic/Hebrew for 'father'. [Romans 8:15]
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, ABBA, Father.

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There wasn't any mention of the word "Daddy" in the one I found and quoted above.

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Gregory,

Do you have a reference where it actually refers to Abba as Daddy?

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Everybody,

What connotation does "Daddy" give to you when using Daddy in relation to God the Father?

My immediate response is that I can't see me referring to Jehovah God as Daddy simply for the fact that it doesn't seem to be respectful of who it is we are addressing.

The following Bible texts that uses the word "Abba" may help answer the question on the meaning of the word:

quote:

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Mark 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

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These are the only times that the word "Abba" is used in the whole Bible.

Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Jesus prayer of submition to His Father.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Identifying what relation the Father of Jesus is through Him toward us.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

The replication of the same spirit of submission and dependance within Jesus, now implanted and imparted (nurtured through colaboration with Jesus), in belivers of every century who look to the Father's accepting them in the Beloved.


5 Abba Abba ab-bah’

of Aramaic origin 02 aba; TDNT-1:5,1; n

AV-Abba 3; 3

Abba =" father"

1) father, customary title used of God in prayer. Whenever it occurs in the New Testament it has the Greek interpretation joined to it, that is apparently to be explained by the fact that the Chaldee "ABBA" through frequent use in prayer, gradually acquired the nature of a most sacred proper name, to which the Greek speaking Jews added the name from their own tongue.

5. Abba Abba ab-bah’; of Aramaic origin [02]; father (as a vocative case):—Abba.

(What is the vocative case ? How is it used & what happens to the gist of the communication because of it? )

Abba = 23 SOP hits

I am clearly not an expert in other languages. My coment was based on what I have been told, right or wrong.

I doubt that a search of the Bible will reveal such a meaning. I will suggest that it will be much better to go to a lexicon. While I can check, I don't think I have an Aramaic lexicon what would resolve this question.

As to calling God Daddy: In the time of Christ, most Hebrew people looked on God as much less than friendly. Part of Christ's mission was to present to them a picture of God as a God of love. I suggest that part of this may have been to tell them that God was as loving, kind, and protective as was the ideal human Father.

On a personal basis, I have found comfort, when in trouble, with looking to God as my Daddy.

I have been folowing this discussion, without posting, but,Gregory, I just had to post tonight!

You said that on a personal basis, you found comfort in looking to God as your Daddy. I understand you perfectly!

Don't you believe that when a child is growing up, their image of Father God is their "Daddy." That is the authority figure they know, and they either love, respect,depend on, fear, or in some instances, when abused, even hate him.

Or, perhaps, as in my case, it could be a mixture.
I loved my Dad,and depended on him, (and I never remember him letting me down, or not keeping his word.) But, I sure had a healthy respect for him!

He never hit me, not once, he did not have to. If I was misbehaving, all he had to do was to give me one of those "looks" and maybe call my name.

I wanted to please him, not disappoint him, (although I know just like I have my Heavenly Father, I did disappoint him, especially as I got older.)

When I was 14, I represented my school in a county spelling "bee." My Dad walked several miles,in almost freezing weather to be able to be there. I felt that I just must win that, not because he would be disappointed in me if I did not, but, because he was sitting right up front, cheering me on, with his eyes, and the look on his face. I won the spelling bee.

This reminds me of some of Paul's writings, where he speaks of running the races on earth to receive an earthly prize. Yes, that was an earthly prize, but, the pleasure in my Dad was so obvious, that was all the prize I needed.

I think that is how it is and will be with God. He will be so glad to have us with Him, if we make it. For, Jesus told His Father, I want to have them with me where I am. Our Heavenly Father wants us there, also. The whole Bible makes that clear! If we are not there, it will be only because we did not heed those "looks" and when He has called our names, (and even had to chastise a bit, to get my attention, at times!) And, if we have not, at the same time, realized His love for us.

No, I do not call Him "Daddy," even in prayer, and only a few times when in agony of spirit, have I called Him Abba, Father, in prayer. But, yes, in my mind, He is the "Daddy" I could depend on, the Daddy who wanted the best for me, who cheered me on, and who made me believe I could make it!! But, I made it with my Daddy's help, just as we are told we can with our Heavenly Father..."I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," And, Jesus did say, "if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father." Or, the character of the Father...

In His Love,
Dora

"Since this Aramaic form is found in rabbinic literature even in Hebrew contexts, it indicates that it was a commonly used colloquialism of a close relationship between children and their father, which in the passages of Biblical prayers is transferred to the relationship between the Christian and his God."

See SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST BIBLE DICTIONARY, REVISED EDITION, COMMENTARY REFERENCE SEERIES, Vol. 8, page 2, "abba"

Note: This defination is specific to the exact wording "abba ho pater" that is found in all of the three NT verses. [Mark 14:36, Romans 8:15 & Gal. 4:6]

This close relatioonship between children and their father seems to support the oen who told me it best meant "daddy".

So, what does it mean to you to know you can call God "daddy"? Dora has already answered taht question.

God is a God of love, and closeness to His children.

Personally I will stick with Father...when I think of the word "daddy" it does not seem to have respect for God. To me the word "daddy" is our word for our human father, who for some, fall far short of being anything good to think about. Using the word "daddy" in concection with our Heavenly Father seems to bring God down to our level when we should be brought up to His level. Kinda sends chills down my spine just to type this thinking about calling my Father in Heaven a common name like "daddy".

I understand.

However, in our human life, the word "Father" has more negative conotations among children who experienced a Fatehr in some very negative ways than does the term Daddy.

As to the useage of "Abba", taht is the term that Christ, our example used. As such, that provides Biblical support for us to use it. The critical issue is what did "Abba" mean in the common language of Christ's time. The answer to that is: Daddy.

But, address God witht he term fAther if you desire. That also has Biblical support.