Difference between revisions of "Abba" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | '''Ab''' means "[[father]]" in | + | In most Semitic languages, the word '''Abba''' (also rendered '''Ab''' or '''Aba''') means "[[father]]" (or more affectionally "Papa" or "Daddy.") According to the [[Christian]] [[Gospels]], Jesus used the word "Abba" when praying to [[God]], which reflected a level of intimacy unheard of in the [[Old Testament]] era. Thus, we see in early Christian faith development what appears to be a deepening of human sensibility and relationship toward God, the Father, and the concomitant richer sensibility about God's representatives within the growing faith community. |
==Arabic== | ==Arabic== | ||
| − | '''''Abun''''', from a theoretical, abstract form ''abawun'' (triliteral [[aleph|']]- | + | '''''Abun''''', from a theoretical, abstract form ''abawun'' (triliteral [[aleph|']]-b-w) is [[Arabic language|Arabic]] for "[[father]]. The dual is ''abawāni'' or ''abāni'' "two fathers" or "mother and father" (''abai-ka'' meaning "thy parents"). The plural is ''abiyna'' ([[Sura|Sura 2]]:127 has ''abiyka'' "[the God] of thy fathers"). There is a diminutive ''ubā' '', from original ''ubayūn''. |
| − | ''li- | + | ''li-llāhi abū-ka'' is an expression of praise, meaning "to God is attributable [the excellence of] your father". |
As a verb, '' '-b-w'' means "to become [as] a father to [somebody]" (''abawtu'') or "to adopt [him] as a father" (''ta'bā-hu'' or ''ista'bā-hu''). | As a verb, '' '-b-w'' means "to become [as] a father to [somebody]" (''abawtu'') or "to adopt [him] as a father" (''ta'bā-hu'' or ''ista'bā-hu''). | ||
| − | In the | + | In the construct state, ''Abū'' is followed by another word to form a complete name, e.g.: Abu Mazen, another name for Mahmoud Abbas. |
To refer to a man by his fatherhood (of male offspring) is polite, so that ''abū'' takes the function of a honorific, and the use of Abu to describe a man will cause his real name to fall into disuse. Even a man that is as yet childless may still be known as ''abū'' of his father's name, implying that he will yet have a son called after his father. | To refer to a man by his fatherhood (of male offspring) is polite, so that ''abū'' takes the function of a honorific, and the use of Abu to describe a man will cause his real name to fall into disuse. Even a man that is as yet childless may still be known as ''abū'' of his father's name, implying that he will yet have a son called after his father. | ||
| − | The combination is extended beyond the literal sense: a man may be described as acting as a father in his relation to animals, e. g., [[Abu | + | The combination is extended beyond the literal sense: a man may be described as acting as a father in his relation to animals, e. g., [[Abu Bakr]], "the father of a camel's foal;" Abu Huraira, "father of kittens." In some cases, a man's enemies will refer to him in such a way to besmirch him, e.g. Abu Jahl, "the father of ignorace". A man may be described as being the possessor of some quality, as Abu'l Gadl, "father of grace," or "the graceful one;" Abu'l Fida, "father of devotion," or "the devout one." An object or a place may be given a nickname, such as Abu'l hawl, "father of terror," (the [[Sphinx]] at [[Giza]]). Abu'l fulus, "father of money," is frequently used to refer to a place where rumors have been told of a treasure being hidden there. |
The Swahili word ''[[Bwana]]'', meaning "mister," "sir," or "lord," is derived from the Arabic ''Abuna'', "our father." | The Swahili word ''[[Bwana]]'', meaning "mister," "sir," or "lord," is derived from the Arabic ''Abuna'', "our father." | ||
==Aramaic== | ==Aramaic== | ||
| − | The [[Syriac]] or Chaldee version of the word is found three times in the [[New Testament]] ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 14:36; [[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]] 8:15; [[Epistle to the Galatians|Galatians]] 4:6), and in each case is followed by its [[Greek language|Greek]] equivalent, which is translated "father", see | + | The [[Syriac]] or Chaldee version of the word is found three times in the [[New Testament]] ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 14:36; [[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]] 8:15; [[Epistle to the Galatians|Galatians]] 4:6), and in each case is followed by its [[Greek language|Greek]] equivalent, which is translated "father", see Abba in the New Testament. If the word "Father" is found in an authentic saying of [[Jesus]], it can be safely assumed that it has been translated from an original Aramaic ''Abba''. |
The Aramaic term ''abba'' has passed via Greek and Latin into European languages as an ecclesiastical term, ''[[abbot]]. | The Aramaic term ''abba'' has passed via Greek and Latin into European languages as an ecclesiastical term, ''[[abbot]]. | ||
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==Hebrew== | ==Hebrew== | ||
| − | The exact meaning of the element ''ab'' or ''abi'' in Hebrew personal names (such as | + | The exact meaning of the element ''ab'' or ''abi'' in Hebrew personal names (such as Ab-ram, Ab-i-ram, [[Ahab|Ah-ab]], [[Joab|Jo-ab]]) is under dispute. The identity of the ''-i-'' with the first person pronominal suffix (as in [[Adonai|Adon]]a-i), changing "father" to "my father", is uncertain, it might also be simply a connecting vowel. The compound may either express a nominal phrase (''Ab[i]ram'' = "[my] father is exalted") or simply an apposition (''Ab[i]ram'' = "father of exaltedness"). Forms with the connecting vowel and with the pronominal suffix were likely confused, so that the translation will depend on what is meaningful in connection with the second element. |
| − | Most modern [[Israel]]is call their fathers ''Abba'' as one would use " | + | Most modern [[Israel]]is call their fathers ''Abba'' as one would use "Dad" or "Daddy" in English. |
==Ethiopian== | ==Ethiopian== | ||
| − | + | ''Abba'' is also an Ethiopian (Ethiosemitic) title derived from ''ab'' ("father") used for some clergy men (sometimes, though rarely, substituted for ''Abuna'', "our father.") ''Abbaa'' is an Oromo (Ethiopian Cushitic) title of respect meaning "father." | |
==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | *Gray, ''Hebrew Proper Names,'' pp. 22-34, 75-86; | ||
| + | *Edward William Lane, Arabic English Lexicon, 1893 | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=122&letter=A&search=Abba Abba] (jewishencyclopedia.com) | *[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=122&letter=A&search=Abba Abba] (jewishencyclopedia.com) | ||
*[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=257&letter=A&search=Ab Abi and Ab in personal names] (jewishencyclopedia.com) | *[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=257&letter=A&search=Ab Abi and Ab in personal names] (jewishencyclopedia.com) | ||
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[[Category: Religion]] | [[Category: Religion]] | ||
Revision as of 07:15, 3 December 2007
In most Semitic languages, the word Abba (also rendered Ab or Aba) means "father" (or more affectionally "Papa" or "Daddy.") According to the Christian Gospels, Jesus used the word "Abba" when praying to God, which reflected a level of intimacy unheard of in the Old Testament era. Thus, we see in early Christian faith development what appears to be a deepening of human sensibility and relationship toward God, the Father, and the concomitant richer sensibility about God's representatives within the growing faith community.
Arabic
Abun, from a theoretical, abstract form abawun (triliteral '-b-w) is Arabic for "father. The dual is abawāni or abāni "two fathers" or "mother and father" (abai-ka meaning "thy parents"). The plural is abiyna (Sura 2:127 has abiyka "[the God] of thy fathers"). There is a diminutive ubā' , from original ubayūn.
li-llāhi abū-ka is an expression of praise, meaning "to God is attributable [the excellence of] your father".
As a verb, '-b-w means "to become [as] a father to [somebody]" (abawtu) or "to adopt [him] as a father" (ta'bā-hu or ista'bā-hu).
In the construct state, Abū is followed by another word to form a complete name, e.g.: Abu Mazen, another name for Mahmoud Abbas.
To refer to a man by his fatherhood (of male offspring) is polite, so that abū takes the function of a honorific, and the use of Abu to describe a man will cause his real name to fall into disuse. Even a man that is as yet childless may still be known as abū of his father's name, implying that he will yet have a son called after his father.
The combination is extended beyond the literal sense: a man may be described as acting as a father in his relation to animals, e. g., Abu Bakr, "the father of a camel's foal;" Abu Huraira, "father of kittens." In some cases, a man's enemies will refer to him in such a way to besmirch him, e.g. Abu Jahl, "the father of ignorace". A man may be described as being the possessor of some quality, as Abu'l Gadl, "father of grace," or "the graceful one;" Abu'l Fida, "father of devotion," or "the devout one." An object or a place may be given a nickname, such as Abu'l hawl, "father of terror," (the Sphinx at Giza). Abu'l fulus, "father of money," is frequently used to refer to a place where rumors have been told of a treasure being hidden there.
The Swahili word Bwana, meaning "mister," "sir," or "lord," is derived from the Arabic Abuna, "our father."
Aramaic
The Syriac or Chaldee version of the word is found three times in the New Testament (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6), and in each case is followed by its Greek equivalent, which is translated "father", see Abba in the New Testament. If the word "Father" is found in an authentic saying of Jesus, it can be safely assumed that it has been translated from an original Aramaic Abba.
The Aramaic term abba has passed via Greek and Latin into European languages as an ecclesiastical term, abbot.
Abba or Aba is the name of an important Rabbi in the Talmud. See the disambiguation page for other notable people whose name is Abba.
It is a common misconception and popular anecdote that abba meant "Daddy" in Aramaic, but there are no historical sources that testify to this.
Hebrew
The exact meaning of the element ab or abi in Hebrew personal names (such as Ab-ram, Ab-i-ram, Ah-ab, Jo-ab) is under dispute. The identity of the -i- with the first person pronominal suffix (as in Adona-i), changing "father" to "my father", is uncertain, it might also be simply a connecting vowel. The compound may either express a nominal phrase (Ab[i]ram = "[my] father is exalted") or simply an apposition (Ab[i]ram = "father of exaltedness"). Forms with the connecting vowel and with the pronominal suffix were likely confused, so that the translation will depend on what is meaningful in connection with the second element.
Most modern Israelis call their fathers Abba as one would use "Dad" or "Daddy" in English.
Ethiopian
Abba is also an Ethiopian (Ethiosemitic) title derived from ab ("father") used for some clergy men (sometimes, though rarely, substituted for Abuna, "our father.") Abbaa is an Oromo (Ethiopian Cushitic) title of respect meaning "father."
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Gray, Hebrew Proper Names, pp. 22-34, 75-86;
- Edward William Lane, Arabic English Lexicon, 1893
External Links
- Abba (jewishencyclopedia.com)
- Abi and Ab in personal names (jewishencyclopedia.com)
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