Difference between revisions of "Abba" - New World Encyclopedia
Scott Dunbar (talk | contribs) m (→External Links) |
Scott Dunbar (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
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. | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==New Testament Context== | ||
| + | Most scholars believe that historical Jesus primarily spoke [[Aramaic language|Aramaic]], with some [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] and [[Koine Greek|Greek]]. Generally, scholars believe that the towns of [[Nazareth]] and Capernaum where Jesus lived were Aramaic-speaking communities. Accordingly, Jesus is believed to have addressed primarily Aramaic-speaking audiences, albeit he was also knowledgeable enough in Hebrew to discuss the [[Hebrew Bible]], and that he most likely knew Greek through commerce as a carpenter in nearby Sepphoris and because Greek was the common language of the eastern part of the Roman Empire. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is generally accepted that Jesus was born a [[Jew]], and grew up in a Jewish family in Israel. For over a half-millennium, the colloquial language for Palestinian Jews was Aramaic,<ref>Casey, P.M., 2002. An Aramaic Approach to Q: Sources for the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.</ref> stemming from the [[Babylonian captivity]] and invading [[Assyria|Assyrian empire]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Aramaic word Abba, (written Αββα in Greek, and 'abbā in Aramaic), appears three times in the [[New Testament]]: | ||
| + | |||
| + | :''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.'' ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 14:36) | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the above passage, the Aramaic word Abba is immediately followed by the Greek equivalent (Πατηρ) with no explicit mention of it being a translation. The phrase ''Abba, Father'' is repeated in [[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]] 8:15 and [[Epistle to the Galatians|Galatians]] 4:6. | ||
==Linguistic Usage== | ==Linguistic Usage== | ||
===Arabic=== | ===Arabic=== | ||
| − | The [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word for "[[father]] is | + | The [[Arabic language|Arabic]] word for "[[father]] is ''Abun'', which is derived from ''abawun'' (triliteral [[aleph|']]-b-w). 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-llāhi abū-ka'' is an expression of praise, meaning "to God is attributable [the excellence of] your father". | ''li-llāhi abū-ka'' is an expression of praise, meaning "to God is attributable [the excellence of] your father". | ||
| Line 15: | Line 26: | ||
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: | + | The combination is extended beyond the literal sense: 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." | ||
| Line 33: | Line 44: | ||
===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." | ''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." | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | {{reflist}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
*D'Angelo, Mary Rose. "Abba and 'Father' Imperial Theology and the Jesus Traditions." ''Journal of Biblical Literature,'' Vol. 111, No. 4 (Winter, 1992), pp. 611-630 | *D'Angelo, Mary Rose. "Abba and 'Father' Imperial Theology and the Jesus Traditions." ''Journal of Biblical Literature,'' Vol. 111, No. 4 (Winter, 1992), pp. 611-630 | ||
| + | *Casey, P.M., ''An Aramaic Approach to Q: Sources for the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.'' Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2002. | ||
*Gray, G. Buchanan. ''Studies in Hebrew Proper Names,'' Kessinger Publishing (May 2003. ISBN 978-0766154872 | *Gray, G. Buchanan. ''Studies in Hebrew Proper Names,'' Kessinger Publishing (May 2003. ISBN 978-0766154872 | ||
*Lane, Edward William. ''Arabic English Lexicon,'' 1893. | *Lane, Edward William. ''Arabic English Lexicon,'' 1893. | ||
| Line 48: | Line 63: | ||
[[Category: Philosophy and religion]] | [[Category: Philosophy and religion]] | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Credits|Ab_(Semitic)|169333032|Aramaic_of_Jesus|173972539}} |
Revision as of 05:10, 4 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.
New Testament Context
Most scholars believe that historical Jesus primarily spoke Aramaic, with some Hebrew and Greek. Generally, scholars believe that the towns of Nazareth and Capernaum where Jesus lived were Aramaic-speaking communities. Accordingly, Jesus is believed to have addressed primarily Aramaic-speaking audiences, albeit he was also knowledgeable enough in Hebrew to discuss the Hebrew Bible, and that he most likely knew Greek through commerce as a carpenter in nearby Sepphoris and because Greek was the common language of the eastern part of the Roman Empire.
It is generally accepted that Jesus was born a Jew, and grew up in a Jewish family in Israel. For over a half-millennium, the colloquial language for Palestinian Jews was Aramaic,[1] stemming from the Babylonian captivity and invading Assyrian empire.
The Aramaic word Abba, (written Αββα in Greek, and 'abbā in Aramaic), appears three times in the New Testament:
- 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. (Mark 14:36)
In the above passage, the Aramaic word Abba is immediately followed by the Greek equivalent (Πατηρ) with no explicit mention of it being a translation. The phrase Abba, Father is repeated in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6.
Linguistic Usage
Arabic
The Arabic word for "father is Abun, which is derived from abawun (triliteral '-b-w). 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: 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." 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 (Father), the head of a monastery.
Abba or Aba is the name of an important Rabbi in the Talmud.
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."
Notes
- ↑ Casey, P.M., 2002. An Aramaic Approach to Q: Sources for the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- D'Angelo, Mary Rose. "Abba and 'Father' Imperial Theology and the Jesus Traditions." Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 111, No. 4 (Winter, 1992), pp. 611-630
- Casey, P.M., An Aramaic Approach to Q: Sources for the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2002.
- Gray, G. Buchanan. Studies in Hebrew Proper Names, Kessinger Publishing (May 2003. ISBN 978-0766154872
- Lane, Edward William. Arabic English Lexicon, 1893.
- Vermes, Geza. Jesus in His Jewish Context. Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2003. ISBN 978-0800636234
External Links
- All links retrieved on November 4, 2007.
- Abba (jewishencyclopedia.com)
- Abi and Ab in personal names (jewishencyclopedia.com)
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
