Rabbi

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

("great.") Simeon (identified by some with him who took the infant Jesus in his arms: Luke 2:25 ff) son of Hillel, shortly before Christ, was the first doctor of the law with the title Rabban (higher than Rabbi), Rabbi (higher than Rab). The disciples applied it to Christ (Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 1:38; John 1:50; John 3:2; John 4:31; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 11:8; John 13:13). Christ's prohibition of the title to the disciples (Matthew 23:7-8) is against using it in the spirit of exercising dominion over the faith of others. The triune God is the only "Father," "Master" (katheegeetes , guide, Romans 2:19; contrast John 16:13), "Teacher" (didaskalos Vaticanus manuscript Matthew 23:8) in the highest sense; on Him alone can implicit trust be placed. All are "brethren " before Him, none by office or precedence nearer to God than another. Rabboni (John 20:16) is simply "Master," the -i final in John's translated not meaning "my", as it often does.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ῥαββί (Strong'S #4461 — Noun Masculine — rabbei | rabbi — hrab-bee' )

from a word rab, primarily denoting "master" in contrast to a slave; this with the added pronominal suffix signified "my master" and was a title of respect by which teachers were addressed. The suffix soon lost its specific force, and in the NT the word is used as courteous title of address. It is applied to Christ in Matthew 26:25,49; Mark 9:5; 11:21; 14:45; John 1:38 (where it is interpreted as didaskalos, "master," marg., "teacher" (see also "Rabboni" in John 20:16 ); John 1:49; 3:2; 4:31; 6:25; 9:2; 11:8; to John the Baptist in John 3:26 . In Matthew 23:7,8 Christ forbids his disciples to covet or use it. In the latter verse it is again explained as didaskalos, "master" (some mss. have kathegetes, "a guide").

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

RABBI ( from Heb. רַב, which means as adj. ‘great’ or ‘much,’ as subst. ‘chief or ‘master.’ The final syllable is the pronominal suffix, signifying ‘my,’ the force of which, however, is not expressed in the use of the word).—A title of honour and respect addressed to religious teachers; and in this sense frequently applied in the Gospels to Jesus, and also once (John 3:26) to John the Baptist. It appears to have come into use in the time of Hillel, who was born c. [Note: circa, about.] b.c. 112. That St. John regarded it as a comparatively modern word, and not universally known in his time, seems evident from the fact that he deemed it necessary to explain its meaning (see John 1:38, where it is expressly stated to be equivalent to διδάσκαλος, rendered ‘master’ in Authorized Version, and ‘teacher’ in (Revised Version margin)). ῥαββί (ῥαββεί, WH [Note: H Westcott and Hort’s text.] ) is frequently translation ‘master’ in Authorized Version, but Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 transliterates ‘rabbi’ throughout. See Master.

Dugald Clark.

Holman Bible Dictionary

rabbi

In the New Testament the title rabbi is used only in three of the gospels. In Matthew 23:7-8 scribes generally are addressed. In John 3:26 John the Baptist is thus called by his disciples. In all other occurrences “rabbi” and an alternate form “rabboni” apply to Jesus in direct address ( Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45 , John 1:49; John 3:2; John 4:31; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 11:8; John 20:16 ).

Luke never used the term rabbi , but the word epistata , the equivalent of “school-master,” a term more meaningful to his predominantly Greek first readers (Luke 17:13 ).

A unique relationship existed between Jesus and His disciples, compared to the typical rabbi and his pupils. They were forbidden to call each other “rabbi” (Matthew 23:8 ), and in Matthew, particularly, Jesus' disciples call Him “Lord” ( Kurie ). For Matthew, Jesus was not just a teacher to His followers; He was their Lord.

Robert Stagg

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

RABBI . The transliteration of a Heb. word meaning my master. In Matthew 23:7 it is referred to as ‘the usual form of address with which the learned were greeted’ (Dalman, Words of Jesus , p. 331); in the following verse it is regarded as synonymous with ‘teacher.’ John the Baptist is once called ‘Rabbi’ by his disciples ( John 3:28 ). Elsewhere in the Gospels it is our Lord who is thus addressed: by His disciples ( Matthew 26:25; Matthew 26:49 , Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45 , John 1:38; John 1:49; John 4:31; John 9:2; John 11:8 ), by others ( John 3:2; John 6:25 ). Rabboni is the transliteration of the Pal.-Aram. [Note: Aramaic.] form of the word; it occurs twice, namely in Mark 10:51 and John 20:16 .

J. G. Tasker.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Rabbi. A title of respect signifying master, teacher, given by the Jews to their doctors and teachers, and often addressed to our Lord. Matthew 23:7-8; Matthew 26:25; Matthew 26:49; Mark 9:6; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 1:38; John 1:49; John 3:2; John 3:26; John 4:31; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 11:8.

Another form of the title was Rabboni. John 20:16. The titles were used with different degrees of honor; the lowest being rab, master; then rabbi, my master; next, rabban, our master; and greatest of all, Rabboni, my great master.

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

‘Rabbi’ was a Hebrew word meaning ‘my teacher’ or ‘my master’. Pupils used the word when addressing their teachers (Matthew 23:7; Mark 9:5; John 1:38; John 3:25-26), and it was a common title that Jesus’ disciples used in addressing him (Matthew 26:25; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 13:13-14; John 20:16). People in general used the word as a title of respect for prominent teachers in the community (Luke 3:12; Luke 10:25; John 1:49; John 3:2). The word also had a more specialized meaning as a formal title for the Jewish teachers of the law known as scribes (cf. Luke 2:46; Matthew 23:7; Acts 5:34; Acts 22:3; see SCRIBES).

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

RABBI, RABBONI

This name is variously pronounced, but all mean one and the same, namely, my master. The Rab of an house, or family, means the head of it; hence Daniel speaking of Ashpenaz, the master of the eunuchs, calls him Rab Sarism. And if there were more than one person dignified with the name of master, doctor or Lord, instead of Rabbi, my master, they were called Rabbim, masters. There were different degrees, we are told, in those titles. The head of a school or college was called Chocham. And those titles were not sought for, or studied for, by any rules or laws; but when the people discovered any to be eminently blessed with superior learning to others, he was as by general consent, called Rabbi, my master, or Chocham, wise.

Rabbim of schools sat upon places raised above their pupils; hence Paul declares; that his was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) How sweetly Christ taught humbleness concerning these names of honour! and who so suited to teach it as that humble Saviour? (Matthew 23:8) See Master

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Rabbi (răb'bî), literally my master. A title given by the Jews to teachers of the law, and frequently applied to our Lord by the disciples and the people. Matthew 28:7-8; Matthew 26:26; Matthew 26:49; Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 1:38; John 1:49; John 3:2; John 3:26, etc. The usual Greek word in the gospels as the title of Christ means "teacher." Matthew 8:19; Matthew 9:11.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A title of respect among the Jews, signifying 'master, teacher,' but is not known to have been used till the time of Herod the Great. It was applied to the Lord, though often translated 'master' in the A.V. Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 1:38,49; John 3:2,26; John 4:31; John 6:25; John 9:2; John 11:8 . Jesus forbade the disciples being called Rabbi, for one was their Master (καθηγητής),even Christ. Matthew 23:8 . According to the Jews the gradations of honour rose from Rab to Rabbi, and thence to Rabban or Rabboni.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Matthew 23:7,8Mark 9:5 John 1:38,493:26:25John 3:26

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) Master; lord; teacher; - a Jewish title of respect or honor for a teacher or doctor of the law.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

See RAB .

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rab´ı̄ , rab´i ( רבּי , rabbı̄  ; ῥαββί , rhabbı́ , or ῥαββεί , rhabbeı́ ): A term used by the Jews of their religious teachers as a title of respect, from רב , rabh , "great," so "my great one" (compare Latin magister ), once of masters of slaves, but later of teachers ( Matthew 23:7 ); therefore translated by διδάκαλος , didáskalos , "teacher" (Matthew 23:8; John 1:38; compare John 1:49 ). In the King James Version frequently rendered "Master" (Matthew 26:25 , Matthew 26:49; Mark 9:5; Mark 11:21; Mark 14:45; John 4:31; John 9:2; John 11:8 ). John the Baptist (John 3:26 ), as well as Christ, is addressed with the title (John 1:49; John 6:25 ), both by disciples and others. Jesus forbade its use among His followers (Matthew 23:8 ). Later (Galilean) form of same, Rabboni (which see). See Talmud for Rabbinical literature .

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Rabbi, a title of honor given to the teachers of the law in the time of Christ, and for which there is no exact equivalent in our language, though perhaps in purport and usage it comes near to 'doctor' or 'master:' a word combining both these significations would fairly represent it.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Rabbi'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/r/rabbi.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

My master), an appellation of honour applied to a teacher of the Law among the Jews, in frequent use among them in the days of Christ, who was frequently saluted by this title.