What is a…
Rabbi

Greek: ῥαββί —transliteration: rhabbi —meaning: “my master”;“ my teacher” (an official title of respect for a spiritual teacher-scholar); My great one, my honorable sir

Derived from the Hebrew word רב‎ —transliteration: rav‎ —literally means “great one,” “master” or “revered” / “rabbeinu” means “our master” and ha-rav “the master”

This ia a title of dignity given by the Jews to their doctors of the law and their distinguished teachers. A rabbi is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. However, the occupation of Rabbi never appears in the Old Testament scriptures. The title was apparently begun in the 1st Century AD.

Rabbis mentioned in the New Testament

• The famed Gamaliel

• Scribes and Pharisees observed by Jesus

  Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and keep, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. And they love the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by men. —Matthew 23:1-7 LSB

• John the Baptist was addressed as Rabbi (John 3:26).

  And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have borne witness, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” —John 3:26 LSB

• Yeshua, Jesus Christ was addressed as rabbi by His disciples (Matthew 26:25; 26:49; Matt. 23:7-8; Mark 9:5; 11:21; John 1:38, 1:49) and by others (John 3:2; 6:25). The accuracy of his teachings was proven by His miracles.

  this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” —John 3:2 LSB

  Even as a 12 year old child, Jesus was a teacher of the teachers in the Temple. All who heard Him were amazed.

Jesus forbid his disciples from using or accepting the title of rabbi.

But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. —Matthew 23:8 LSB

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