Strong’s G4461: A title of respect for Jewish teachers and scholars, meaning “my master” or “my teacher.” Transliterated from Hebrew/Aramaic into Greek. Used frequently in the Gospels to address Jesus, reflecting both cultural respect for teachers and recognition of His authority.

U- Unveiling the Word

ῥαββί represents a significant title of honor and respect in Jewish culture, literally meaning “my master” or “my teacher.” In New Testament usage, it appears primarily in the Gospels as a way people addressed Jesus, reflecting both cultural respect for teachers and growing recognition of His unique authority. Jesus notably critiqued its misuse for status-seeking while accepting it as an appropriate acknowledgment of His teaching role. Early church fathers saw in this term both a connection to Jewish roots and a transition to understanding Jesus as more than just a teacher. Today, this word reminds us of Jesus’s role as the ultimate teacher while warning against seeking religious titles for status.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ῥαββί, rabbi, /rabˈbi/
• Pronunciation Guide: “rab-BEE” (stress on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun/Title (indeclinable)

Etymology:

• Hebrew/Aramaic root: רַב (rav) meaning “great” or “master”
• Suffix: -י (-i) possessive “my”
• Transliterated directly into Greek

D – Defining Meanings

• My master
• My teacher
• My great one
• Honored teacher

Translation Options:

• Rabbi – Direct transliteration, most common
• Teacher – Functional equivalent
• Master – Emphasizes authority aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• διδάσκαλος (didaskalos) /diˈdaskalos/ – teacher – See G1320
• κύριος (kurios) /ˈkyrios/ – lord, master – See G2962
• ῥαββουνί (rabbouni) /rabbuˈni/ – more emphatic form of rabbi – See G4462

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• As an indeclinable noun/title:
• Maintains same form in all cases
• No gender variation
• No number variation
• Functions as vocative in direct address
• Used primarily in direct address contexts

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use as a respectful form of address. Thayer’s notes its development from Hebrew/Aramaic usage. LSJ provides limited coverage as a loan word. Vine’s highlights its significance in Gospel narratives. Strong’s connects it to teaching authority. LEH traces its usage in Jewish contexts. Moulton and Milligan show its appearance in Jewish-Greek texts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:
“And greetings in the marketplaces and being called [ῥαββί] Rabbi by others.” Matthew 23:7

Additional References:
Matthew 23:8, Matthew 26:25, Mark 9:5, Mark 11:21, John 1:38, John 1:49, John 3:2

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Since ῥαββί is a Hebrew/Aramaic term, classical Greek examples come from Hellenistic Jewish sources:

N – Noteworthy Summary

ῥαββί highlights Jesus’s role as the ultimate teacher while challenging religious pride. While accepting this title of respect, Jesus redefined it through servant leadership. This proclaims the good news by showing that true spiritual authority comes through service and that Jesus is not just another teacher but the divine Teacher who reveals God to us.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term evolved from a general honorific to a formal title during the Second Temple period.
2. Jesus’s critique of its misuse influenced early Christian attitudes toward religious titles.
3. The word’s spelling in Greek precisely preserves its Semitic pronunciation.

Strong’s G4461: A title of honor meaning “my master/teacher,” used frequently to address Jesus in the Gospels. Reflects both Jewish respect for teachers and recognition of spiritual authority. Jesus both accepted and redefined its meaning through His ministry.

Part of speech: Noun/Title (indeclinable)

Tags: rabbi, teacher, master, Jewish culture, religious titles, Jesus’s teaching, authority, respect, discipleship, Jewish education, spiritual leadership, instruction​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​