AN ALPHABETICAL ANALYSIS

of words, terms and Scripture references,

used in the exposition of Dispensational Truth

AARON, see HEBREWS2.

ABBA. This Aramaic or Chaldee word is the equivalent of the Hebrew abi and means `my father', but, although so

far as translation is concerned the one word is equivalent to the other, in usage they differ in one great particular.

Abi can be used of a natural father and it can also be used of an elder, a magistrate, a ruler, but abba can only be

used of a natural or an adopting father. Dr. John Lightfoot gives a number of examples of this usage from

Rabbinical sources. Moreover, the word abba was forbidden to a slave, only sons could use the title. The word

abba is found in three passages of the New Testament, namely, in Mark 14:36, Galatians 4:6 and Romans 8:15. The

parallel passage in Matthew 26:39 reads `O My Father' which is a good translation of abba. The introduction of the

word abba in Mark's Gospel is one of the indications that Gentile readers were envisaged, and the reader may know

in the prophecy of Daniel, at chapter 2, verse 4, the words `in Syriac' indicate a change from the Hebrew, which

continues to the end of chapter 7. This is one dispensational purpose served by the presence of this word.

The other is a claim to the highest relationship with the Father, that of a `son' (for a fuller account of the

dispensational distinction between `child' and `son', see ADOPTION p. 40). Both the place of the Gentile, and the

high dignity and blessedness of being a `son' are intended by the employment of this same word in Galatians and

`And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father' (Gal.

`For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby

we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God' (Rom.

In both these epistles `bondage' is in the background of these references, and `liberty' is nothing less than `the

liberty of the glory of the sons of God' (Rom. 8:21).

This study is mainly an adjunct of a larger theme, namely that of `Adoption', and many aspects of the truth that

seem to cry out for exposition will be found under that head. The need to conserve space makes repetition, however

desirable, both uneconomical and unnecessary in a work of this character.

We append however the structure of the sections that contain the word abba in Galatians and Romans.

A 3:24,25. The schoolmaster, hupo `under'.

B 3:26-28. Ye are all sons of God, huios.

C 3:29.

`IF', heirs.

Tutors, hupo `under'.

Ye are sons, huios.

`IF', heir.

A 1-4.

No condemnation. God sent His own Son.