The Origin and Meaning of the Word

’Abba’ is clearly cognate with the Hebrew word ’ab (pronounced ’ahv), “Father.” More specifically, it would be cognate to the Hebrew word with the definite article, ha’ab (“the Father”), because the ending -a’ on the Aramaic makes it a determined or definite noun. Hence, the translation could be “the Father” or “my Father” of just “Father.”

The Significance of Calling God “Father”

Since the word was used in the Bible as a critical part of the faith, we need to look more closely at the usage to determine the significance. Whenever Jesus used the word to refer to God, it was “the Father” or “my Father”; but he taught others to say “our Father.” This specification singled the word out as a highly significant term for theology. In the three places in the New Testament where “‘Abba’, Father” occurs (Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6) the Greek has the nominative with the article: abba, ho pater. The consistency of this indicates that it was a literal rendering of the idea in the original, and that it understood the noun to be in the emphatic state and to mean either “the Father” or “Father” specifically. It also had the vocative function, “father” (as “O Father”).

What, then, does the term “Father” for God mean for use? First, to call God Father is to speak of him as the absolutely sovereign God of creation. Even in the pagan pantheons the highest God is called “the father of the gods,” not to indicate that he procreated them all, but that he was sovereign among the gods. But in the Bible since Yahweh God created everything by himself, he alone is sovereign; and what he created he governs. There are no other gods; he has no rivals. Thus “Father” is a high title indeed. And no other designation would do what this metaphor does to reveal God as the Sovereign Creator..

Second, to call God “Father” is to use covenant language. In all of God’s covenants, the people are “sons” or “children” by their adoption into the covenant. Even in the secular world this was so; one of Israel’s kings became a “son” of Pul (Tiglathpileser) when he became his vassal. But in the biblical covenants we find this most clearly expressed. In Exodus 4:22, 23 Israel is called God’s son because Israel has a covenant with God (the Abrahamic Covenant was in place, and the Sinaitic Covenant was about to be built on it). Playing on the word “son,” God told Pharaoh through Moses to let his son (Israel) go, or he would kill Pharaoh’s son. Later, Hosea repeats this usage when he records how God called his son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1).5 Israel was God’s “son.”

Likewise in the New Covenant this same language of Father and son is used. We who have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ have been given the right to be called the sons of God (John 1:12, 13), sons by adoption (Rom. 8:15, 16). And so the Spirit of God prompts us to say, ’Abba’, Father, because we are members of the New Covenant. That is why Jesus taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father, who art in heaven.”

What, then, does the term “Father” for God mean for use? First, to call God Father is to speak of him as the absolutely sovereign God of creation. Even in the pagan pantheons the highest God is called “the father of the gods,” not to indicate that he procreated them all, but that he was sovereign among the gods. But in the Bible since Yahweh God created everything by himself, he alone is sovereign; and what hhe created he governs. There are no other gods; he has no rivals. Thus “Father” is a high title indeed. And no other designation would do what this metaphor does to reveal God as the Sovereign Creator..

Ye Have But One Father The Father Of Creation… The Father Of Gods… The Father Of Sons… O ABBA FATHER… THE HOLY GHOST… O FATHER…

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion today,” the center said.

NOAH NOACH… No Outcasts Allowed Here… Now Only Abbas Children’s Here… while he was called in general “Noah,” his father named him “Menahem” smile emoticon “the comforter”).

John 14:26 King James Version (KJV)

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.