Rabbi
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Rabbi in the Bible?
A term used by Jews to refer to their religious teachers with respect, derived from 'rabh', meaning 'great'. It was often translated as 'teacher' or 'master'.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the role of a Rabbi clarifies the social and religious context of the New Testament, revealing how Jesus engaged with established Jewish authority structures and how his disciples were trained in oral tradition and scriptural interpretation.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Rabbi reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Rabbi in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Rabbi clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Rabbi." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/rabbi/