ABBA Father: The Meaning 

ABBA Father: The Meaning 

Abba is the transliteration of the Aramaic word for Father.

It occurs three times in the Renewed Covenant (New Testament). It is always used as a direct address to YAHUAH ELOHIYM The Father. 

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And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.

MARQUS (MARK) 14:36

For ye have not received the RUACH of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the RUACH of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

ROMAIYM (ROMANS) 8:15

And because ye are sons, YAHUAH has sent forth the RUACH of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

GALATIYM (GALATIANS) 4:6

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It is the cry of the RUACH (Spirit) of YAHUAH in the believer. 

Historically, this word would be used during New Testament times by a child addressing his or her father. It would have been akin to the modern use of papa. 

However, the New Testament writers are careful to avoid too great a familiarity in addressing YAHUAH ELOHIYM. Instead of translating Abba, they transliterate it, so that it takes on special significance in reference to YAHUAH ELOHIYM. Then, Abba is used in conjunction with the word Father – “Abba, Father.” Father is the translation of Abba, but by putting the two together, the address to YAHUAH ELOHIYM is both personalized and kept in the proper tone of respect. The double title has both intimacy and dignity.

By His nature as the Son of YAHUAH ELOHIYM, YAHUSHA had the right to familiarly address His Father. The occasion where we see this is in the Garden of Gethsemane when YAHUSHA struggled with the cup He was to drink. In His human spirit, He desired the cup to be removed. Yet, in His obedience as the Son, He declared, “nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will. 

This incident provides a glance into the intimate communion between the Father and the Son. The Son’s faithfulness to obey the most difficult of acts, an act by which the holy Son of YAHUAH ELOHIYM became sin for mankind, was proof of the depth of His love for the Father (John 14:31

But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. 

By his union with YAHUSHA The Messiah, the believer enters into the same intimacy with the Father. Instead of the fear of bondage, the believer receives “the Set-Apart Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15

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. 

and enters into “the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:5

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

By reason of this sonship, “YAHUAH ELOHIYM hath sent forth the RUACH (Spirit) of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6)

And because ye are sons, YAHUAH ELOHIYM hath sent forth the RUACH (Set-Apart Spirit) of his Son into your hearts, crying, ABBA, Father. 

The legal relationship is created by adoption; the intimacy is assured by the entrance of Messiah YAHUSHA into our hearts. We then cry, “ABBA, Father,” with the RUACH HAQODESH (Set-Apart Spirit) of the Son. As stated in 1John 1:3

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son YAHUSHA The Messiah.

“Truly our fellowship is with the Father YAHUAH, and with his Son YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH (The Messiah).”

Gerald W Thomas