Sept-Dec p1 2005

There has been a spate of controversy going on between Karaite and Rabbinic Judaism recently, especially because of the calendar controversy on which we touched base in our previous newsletter. Even Messianic Judaism got into the fray and it was disgusting to read much of what was said and directed against the Karaites.

While the Karaites haven’t embraced Yah-shua as the Messiah as yet, one certainly has to respect their approach to the Scriptures. They allow no tainting from the Kaballah nor the Talmud. They recognize the Talmud for what it is, TRADITIONS OF MEN. These are the same traditions that Yahshua spoke against declaring that they were making the commandments of Yahweh of none effect by those traditions.

The problem is that many in the Sacred Names are being affected by this Talmudic Rabbinic Judaism and we have more and more of our people, especially leaders, desiring to be recognized by the title “RABBI.”

Just what does “Rabbi” mean? It comes from the Hebrew word “rab” which is utilized throughout Scripture to mean great, many, much, more, etc. Here is how it is utilized in Ex. 23:2, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude (rab) to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many (rab) to wrest judgment.”

ORIGIN OF THE TITLE

The Babylonians were the ones who began to utilize this word as one in an official capacity, at least from what we can study out in the Scriptures. We read in the book of 2 Kings, “And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain (rab) of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:

9 And he burnt the house of Yahweh, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire.

10 And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain (rab) of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.

11 Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain (rab) of the guard carry away.

12 But the captain (rab) of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.

13 And the pillars of brass that were in the house of Yahweh, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of Yahweh, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.

14 And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.

15 And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain (rab) of the guard took away.

16 The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of Yahweh; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

17 The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.

18 And the captain (rab) of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

19 And out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the king's presence, which were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the host, which mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the city:

20 And Nebuzaradan captain (rab) of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah,” 2 Ki. 25:8-20.

In Jer. 39:9-13, 40:1-5, 41:1, 10; 43:6; 52:12, 14-16, 19, 24, 26, and 40 the same condition exists. The word “rab” is utilized in reference to captains in the Babylonian army. Daniel utilizes it as the master (rab) of the eunuchs (Dan. 1:3). The book of Jonah utilizes it for shipmaster (rab chobel). (see Jonah 1:6)

In 2 Ki. 18:17, Jer. 39:3, 13 we find a man named Rabsaris which means “chief (rab) chamberlain (saris). In the same two verses of Jeremiah there is one named Rabmag (chief [rab] magician).

This title seems to have been passed down from Babylon to Persia for Esther 1:8 speaks of the officers or chiefs (rab) of the king. A careful perusal of all of the Scriptures wherein the word “rab” occurs, and there are many, reveals that no Israelite was ever referred to as a “rab,” “rabbi,” etc. before the Babylonian captivity.

DICTIONARIES & ENCYCLOPEDIAS

Going to the dictionaries and encyclopedias will give us a good deal more information concerning this title:

RAB'BIN, n.

A title assumed by the Jewish doctors, signifying master or lord. This title is not conferred by authority, but assumed or allowed by courtesy to learned men. (Webster’s Dictionary [E-Sword])

Rabbi

rab´ī, rab´i (רבּי, rabbī; ῥαββί, rhabbí, or ῥαββεί, rhabbeí): A term used by the Jews of their religious teachers as a title of respect, fromרב , rabh, “great,” so “my great one” (compare Latin magister), once of masters of slaves, but later of teachers (Mat_23:7); therefore translated by διδάκαλος, didáskalos, “teacher” (Mat_23:8; Joh_1:38; compare Joh_1:49). In the King James Version frequently rendered “Master” (Mat_26:25, Mat_26:49; Mar_9:5; Mar_11:21; Mar_14:45; Joh_4:31; Joh_9:2; Joh_11:8). John the Baptist (Joh_3:26), as well as [the Messiah], is addressed with the title (Joh_1:49; Joh_6:25), both by disciples and others. [Yahshua] forbade its use among His followers (Mat_23:8). Later (Galilean) form of same, RABBONI (which see). See TALMUD for Rabbinical literature. (ISBE)

Rabbi

Rabbi. A title of respect signifying master, teacher, given by the Jews to their doctors and teachers, and often addressed to our Lord. Mat_23:7-8; Mat_26:25; Mat_26:49; Mar_9:6; Mar_11:21; Mar_14:45; Joh_1:38; Joh_1:49; Joh_3:2; Joh_3:26; Joh_4:31; Joh_6:25; Joh_9:2; Joh_11:8.

Another form of the title was Rabboni. Joh_20:16. The titles were used with different degrees of honor; the lowest being rab, master; then rabbi, my master; next, rabban, our master; and greatest of all, Rabboni, my great master. (Smith’s Bible Dictionary)

Look at these definitions! Rabbi means “my master,” “my lord,” “my great one,” “my great teacher,” etc.

NEW TESTAMENT

By the time Yahshua appeared on the scene, the Jewish leaders, especially the Pharisees, had adopted the title “Rabbi.”

Yahshua is called “Rabbi” several times in the Scriptures. In the book of John we read, “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.

34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of Elohim.

35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36 And looking upon Yahshua as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of Elohim!

37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Yahshua.

38 Then Yahshua turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?” Jn. 1:32-38.

In this instance Yahshua is referred to as Master or My Master. This is the interpretation given here in this set of Scriptures.

A member of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus, also called Him Rabbi, “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Yahshua by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from Elohim: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except Elohim be with him,” Jn. 3:1-2.

In this instance, Nicodemus is referring to Him as a teacher, another of the meanings of Rabbi.

Yahshua had fed five thousand men besides women and children with five barley loaves and two small fishes. He sent His disciples on ahead of Him in a boat. He came to His disciples walking on the water. The people who had been fed with the loaves and fishes discovered that He and His disciples were nowhere to be found so they went to Capernaum seeking Him. When they found Him they said, “Rabbi, when camest thou hither?” Jn. 6:25.

In this instance, they could be referring to Him as “My Great One” because of the mighty miracles that He had performed.

John the Baptist was also referred to as “Rabbi” by his own disciples, “Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him,” Jn. 3:25-26.

Since John was their leader and teacher, his disciples would have been referring to him as such. However, John belittled himself in their eyes proclaiming the greatness of the One Who is the Bridegroom (Yahshua). This was John’s pre-ordained job to prepare the way for Yahshua in the hearts of the people so that He would be received.

THE FORBIDDEN