Does Abba mean “daddy”?

It was the ordinary word a son or daughter used for their father, at any age. “Daddy” captures its closeness, but not the reverence it also carries: Jesus uses it at the most solemn moment of his life, in Gethsemane.

Where does “Abba, Father” appear in the Bible?

In Mark 14:36, in Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, and in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6, about the Spirit who leads believers to cry out to God as his children.

Greek word · Strong G5

What does Abba mean?

Abba is the Aramaic word for “father”, the word a child used for their own father. Jesus uses it as he prays in Gethsemane — “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee” (Mark 14:36) — and Paul says that, through the Spirit, believers may call God the same.

Ἀββᾶ

Abbâ · transliteration

In Strong’s lexicon: father as a vocative
In the King James: Abba3
Appears in: 3 verses

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The meaning of Abba in the Bible

The New Testament uses abba three times, always followed by its Greek translation: “Abba, Father”. It is a word of closeness and trust, not formality — the word of a child who knows they are heard. The intimacy with which Jesus calls God Father marks all his prayer, and he teaches his disciples to pray “Our Father”.

Paul uses the word to speak of adoption: “ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15; see also Galatians 4:6). Whoever believes in Christ does not approach God with a slave's fear, but with a child's confidence.

Where Abba appears

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 thou wilt.

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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.

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Galatians 4:6

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Abba mean “daddy”?: It was the ordinary word a son or daughter used for their father, at any age. “Daddy” captures its closeness, but not the reverence it also carries: Jesus uses it at the most solemn moment of his life, in Gethsemane.
Where does “Abba, Father” appear in the Bible?: In Mark 14:36, in Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, and in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6, about the Spirit who leads believers to cry out to God as his children.

The meaning of Abba in the Bible

Where Abba appears

Mark 14:36

Romans 8:15

Galatians 4:6

Frequently asked questions

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