Exegetical Brief: Is Abba "Daddy"?

Abstract

John F. Brug examines the linguistic and theological claim that the Aramaic term “Abba”, used by Jesus to address God, is equivalent to the English “Daddy.” Brug analyzes the term’s grammatical structure, noting that אַבָּא is the regular Aramaic word for “father” with a definite article, serving as a vocative. He contrasts this with Greek diminutives like πάππας and παππίας, which more closely resemble “daddy” but are never used in Scripture to address God. Brug concludes that while “Abba” signifies intimacy, it does not imply informality or casualness. The term reflects a reverent, familial relationship rather than a modern, relaxed tone. Thus, the popular interpretation of “Abba” as “Daddy” lacks linguistic and biblical support and is shaped more by contemporary cultural sentiment than by textual evidence. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).