Abba
Abba is the Aramaic word for "father." The word occurs three times in the
New Testament (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). In each case it has its Greek translation subjoined to it, reading
abba ho pater in the Greek text;
abba, pater in
the Latin Vulgate, and "Abba, Father" in the English version.
St. Paul made use of the
double expression in imitation of the early Christians, who, in their turn, used it
in imitation of the prayer of
Christ. Opinions differ as to the reason for the double expression in our Lord's prayer:
A.J. MAAS
Transcribed by Joseph A. Murphy
The 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia