Thayer: father, customary title used of God in prayer. Whenever it occurs in the New Testament it has the Greek interpretation joined to it, that is apparently to be explained by the fact that the Chaldee "ABBA" through frequent use in prayer, gradually acquired the nature of a most sacred proper name, to which the Greek speaking Jews added the name from their own tongue.
Vine: ABBA ( jAbba') [Strong...5] is an Aramaic word, found in # Mark 14:36, Roma 8:15 and Gala 4:6 In the Gemara (a Rabbinical Commentary on the Mishna, the traditional teaching of the Jews) it is stated that slaves were forbidden to address the head of the
family by this title. It approximates to a personal name, in contrast to "Father," with which it is always joined in the N.T. This is probably due to the fact that, "Abba" having practically become a proper name, Greek-speaking Jews added the Greek word patêr, father, from the language they used. "Abba" is the word framed by the lips of infants, and betokens unreasoning trust; "father" expresses an intelligent apprehension of the relationship. The two together express the love and intelligent apprehension of the relationship. The two together express the love and intelligent confidence of the child.
