Rabbi rab'-i, rab'-i (rabbi; rhabbi, or rhabbei): A term used by the Jews of their religious teachers as a title of respect, from rabh, "great," so "my great one" (compare Latin magister), once of masters of slaves, but later of teachers (Matthew 23:7); therefore translated by didaskalos, "teacher" (Matthew 23:8, John 1:38; compare John 1:49). In the King James Version frequently rendered "Master" (Matthew 26:25, Matthew 26:49, Mark 9:5, Mark 11:21, Mark 14:45, John 4:31, John 9:2, John 11:8). John the Baptist (John 3:26), as well as Christ, is addressed with the title (John 1:49, John 6:25), both by disciples and others. Jesus forbade its use among His followers (Matthew 23:8). Later (Galilean) form of same, RABBONI (which see).
See TALMUD for Rabbinical literature.
Edward Bagby Pollard