Original Word: ῥαββουνί
Part of Speech: Aramaic Transliterated Word (Indeclinable)
Transliteration: rhabbouni
Pronunciation: hrab-boo-NEE
Phonetic Spelling: (hrab-bon-ee')
KJV: Lord, Rabboni
NASB: Rabboni
Word Origin: [of Chaldee origin, corresponding to G4461 (ῥαββί - Rabbi)]

1. my master, i.e Rabboni, as an official title of honor

Lord, Rabboni.

Or rhabbouni (hrab-boo-nee') of Chaldee origin; corresponding to rhabbi -- Lord, Rabboni.

see GREEK rhabbi

4462 rhabboní (rabboní) – the emphatic form of 4461 /rhabbí ("rabbi"), note the suffix (-oni). 4462 /rhabboní ("high-rhabbi") refers to the top religious leader in Judaism, like the president of the Great Sanhedrin who functioned as the religious leader of the nation.

Word Origin
of Aramaic origin, cf. rab
Definition
my master, my teacher
NASB Translation
Rabboni (2).

STRONGS NT 4462: Ῥαββονί

Ῥαββονί (so Rec. in Mark 10:51) and ραββουνι (WH ῥαββονει, see references under ῤαββί, at the beginning) (Chaldean רִבּון, lord; רַבָּן, master, chief, prince; cf. Levy, Chald. WB. üb.

d. Targumim, ii., p. 401), Rabboni, Rabbuni (apparently (yet cf. references below) the Galilaean pronunciation of רִבּונִי), a title of honor and reverence by which Jesus is addressed; as interpreted by John, equivalent to διδάσκαλος: John 20:16; Mark 10:51 (see ῤαββί). Cf. Keim, iii., p. 560 (English translation, vi., p. 311f); Delitzsch in the Zeitschr. f. d. luth. Theol. for 1876, pp. 409 and 606; also for 1878, p. 7; (Ginsburg and Hamburger, as in the preceding word; Kautzsch, Gram. d. Biblical-Aram., p. 10).

Summary of Usage

Strong’s Greek number 4462 occurs twice in the New Testament—Mark 10:51 and John 20:16. In both settings it is voiced directly to Jesus Christ as a form of personal address meaning “my great teacher” or “honored master.” The term stands at the intersection of reverence, relationship, and recognition of Jesus’ authority.

Historical Background in First-Century Judaism

Jewish teachers in the late Second-Temple period were commonly addressed as “Rabbi,” a title conveying honor for legal and scriptural expertise. The intensified form preserved in 4462 adds an element of personal devotion and heightens the respect conveyed. Its Aramaic origin reflects the everyday speech of Galilean Jews, underscoring the authenticity of the Gospel narratives and grounding Jesus’ ministry in the language of the common people.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Mark 10:51. A blind beggar in Jericho cries, “Rabboni, I want to see again”. His plea shows faith that the Teacher possesses power to restore sight—a prophetic sign of messianic identity (Isaiah 42:7).

2. John 20:16. On resurrection morning Jesus calls Mary Magdalene by name. She turns and exclaims, “Rabboni!”. In a single word she acknowledges both the intimacy of their prior discipleship relationship and the awe engendered by His victory over death.

Theological Significance in Christology

The selective use of 4462 illuminates key confessions about Jesus:

• Authority: He is not merely a teacher among many; He is the definitive Teacher whose word carries divine power (Mark 1:22).

• Revelation: The restored sight of Bartimaeus parallels spiritual illumination; the risen Jesus enlightens hearts to recognize Him (2 Corinthians 4:6).

• Relationship: The address conveys personal attachment. Salvation is relational, not impersonal; Christ calls each believer by name (John 10:3).

Implications for Discipleship and Ministry

1. Faith-filled Approach. Bartimaeus models the bold faith that comes to Jesus expecting transformation (Hebrews 11:6).

2. Hearing and Responding. Mary’s recognition after hearing her own name reminds believers to cultivate sensitivity to the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27).

3. Teaching Ministry. Those called to instruct the church follow the pattern of the supreme Teacher, pointing beyond themselves to Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Contemporary Application

• Worship Language: While modern English substitutes “Lord” or “Teacher,” the heart response embodied in 4462 challenges worshipers to approach Christ with both affection and reverence.

• Pastoral Care: Calling individuals by name, as Jesus did, diminishes anonymity and communicates value—an essential pastoral practice.

• Spiritual Vision: Physical sight restored in Mark foreshadows spiritual insight. Believers petition the exalted Rabbi for continual illumination through Scripture (Psalm 119:18).

Conclusion

Strong’s 4462, though rare, offers a rich window into how early followers perceived Jesus—personal yet exalted, approachable yet authoritative. Its two appearances frame the spectrum of human need and divine provision: healing on one side of the cross and resurrection joy on the other, each anchored in the cry, “Rabboni.”

ραββονί Ραββουνει Ῥαββουνεί ραββουνι ραββουνί rabbouniInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts