I’m reading through the New Testament this year. I’ve done the Bible in a year plans and tend to read quickly just to get finished and don’t focus on the text. So I thought I would try a plan on my iPad for just a chapter a day and try to soak it in. Yes, I’ve gone digital. Sometimes I miss the onion skin and writing in the margins. But I like to take notes and be able to find them again. I can categorize and sort on the iPad. I also enjoy shuffling translations on the fly.
Sometimes, digital bites you in the behind, though.
Take this morning. My text was Matthew 23. Almost completely in red. Jesus said it, I’d better pay attention:
They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbiby others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. (Matthew 23:5-9 ESV)
After finding a suitable definition for phylacteries, I moved on to define rabbiby. Stumped. Nothing on the web but alternate suggested spellings. Why is it in the Bible if I can’t get a definition? Get behind me Satan, I’m going to figure this out. I plugged away at the word and searched. Twenty minutes of painstaking research has brought me to the following conclusion that I would like to share with you:
1. Rabbiby could be the plural of Rabbi.
2. Rabbiby might be a term of derision used by average citizens.
3. Rabbiby possibly is a greeting given between brothers who are both scholars of the law. “Hey Rabbiby, you gonna finish that?”
My research is incomplete on this matter, and I welcome any insight. I have but one other theory – that print editors are slightly better than the digital ones. Butthatisonlyatheory.
A Generous Helping 
They like to be called rabbi by others.
Thank you. I’m embarrassed to say it took me about five reads to get to that.
DUH!!!
😛
Rabbiby would make a great word! Though it reminds me more of a rabbit than a rabbi.
I like made up words though. That might have to be a name or something down the road.
while i take more of a buddhist approach to my spirituality, i was raised catholic, and find your open-minded research approach wonderful )
Thanks Beth. I have definite opinions/ideas/beliefs. But In the end, I feel love is the key to it all for all of us.
I like print edition then flip to digital for different translations.
That makes sense. I don’t currently have a favorite translation so I move back and forth a lot.
LOL!
OMG! I literally laughed out loud when I read, “Get behind me Satan, I’m going to figure this one out”. So, have you come up with any other theories?
=)
Just that I’m a moron. I think that’s what I’m sticking with!
Too witty! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed, Levi. I got a got a laugh at myself after I figured it out. You just don’t expect formatting errors like that.
I do see them from time to time. Have a nice evening!
I see someone answered above “Rabbi”. But how about one of those strong’s dictionary, they pretty much have all words biblical:)
I’ll try that next time. I go to Wikipedia first, if it’s on the internet… LOL
You got tripped up:)
Mark, this was a great read! Your posts are hysterical. Following just cuz from the six I’ve read you have me ROTFL. Thanks. I needed that.
I am so glad you enjoyed and had a chuckle. Thank you for stopping by. (I’m still working through my prayer for Fred by the way)
🙂
If you’re using the Bible app on iPad then you’ll notice there are many words that are not spaced correctly. In fact, at the end of verse 15 “hell as” is written “hellas.” Therefore, “rabbiby” is simply “rabbi by.”
Hope this helps.
Thank you, David.