About the time of our Saviour Christ his Nativity, Titles began to be multiplied; and amongst the rest, these of _Rab_, _Ribbi_, _Rabbi_, and _Rabban_, were in especial use: they all are derived from ‎‏רבב‏‎ _Rabab_, signifying, _multiplicatus fuit_, and they sound as much as πολυμαθέστατος, that is, a _Master_, or _Doctor_ eminently gifted with variety of Knowledge. Concerning these titles, they write thus,[73] that _Rabbi_ is a more excellent title than _Rab_, and _Rabban_ more excellent then _Rabbi_; and the simple name without any title, as _Haggai_, _Zachary_, _Malachy_, was more excellent than _Rabban_. About this time they used a set form of Discipline in their Schools. The Scholar was termed ‎‏תלמיד‏‎, _Talmid_, a _Disciple_, in respect of his Learning; ‎‏קטן‏‎ _Katan_, a _Junior_, in respect of his minority; ‎‏בחור‏‎ _Bachur_, that is, one _chosen_, or _elected_ in respect of his _election_, or _cooptation_, into the number of Disciples; After he had proved a good Proficient, and was thought worthy of some degree, then was he by imposition of hands made a _Graduate_ ‎‏חבר‏‎ _Chaber_, a _Companion_ to a _Rabbi_. This imposition of hands, they termed ‎‏סמכה‏‎, _vel_ ‎‏סמיכות‏‎, _Semicah_, or _Semicuth_, which Ceremony they observed in imitation of _Moses_ towards _Joshua_. The Lord said unto _Moses_, Take thou _Joshua_ the son of _Nun_, in whom is the Spirit, and _put thine hand upon him_, _Numb. 27. 18._ At which time he that imposed hands on him, used this form of words,[74] _I associate thee, and be thou associated_. After this when he was worthy to teach others, then was he called _Rabbi_, and whereas in his minority, his own name being suppressed, he was called onely by his _Fathers name_, _the son of N._ When he was made _Graduate_ by _imposition of hands_, then was he called by his _own name_, _N. the son of N._ And afterward when he was thought worthy to teach, then was the Title _Rabbi_ prefixed, after this manner; _Rabbi N. the son of N._ For example, _Maimonides_; at first was termed onely _Ben Maimon_, the son of _Maimon_; after his degree, then was he called by his own name, added to his fathers, _Moses Ben Maimon_, _Moses the son of Maimon_: at last being licenced to teach, then was he called ‎‏רמבם‏‎ _Rambam_, which abbreviature consisting of Capital Letters, signifeth, _Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon_, _Rabbi Moses the son of Maimon_. So _Rabbi Levi_, the son of _Gersom_, in his minority was called _the son of Gersom_, afterward _Levi the son of Gersom_ at last, ‎‏רלבג‏‎ _Ralbag_, _Rabbi Levi the son of Gersom_. This distinction of _Scholars_, _Companions_, & _Rabbies_, appeareth by that speech of an ancient _Rabbi_, saying,[75] _I learned much of my Rabbies, or Masters, more of my companions, most of all of my Scholars_. That every _Rabbi_ had Disciples, and that his own Disciples, and other well-wishers stiled him by the name of _Rabbi_, in the dayes of our Saviour, needeth no proof. _Judas_ came to _Christ_ and said, _God save thee Rabbi_, _Mat. 26. 49._ In like manner _Johns Disciples_ came and saluted _John_ by the name of _Rabbi_, _John 3. 26._ and _Christ_ by the name of _Rabbi_, _John 1. 38._ But whether there was such a formal imposition of hands then in use, I much doubt. The manner of their meetings, when Disputations were had in their Synagogues, or other Schools, was thus.[76] The chief _Rabbies_ sate in reserved Chairs; these are those chief seats of the Synagogues, which the Scribes and Pharises so affected, _Mat. 23. 6._ Their _Companions_ sate upon Benches or lower Forms; their Scholars on the ground at the feet of their Teachers. Saint _Paul_ was brought up at the feet of _Gamaliel_, _Act. 22. 2._ And _Mary_ sate at _Jesus feet_, and heard his word, _Luk. 10. 39._ The positure of their body differed according to their degrees. The _Rabbi_ is described[77] to be ‎‏יושב‏‎ _Joscheb_, one that _sitteth_: the _Companion_, ‎‏מוטת‏‎ _Muteth_, the word signifieth a kind of leaning upon a bed or bench, ones head lying in the others bosome, in manner of the ancient sitting at table; and it was a deportment of the body, inferiour to that of _sitting_: The Scholar was termed[78] ‎‏מתאבק‏‎ _Mithabek_, one that doth lie along in the dust, and this was a token of the Scholars humility, thus humbling and subjecting himself even to the feet of his Masters: This same custom it is thought,[79] Saint _Paul_ laboured to bring into the Christian Church, _1 Cor. 14._ Their Scholars were not all of equal capacity, whence they said,[80] some had _conditionem spongiæ_, others _clepsydræ_, others _sacci fæcinacei_, and others _cribri_.