I really like that verse. I'm glad you shared it. The word that is translated as “rabbis” is أَحْبَارَهُمْ /a7bārahum/ and it has a larger meaning that just “rabbis”. I also interpret it as scholars or people who read and write Scriptures. It has cognates in other Semitic languages and can definitely mean any of those. I was unable to find the word in pre-Islamic Arabic Poetry but it isn't surprising that a people who couldn't read or write wouldn't talk about those who read and write in their poetry. أَحْبَار /a7bār/ Root: ح-ب-ر (7-b-r) Cognates: