He was one of R. Yochanan bar Nafcha's most prominent pupils. As a young man he even managed to study under Judah ha-Nasi,[1] and had delivered statements in his name. However, he acquired most of his Torah knowledge from his principle teacher R. Yochanan bar Nafcha.
Among the amoraim named "Abin", R. Abin is the only one who is known simply by his name. In contrast, Babylonian amoraim name Abin have another nickname or epithet attached to their name, for example R. Abin Naggara (the father of Idi b. Abin Abin Naggara and Hiyya b. Abin Naggara)[2] and Rabin (whose real name was "R. Abin", as cited in the Jerusalem Talmud).
Among his colleagues was Jeremiah (I), who was one of the elders pupils of Yochanan bar Nafcha, and said to R. Abbahu that for this reason his and Jeremiah (I), Abin I, and R. Measha's opinions should be preferred over the opinions of R. Abbahu, R. Isaac Nappaha, and R. Hanina bar Papi.[3]
