He was a disciple of Rava and a scholarly opponent of Rav Papa.
According to the Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon, he served as head of the academy of Pumbedita.
When the people of the exilarch once questioned R. Hiyya Parwa'ah regarding a certain halakhah, he answered that Hezekiah and Bar Kappara had interpreted it, while R. Johanan had decided to the contrary, and that as the authorities thus stood two to one, the law would have to be interpreted according to the majority.
R. Ḥinena b. R. Iḳa is recorded as his opponent in halakhic decisions.
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