Hebrew
אֲדֹנָי
adonai
Lord, Master
The Hebrew word for 'Lord' or 'Master' — used as a respectful address for human masters and, most importantly, as a title for God. Pious Jews say 'Adonai' aloud when reading the divine name YHWH in Scripture.
Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) is the plural form of adon ('lord' or 'master'), used as a title of honor and authority. The singular adon is used for human masters or owners (e.g., Sarah called Abraham 'my lord/adon' in Genesis 18:12). The plural form Adonai is used almost exclusively for God in the Hebrew Bible — a 'plural of majesty' indicating supreme lordship. From Jewish piety, Adonai became the spoken substitute for the unspeakable divine name YHWH. When reading aloud, pious Jews say 'Adonai' wherever they see YHWH. This convention shaped Greek (where YHWH is translated 'kyrios' = Lord) and English (where YHWH is rendered 'LORD' in all caps). Most English Bibles use this convention.
Adonai has several biblical uses. (1) Title for God. Psalm 8:1 (Hebrew Adonai Adoneinu) — 'O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!' The double use (LORD = YHWH; Lord = Adonai) emphasizes lordship. Isaiah 6:1 — Isaiah saw 'Adonai sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.' (2) Spoken substitute for YHWH. From at least the 3rd century BC, pious Jews substituted Adonai for the divine name YHWH when reading aloud. The Septuagint (Greek OT) translates YHWH as 'Kyrios' (Lord) following this practice. This carried into Christian translations. (3) Combined with other names. Adonai YHWH (often translated 'Lord GOD' in English) emphasizes God's supreme lordship as the covenant God of Israel. Adonai Tzevaot ('Lord of Hosts') emphasizes military authority. (4) Confession of faith. Calling Jesus Lord (Greek 'kyrios') was the early Christian confession. Romans 10:9 — 'if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus.' In Old Testament terms, this is calling Jesus Adonai — applying to him the title reserved for God.
“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.”
“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand.”
“Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes.”
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.”
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Confess Jesus as Lord (Adonai / Kyrios) — Romans 10:9. The confession that he is Lord is the heart of Christian salvation. Live under his lordship — every area of life, every decision, every relationship. The Bible's 'Adonai' is supreme master and gracious King. To call him Lord and not obey (Luke 6:46) is empty.
Adonai means 'Lord' or 'Master' in Hebrew. It is the plural form of adon (lord) used as a 'plural of majesty' to refer to God. Pious Jews say 'Adonai' when reading the divine name YHWH aloud. This convention is reflected in most English Bibles where YHWH is rendered 'LORD' in all caps and Adonai is rendered 'Lord.'
YHWH (the tetragrammaton, 'I AM') is the personal covenant name of God revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14-15). Adonai is the title 'Lord/Master.' Pious Jews substitute Adonai when reading YHWH aloud. In English Bibles: YHWH = 'LORD' (all caps); Adonai = 'Lord' (mixed case). Adonai YHWH = 'Lord GOD.'
The Greek 'Kyrios' (Lord) translates Adonai. When the New Testament calls Jesus 'Lord' (Kyrios), it applies the Old Testament divine title to him. Romans 10:9 — 'confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus.' Philippians 2:11 — 'every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.' This is a high Christological claim — Jesus is Adonai.
Christians can use Adonai (or its English equivalent 'Lord') in prayer and praise to address God reverently. More importantly, recognize what it means: Jesus is Lord. Confess his lordship (Romans 10:9). Live under his authority (Luke 6:46). The title 'Adonai' is not just respectful address but a claim about who God is and what relationship we have to him.