אֲדֹנָי
Adonai / Adonai
“My Lord”
Adonai (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai) is a Hebrew name meaning “my lord,” pronounced “a-do-NAI.” From the Hebrew אָדוֹן (adon) meaning 'lord, master, sovereign,' with the first-person possessive suffix -ai ('my'). The form Adonai uses a special 'plural of majesty,' elevating it beyond ordinary human lordship to exclusive divine sovereignty.
| Hebrew | אֲדֹנָי |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Adonai |
| English Name | Adonai |
| Meaning | My Lord |
| Pronunciation | a-do-NAI |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Category | Names of God |
| Variants | Adonay, HaShem, The Lord |
| Key Scripture | Isaiah 6:1 |
Adonai is the name that guards God's most sacred name. When the Hebrew Bible was read aloud in ancient Israel, every time readers encountered the four-letter name YHWH (יהוה), they would say 'Adonai' instead — out of reverence so deep that the divine name was considered too holy to pronounce. The word means 'My Lord' or 'My Master,' using a special plural form that intensifies the concept of lordship beyond any human authority. This practice is so ancient and universal that when the Masoretes added vowel marks to the Hebrew Bible, they placed the vowels of 'Adonai' onto the consonants of YHWH — a notation that was later misread by Europeans as 'Jehovah.' Adonai is thus the bridge between humanity's desire to know God and the reverent recognition that His full nature transcends our ability to name Him.
Key Scripture: Isaiah 6:1
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord (Adonai) seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.”
What Does Adonai Mean in Hebrew?
From the root א-ד-ן (aleph-dalet-nun) meaning 'lord, master, sovereign.' The base form אָדוֹן (adon) is used for human lords. The form אֲדֹנָי (Adonai) adds a specialized possessive suffix that is used exclusively for God, creating a 'possessive plural of majesty': 'my Lords' → 'my Lord (divine).' This distinguishes it from 'adoni' (my lord — human).
Adonai in the Bible
Adonai is used over 400 times in the Hebrew Bible as a divine title. It appears as a standalone name and as a reverent substitute for YHWH. When used alongside YHWH (as in 'Adonai YHWH'), it expresses both sovereignty and covenant relationship. Isaiah's vision ('I saw Adonai seated on a throne,' Isaiah 6:1) demonstrates its use for God's majestic, ruling presence.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
The practice of saying 'Adonai' instead of YHWH is the foundation of how English Bibles translate God's name. When you see 'LORD' in small capitals in most English Bibles, the underlying Hebrew is YHWH — but it was read aloud as 'Adonai.' This reverent practice has shaped 2,500 years of Jewish liturgy and all subsequent Bible translation.
Adonai is not typically used as a personal name out of reverence. In Jewish liturgy, it is the most frequently spoken divine name. Many Jews further substitute 'HaShem' (The Name) in everyday conversation to avoid using even Adonai outside of prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adonai
What does Adonai mean in Hebrew?
Adonai (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai) means “My Lord” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew אָדוֹן (adon) meaning 'lord, master, sovereign,' with the first-person possessive suffix -ai ('my'). The form Adonai uses a special 'plural of majesty,' elevating it beyond ordinary human lordship to exclusive divine sovereignty.
How do you pronounce Adonai in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Adonai is “a-do-NAI.” The name is written אֲדֹנָי in Hebrew script.
What does Adonai mean in Hebrew?
Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) means 'My Lord' in Hebrew, from 'adon' (lord/master) with a special possessive form reserved exclusively for God. It uses a 'plural of majesty' that elevates it beyond human lordship. Adonai is the title Jews speak aloud whenever the sacred name YHWH appears in Scripture, out of reverence for the divine name.
Why do Jews say Adonai instead of God's name?
Jews say Adonai instead of pronouncing YHWH (the four-letter name of God) out of deep reverence. The third commandment prohibits taking God's name 'in vain,' and the tradition of not pronouncing YHWH developed to create a protective barrier of holiness around the divine name. Many Jews go further, saying 'HaShem' (The Name) instead of Adonai in everyday conversation.
How did Adonai lead to the name Jehovah?
When medieval Masoretic scribes added vowel marks to the Hebrew Bible, they placed the vowels of 'Adonai' (a-o-a) onto the consonants of YHWH as a reminder to say 'Adonai' when reading. European scholars unfamiliar with this convention combined the YHWH consonants with the Adonai vowels, producing the hybrid form 'YaHoWaH' → 'Jehovah' — a name that never existed in Hebrew.
Sources & Further Study
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