יְהוָה רֹעִי
Adonai Ro'i
“The Lord is my shepherd”
Adonai Ro'i (יְהוָה רֹעִי) is a Hebrew phrase meaning “the lord is my shepherd,” pronounced “a-do-NAI ro-EE.” The literal translation is “the lord [is] my shepherd.” The opening words of Psalm 23, the most beloved psalm in the Bible. Expresses complete trust in God as provider and protector.
| Hebrew | יְהוָה רֹעִי |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Adonai Ro'i |
| English Meaning | The Lord is my shepherd |
| Literal Translation | The LORD [is] my shepherd |
| Pronunciation | a-do-NAI ro-EE |
| Category | Blessings & Spiritual |
| Origin | Biblical — Psalm 23:1, attributed to King David. Scholars date the psalm to approximately the 10th century BCE. David's experience as a shepherd in the hills of Bethlehem informed this deeply personal metaphor for God's care. |
| Scripture Reference | Psalm 23:1 |
Two Hebrew words — Adonai Ro'i — open what is arguably the most comforting passage ever written. Psalm 23 has been recited at bedsides and gravesides, whispered in foxholes and hospital rooms, for three thousand years. The word ro'i means 'my shepherd,' painting a portrait of God not as a distant king but as a hands-on guardian who personally tends His flock. In ancient Israel, shepherding was hard, unglamorous work — David himself was a shepherd before he was a king. When he wrote 'Adonai Ro'i,' he wasn't crafting a metaphor from a distance; he was drawing from his own lived experience of guiding sheep through wilderness, protecting them from predators, and knowing each one by name.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 23:1
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Where Does “Adonai Ro'i” Come From?
Biblical — Psalm 23:1, attributed to King David. Scholars date the psalm to approximately the 10th century BCE. David's experience as a shepherd in the hills of Bethlehem informed this deeply personal metaphor for God's care.
When and How to Say “Adonai Ro'i”
Recited at funerals, memorial services, hospital visits, and times of personal distress. Also used in daily and Shabbat prayers in various Jewish liturgical traditions. Christians recite it in both worship and pastoral care contexts.
Cultural Context of Adonai Ro'i
Psalm 23 is recited at nearly every Jewish funeral and is one of the first passages Hebrew learners memorize. The image of God as shepherd resonates deeply in a land where sheep still graze the Judean hills. Israeli soldiers have been known to carry cards with Psalm 23 in Hebrew.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “The Lord is my shepherd” in Hebrew?
“The Lord is my shepherd” in Hebrew is Adonai Ro'i (יְהוָה רֹעִי), pronounced “a-do-NAI ro-EE.” The literal translation is “The LORD [is] my shepherd.” The opening words of Psalm 23, the most beloved psalm in the Bible. Expresses complete trust in God as provider and protector.
How do you pronounce Adonai Ro'i?
Adonai Ro'i is pronounced “a-do-NAI ro-EE.” The literal meaning is “The LORD [is] my shepherd.”
How do you say Psalm 23 in Hebrew?
The opening line is 'Adonai Ro'i lo echsar' — 'The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.' In Hebrew: יְהוָה רֹעִי לֹא אֶחְסָר. The full psalm continues: 'Bin'ot deshe yarbitzeini, al mei menuchot yenahaleini' — 'He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters.'
Why is God called a shepherd in the Bible?
Shepherding was one of the primary occupations in ancient Israel, and the metaphor of God as shepherd conveyed intimate, personal care. A shepherd knew each sheep individually, protected them from predators, led them to food and water, and carried the weak ones. This image appears throughout the Hebrew Bible — in Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34, and most famously Psalm 23.
Why do Jews read Psalm 23 at funerals?
Psalm 23's themes of God's presence through 'the valley of the shadow of death,' its assurance that the shepherd never abandons his flock, and its promise of dwelling in God's house forever make it the most fitting text for mourning. It provides comfort by affirming that death is not the end of God's care.
Sources & Further Study
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Related Hebrew Phrases
Adonai ro'i lo echsar
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
Bible Versesבָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָיBarukh Atah Adonai
Blessed are You, Lord
Blessings & SpiritualהַלְלוּיָהּHallelujah
Praise the Lord
Blessings & Spiritualשְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵלShema Yisrael
Hear, O Israel
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