Adonai
Adonai (ืึฒืึนื ึธื) means 'Lord' or 'Master,' first used by Abraham in Genesis 15:2. The Hebrew plural of majesty derives from 'adon' (lord), expressing supreme authority and sovereign ownership. When Jews encountered Yahweh in Scripture, they spoke 'Adonai' instead out of reverence. This name reveals God's absolute lordship, calling us to willing submission to the One who owns all things.
Meaning: Lord, Master, Owner
First Usage: Genesis 15:2
Key Passages
Abraham Uses It
Genesis 15:2
2nd Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Did You Know?
Adonai means "Lord" or "Master." It is the name Abraham used when he interceded for Sodom. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" The name acknowledges God's right to rule.
To call God Adonai is to surrender the right to run our own lives. He is not a consultant. He is the Lord. Every other allegiance must bow to this one.
The early church confessed "Jesus is Lord." Adonai had taken on flesh and walked among them. The name that once inspired fear now inspired love and willing submission.