Adonai-Lord-The Name of God

THE NAME OF GOD...

ADONAI
Lord, Master, Owner
Our Strong Tower - Pr 18:10, Ps 9:10, 20:1, 7
WHAT DOES ADONAI HOW DO I
ADONAI MEAN? IN SCRIPTURE APPLY ADONAI?
Definition of Adonai Extent of Adonai's Application of "Adonai"
- Adonai is more than a name Ownership and Rule 1Co 6:19-note, 1Co 6:20-note
- Adonai speaks of relationship Dt 9:26 Jesus is Lord!
- God's total possession <> my total over Israel & Egypt Believers are not their own!
submission Ps 2:1, 2, 3, 4 (cp Titus 2:14-note)
Ge 15:2 over nations, kings and rulers of the earth Is He your Lord?
First Use in Bible ("Adonai gave" Da 1:2) Is He the One to whom you give your highest
Ps 8:1,6, 7, 8 allegiance?
over the earth, man, all creatures Is He the One Who directs your life?
Ps 37:12, 13 The Name Adonai challenges the every person
over the wicked & righteous who calls God "Lord" to be willing live in a
Click to enlarge Ps 97:5 way that demonstrates His Lordship! In other
Abram addressed God as Adonai or Master - over the mountains words, the declaration "He is Lord" must be not
the Master has the right of possession and the Ps 114:7 only with our lips but also with our life! A
one possessed is charged with submission to over the earth dangerous deception is to call Him "Lord,
God, his Master (cpGe 15:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). (cp Josh 3:11, 13) Lord" but then to refuse to submit to him in
Abram's Example Ps 135:5 loving obedience.
- Abram had victory over his enemies, over all gods Mt 7:21-note,
understanding El Elyon brought about the Malachi 1:6 Mt 7:22, 23-note
victory (Ge 14:22). In Ge 15:2 he 'A son honors his father, and a servant Jesus Frightening Warning
acknowledges God's lordship over him his master (adon). Then if I am a father, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,'
- Abram understood master-servant where is My honor? And if I am will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he
relationship a master (adon), where is My respect?' says who does(present tense = habitually = speaks of
- He knew duty of master = protect, provide the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who direction not perfection. Speaks of obedience as
for his slave despise My name (by offering defiled food at a servant would obey their "master" or adonai)
- He knew that the duty of the master = give His altarMal 1:7). But you say, 'How have we the will of My Father Who is in
directions despised Thy name?' (Note how chapter ends heaven.Many (not just a few!) will say to Me
Scripture teaches that bondslaves fared better "I am a great King..."Mal 1:14)! on that day, 'Lord, Lord (second time they
than hired servants (cp Dt 15:12-18 - see note) Even as a son honors his father and a servant appeal to His lordship!), did we not prophesy in
ADON his master, Adonaihas the right to expect Your name, and in Your name cast out demons,
ADONAI respect & obedience. The priests brought and in Your name perform many miracles?'
Adon (singular form). Meansmaster, lord. reproach upon His name by failing to (Notice He does not dispute their claims) And
Adon can refer to men (most uses) or God. acknowledge His ownership of all that exists. then I will declare to them, 'I never knew
Adonai only refers to God. In Short... you;DEPART (present imperative) FROM ME
Pious Jews refuse to pronounce the ADONAI IS OWNER OF ALL THAT , YOU WHO PRACTICE (present tense)
name Jehovah (Yahweh) when reading the OT EXISTS! LAWLESSNESS.' (cp Mt 25:41, 2Th
- when they come to the Name Jehovah, they 1:8, 9, 10)
will read it as "Adonai". And so we pray... Ps 89:50, 51
In the Septuagint (LXX) Adonai (andJehovah) Nu 14:17 Bear His reproach = persecution
are translated with the same Greek ><>><>><>
noun kurios (see word study) which signifies ADONAI Ps 141:8, 9, 10
sovereign power, supreme authority, absolute SIGNALS A Take refuge in Him = protection
ownership. In the NT, Jesus is referred to <20 CALL TO SERVICE
times as Savior(soter) and over 700 times Illustrations... Ps 119:125
as Lord(kurios)! When the two titles are Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Jeremiah Ask for understanding to know His testimonies
mentioned together, Lord always = direction
precedes Savior Exodus 4:10
Adonai (plural form composed ofAdon + "ai" Moses called Jehovah Jdg 6:14, 15, 16
= my) literally = "my Lords", usually "Adonai" God's presence = ensures victory
translated "my Lord" or "Lord" (capital "L" His hesitation to obey the call of God
followed by small letters. Contrast Jehovah eventually ended when he acknowledged God Ps 136:3
which is rendered in all caps [LORD] in NAS, as Adonai, or Lord (Ex4:10, 11-18). When Give thanks to the Lord of lords (adonai adonai)
ESV, KJV). The plural form Adonai is said to Moses admitted his position as (Dt 10:17)
be a plural of majesty like Elohim (although a slave(bondservant) and God’s position Jn 13:13, 14, 15
some say the plural form of both of these asMaster there was only one viable option--to If we call Him "Lord"...
names of God points to the truth of the Trinity obey. When Moses called God Adonai, he Let us do as Jesus did!
in the OT). acknowledged that it was not his place as the
Adon (300 uses in OT) - most often refers to slave to choose his work but to heed his Ro 6:16, 17-note
men. For ex... Master’s directive! May we follow in his Slaves of the one you obey
1) Lord of his wife (Ge 18:12) footsteps. Obey Adonai!
2) Of polite address (Ge 23:6) Joshua 5:14
3) Lord of a slave (Ge 24:12) Joshua Prepared Phil 1:21-note
4) Lord of property (Ge 42:30) for Battle To live is Christ, to die is gain
5) Lord of house (Ge 45:8) “No; rather I indeed come now as captain of Adonai is Master and a master is one who
6) Title of veneration (Nu 11:28) the host of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his helps order the life of His subject and direct
7) As a court term (1Sa 26:17) face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to what he should do.
R C Sproul - "Suffix ai intensifies the him, “What has my lord (adonai) to say to Is God your Adonai, your Master, or are you
meaning of the word (Adon), so his servant?” (see Josh 5:13, 14,15) the "master" of your life (and then you
that Adonai means the supreme Lord, Isaiah 6:1, 8 wonder why you get into such "fixes"!)?
the Lord of all. This word stresses the Isaiah's Call Adonai is a Name of God which speaks of
sovereignty of God as All-ruler" to Ministry relationship. Jehovah's Lordship means He is in
Adonai - Depicts Sovereign Master and Is 6:1 - Isaiah saw Adonai sitting on the total possession of me and I gladly give my
implies a submissive servant. Servant can throne unfettered submission to Him as my Lord and
depend on Master to be faithful in provision, Is 6:8 - Isaiah heard Adonai'svoice - he my Master.
protection, direction. (even as OT slaves - submitted and responded to His Master's voice What area of your life are you holding onto
seeDt 15:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17-see note) declaring "Here I am. Send me!" After seeing and are unwilling to relinquish to your
Elohim speaks of God's might and power Him as the exalted, majestic Adonai He was Master? Your job? Your spouse? Your
Adonai speaks of His right to rule over us. ready and willing to do His bidding! Am I? children? Your "pet" sin? Ask God to open
Lordship conveys sense of complete Jeremiah 1:5, 6 the eyes of your heart to really understand
possession of the servant by the master and When Jeremiah is called to ministry, he practically what His Lordship means for you
complete submission of the servant to the acknowledges and submits to God ("Lord personally. He will surely show you.
master. God") as Adonai = His Lord and Master The truth about Adonai is directly opposed to
In the NT the idea of believers ><>><>><> the modern self centered mindset which in
asbondservants (doulos - word study) is a deception and delusion proclaims "I am the
reflection of Jesus as Lord or Master. (cp ADONAI IS master of my own fate, the author of my
NT's frequent use of this self designation - Ro IS JESUS CHRIST destiny!" the age old lie pawned off by the devil
1:1-note, Gal 1:10, Titus 1:1-note,2Ti 2:24- in Ge 3:1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8.
note, Jas 1:1-note, Jude 1:1). Ps 110:1
Adonai always has reference to headship, and Jehovah speaks to Adonai, the Messiah = ALL WILL CONFESS
to God's purpose of blessing. (A W Pink) Jesus Christ is Lord JESUS AS ADONAI
Adonai..."signifies ownership or mastership Php 2:9, 10, 11-note
and indicates "the truth that God is the owner ADONAI One day every tongue will acknowledge the
of each member of the human family, and that HE IS LORD OVER... Lordship of Jesus Christ regardless of whether
He consequently claims the unrestricted they did so during their time on earth.
obedience of all." (Nathan Stone) Lk 14:25, 26
Three characteristics of those who know Mt 10:34, 35, 36 If you have not yet done so...
God as Adonai... Over all human relationships
(1) Acknowledge themselves as His servants, Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and
understanding Adonai is Owner of all and Mt 10:38, 39 believe in your heart that God raised Him
they are stewards who have been declared Over my life/death from the dead, (and) you shall be saved for
worthy by Him to serve and who count it a with the heart man believes, resulting in
privilege to serve. Jn 13:13, 14, 15, 16 righteousness, and with the mouth he
(2) Understand Adonai as Master can supply Jesus' example confesses, resulting in salvation.Ro 10:9, 10-
all their needs (Php 4:19-note, cp Ps 68:19), Lk 6:46 note
including supernatural empowerment enabling It is possible to mouth the name "Lord" and May we be so surrendered to Jesus that we like
them to serve God. yet fail to live accordingly. Jesus ask "Why do David cry out...
(3) Recognize that they can do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' (seekurios) and do I said to Jehovah, "You are my Adonai. I
whatever Adonai calls them to do (Php 4:13- not do what I say?" (Lk 6:46). have no good besides You." Ps 16:2
note). It is not enough to give lip service to Christ
as Adonai. Faith without works is dead faith,
whereas faith that is genuine results in
obedience (albeit imperfect in this life).
Can you call Him `Lord', and continually
refuse to do what He tells you to do and
expect that you will still go to heaven?
Lewis Sperry Chafer on the importance of a "Name" in Scripture...
Bible names of persons have a meaning, which meaning usually Ownership rarely proves to be all we expect it to be. We buy a home
conveys some impression as to the intrinsic character of the one who only to find that we desire a bigger home or another home in a
bore the name. This truth is accentuated by the fact that, when a different location. We also discover that ownership is fraught with
person acquired some new significance, the name was changed the constant demand of repair and maintenance. The roof leaks the
accordingly—Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Solomon to week before the plumbing backs up. We can be so frustrated with
Jedidiah. God Himself calls Moses and Cyrus by name. The ownership that we are tempted to say that we were much happier
disclosure of character through a name is true of Deity to an absolute when we owned nothing. I've got news for you. You can get out of
degree. God has not only inspired the pages whereon His names the business of ownership. Truth is, you're not an owner; you're
appear, but He has announced or revealed His names specifically to simply a steward. The Lord is owner of all that exists.
men and with special reference to the meaning of these names. In
the beginning Adam gave names to all things God had created, but I have a practical suggestion that will help you acknowledge this. Sit
the names of God are self-revealed. Thus the student enters at this down during your devotional time, take out a piece of paper and
point on no field of idle speculation. Far-reaching revelation is make up a deed signing everything over to God, the rightful owner.
involved, and truth concerning God which is disclosed in no other Say
way and by no other means. A large place, therefore, should be Lord, this has never been mine. Somehow I just took over what is
given to this source of truth. (Chafer, L. S.. Systematic theology. yours by creation. I am excited to acknowledge that I am a steward
Originally published: Dallas, Tex: Dallas Seminary Press. 1:261. and that you are owner of all the possessions represented on this
Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications) deed
Kenneth S Hemphill in his discussion of the implications One of my deacons in Norfolk shared with me his personal
of Adonai as owner of everything writes that... testimony of the freedom he found when he finally understood that
many of us struggle with this issue of ownership, don't we? From the the Lord was the owner of everything. A few weeks after he had
very first time we understand what mine means, we want to cling to signed everything over to the Lord, the Lord's washing machine quit
and claim ownership. Take for example two children who are working. He told me that in the past such an event would have
playing together with a toy someone has given to one of them. The created frustration and despair. In this instance, he and his wife
children did nothing to deserve the toy. They did not pay for it. Yet simply knelt down in front of the washing machine and said
as soon as one of the children attempts to play alone with the toy, Lord, Your washing machine has broken down. What do You want
what happens? The "owner" of the toy snatches it back with a to do about it?
screeching protest, "Mine!" Somehow, all of us have the mistaken After praying and consulting with a repairman, they determined the
notion that we are owners. We claim that we own a house or a piece Lord needed a new washing machine. They could then thank the
of land. We also are aware that ownership brings with it Lord that He had provided the resources for them to have a washing
frustrations. machine when so many had less. The understanding that the Lord
and Master owns everything helps us to keep life in perspective. have a hard time truly given themselves to Him as Adonai.
Folks, this really is good news. It is a joy to be a steward for the Remembering that Christ is Adonai, calling Him Adonai requires
sovereign God of the universe, who has revealed Himself to be holy that we give up our self-sufficiency and personal control and give
and righteous. We can rest in the assurance that He is trustworthy Him complete reign over our lives. Yet, it is only when we know
and able to provide for our every need. Like Abraham, we will Christ as Adonai that I experience His full sufficiency and power for
discover that He who has brought us from Ur of the Chaldeans can my life. Jesus stated this truth in Jn 8:31,32. Paul articulated the
fulfill His promises in our life. In these days of unprecedented difference knowing God as Adonai makes in Ro 6:16, 17-note, Ro
anxiety and fear, we need to discover that God is Adonai. (The 6:18-note. Commitment and unconditional submission to the will of
Names of God Ken Hemphill- Excellent, Pragmatic Study - God ought to be the norm for every one of His children. Paul was
Highly Recommended!) able to say, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Php
><>><>><> 1:21-note). Do not write off those who live in this way as the
Servant's Relationship to Master - When Americans try to fanatics, the super saints, the ones whose duty it is to live that life
illustrate the master/slave relationship, it is tempting to think in because they are called to full-time service of some sort. It is the
terms typified by the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. But because of the relationship we all have to God as Adonai! How will you bend your
abuse of black slaves portrayed in the book, the imagery does not knee – and your will – to Adonai today?
accurately illustrate God’s relationship to us as Adonai. The Matthew Henry on Ps 16:2...
relationship of slave and master in the Bible was more often one of He recognizes his solemn dedication of himself to God as his God
love and allegiance. In the Jewish relationship, a slave had more (Ps 16:2): "O my soul! thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my
privileges than the hired help. A slave could participate in the Lord, and therefore thou mayest venture to trust him." Note,
Temple sacrifices and was a member of the household. The hired 1. It is the duty and interest of every one of us to acknowledge
help was excluded from these privileges. The servant is assured that the Lord for our Lord, to subject ourselves to Him, and then to stay
his Master has the resources and ability to care for him. As a ourselves upon Him. Adonai signifies My stayer, the strength of
member of the master’s household, the master provides for all the my heart.
servant needs. The servant need not worry about his basic provision. 2. This must be done with our souls: "O my soul! thou hast said it."
The servant is assured that help and resources are available for him Covenanting with God must be heart-work; all that is within us must
to carry out his duties as a servant. The master provides what is be employed therein and engaged thereby.
needed, not only for basic needs, but also for the fulfillment of the 3. Those who have avouched the Lord for their Lord should be often
tasks assigned to the servant. The servant has the privilege of calling putting themselves in mind of what they have done. "Hast thou said
upon his relationship with the Master to get the help he needs. unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord? Say it again then, stand to it, abide
Access to the Master is guaranteed, and is only a prayer away. by it, and never unsay it. Hast thou said it? Take the comfort of it,
><>><>><> and live up to it. He is thy Lord, and worship thou him, and let thy
He is Lord - Many are ready to acknowledge God as Elohim, but eye be ever towards him."
Samson after "doing it his way" finally surrendered to his Master, Kings 18:7).
Adonai, after being imprisoned and blinded by the Philistines... However, there are numerous passages, particularly in Psalms,
Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord (adonai) where these forms, which are the only ones to apply to men, refer to
GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, God. Exodus 34:23 combines "the Lord, YHWH, the God of Israel"
O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two (hā’ādōn yhwh ’ĕlōhê yisrāēl). Deut. 10:17 uses both the singular
eyes." (Jdg 16:28) and plural in the construction "Lord of lords" (’ădōnê hāădōnîm;
David emphasizes the servant-Master aspect of Adonai in 2Sa cf. Psalm 136:3). In Psalm 8:1 [H 2] God has the title "YHWH our
7:20 (cp 2Sa 7:29)... Lord" (yhwh ădōnênû). The Messiah bears this title in Psalm
And again what more can David say to Thee? For Thou knowest 110:1. (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological
Thy servant, O Lord (Adonai) GOD! (cp "Moses Thy servant, Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody
when Thou didst bring our fathers forth from Egypt, Press or Logos or Wordsearch - Recommended Resource for
O Lord GOD." 1Ki8:53) laymen's study of Hebrew vocabulary)
Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary...
ADON and ADONAI
Adon, an early word denoting ownership, hence, absolute
SUMMARY
control...It is applied to God as the owner and governor of the whole
TWOT on Adon...
earth (Ps. 114:7). It is sometimes used as a term of respect (like our
’ādôn. Lord, Lord, Lord, master, owner. No doubt exists about
“sir”) but with a pronoun attached (“my lord”). It often occurs in the
the meaning of this word. The Ugaritic adn means "lord" or "father"
plural. Adonai is, in the emphatic form, “the Lord.” Many regard
and the Akkadian adannu carries a similar meaning, "mighty."
this title as the plural of Adon.
In the simple unsuffixed form or when pointed ădōnî, or ădōna(y),
New Unger's Bible Dictionary...
for the first common singular suffix or with other pronominal
Lord (Heb. ’Adôn), an early word denoting ownership; hence,
suffixes, ādôn usually refers to men. Sarah used it in reference to her
absolute control. It is not properly a divine title, being used of the
husband (Genesis 18:12), Lot used it in addressing the angelic
owner of slaves (Genesis 24:14, 27; Genesis 39:2, 7, rendered
visitors (Genesis 19:2). Abraham's servant repeatedly called his
“master”), of kings as the lords of their subjects (Isaiah 26:13,
master by it in Genesis 24. The pharaoh of Egypt was called by this
“master”), of a husband as lord of the wife (Ge18:12). It is applied
title (Genesis 40:1), as well as Joseph his "vizier" (Genesis 42:10).
to God as the owner and governor of the whole earth (Psalm 114:7).
Ruth used it of Boaz before they were married (Ruth 2:13). Hannah
It is sometimes used as a term of respect (like our sir) but with a
addressed Eli the priest by this term (1 Samuel 1:15). Saul's servants
pronoun attached (“my lord”). It often occurs in the plural.
called him by the title as well (1 Samuel 16:16). Likewise, officers
Adonai (Heb. ’adônay), emphatic, “the Lord”; many regard it as the
less than the king, such as Joab, had this appellation (2 Samuel
plural of no. 2. It is used chiefly in the Pentateuch—always where
11:9). In 1 Kings 16:24 there is the unique reading "Shemer, 'owner'
God is submissively and reverently addressed (Exodus
of the hill, Samaria." The prophet Elijah bore the title "lord" (1
4:10, 13; Joshua 7:8) and also when God is spoken of (1Kings
13:9; 1Kings 22:6; etc.). The Jews, out of a superstitious reverence sir 1; 335
for the name Jehovah, always pronounce Adonai where Jehovah is Adonai - 459x in 444 verses in OT NAS. Almost 300
written. The similar form, with the suffix, is also used of men, as of times Adonai is found in combination with Jehovah and is rendered
Potiphar (Genesis 39:2, “master”) and of Joseph (Genesis "Lord God" - Ge 15:2, 8; 18:27, 30, 31, 32; 19:2, 18; 20:4; Ex
42:30, 33). 4:10, 13; 5:22; 15:17; 34:9; Num 14:17; Deut
Adon - 287v in KJV - Gen 3:24; 9:26; 10:17; Josh 3:11, 13; 5:14; 7:7,8; Jdg
18:12; 19:2, 18; 23:6, 11, 15; 24:9f, 12, 14, 18, 27, 35ff, 39, 42, 44, 6:15, 22; 13:8; 16:28; 2Sa 7:18, 19, 20, 22, 28,29; 1Ki
48f, 51, 54, 56,65; 31:35; 32:4f, 18; 33:8, 13ff; 39:2f, 7f, 16, 19f; 40 2:26; 3:10, 15; 8:53; 22:6; 2Ki 7:6; 19:23; Ezra 10:3; Neh
:1, 7; 42:10, 30, 33; 43:20; 44:5, 7ff, 16, 18ff, 22, 24, 33;45:8f; 47:1 1:11; 4:14; 8:10; 10:29; Job 28:28; Ps
8, 25; Exod 21:4ff, 8, 32; 23:17; 32:22; 34:23; Num 2:4;8:1, 9; 16:2; 22:30; 35:17, 22, 23; 37:13; 38:9, 15, 22; 39:7; 40:1
11:28; 12:11; 32:25, 27; 36:2; Deut 10:17;23:15; Josh 7; 44:23; 45:11; 51:15; 54:4; 55:9; 57:9;59:11; 62:12; 66:18; 68:11,
3:11, 13; 5:14; Judg 3:25; 4:18; 6:13; 19:11f, 26f; Ruth 2:13; 1 Sam 17, 19, 20, 22, 32; 69:6; 71:5, 16; 73:20, 28; 77:2, 7; 78:65; 79:12; 8
1:15, 26; 16:16; 20:38;22:12; 24:6, 8, 10; 25:10, 14, 17, 24ff, 41; 26: 6:3, 4, 5, 8,9, 12, 15; 89:49, 50; 90:1, 17; 97:5; 109:21; 110:1, 5; 114
15ff; 29:4, 8, 10; 30:13, 15; 2 Sam :7; 130:2, 3, 6; 135:5; 140:7; 141:8; 147:5; Isa
1:10; 2:5, 7; 3:21; 4:8; 9:9ff;10:3; 11:9, 11, 13; 12:8; 13:32f; 14:9, 1 1:24;3:1, 15, 17, 18; 4:4; 6:1, 8, 11; 7:7, 14, 20; 8:7; 9:8, 17; 10:12,
2, 15, 17ff, 22; 15:15, 21; 16:3f, 9; 18:28, 31f; 19:19f, 26ff, 30, 35, 3 16, 23, 24; 11:11; 19:4; 21:6, 8, 16; 22:5, 12,14, 15; 25:8; 28:2, 16, 2
7;20:6; 24:3, 21f; 1 Kgs 2; 29:13; 30:15, 20; 37:24; 38:16; 40:10; 48:16; 49:14, 22; 50:4, 5, 7
1:2, 11, 13, 17f, 20f, 24, 27, 31, 33, 36f, 43, 47; 2:38; 3:17, 26; 11:2 , 9; 51:22; 52:4;56:8; 61:1, 11; 65:13, 15; Jer
3; 12:27; 16:24;18:7f, 10f, 13f; 20:4, 9; 22:17; 2 Kgs 1:6; 2:19, 22; 4:10; 7:20; 14:13; 32:17, 25; 44:26; 46:10; 49:5; 50:25
2:3, 5, 16, 19; 4:16, 28; 5:1, 3f, 18, 20, 22, 25; 6:5, 12, 15, 22f, 26, 3 , 31; Lam 1:14, 15; 2:1, 2, 5, 7, 18, 19, 20; 3:31, 36, 37, 58;
2;8:5, 12, 14; 9:7, 11, 31; 10:2f, 6, 9; 18:23f, 27; 19:4, 6; 1 Chr (Note concentration in Ezekiel- usually in the phrase "Lord
12:19; 21:3, 23; 2 Chr 2:14f; 13:6; 18:16; Neh 3:5; 8:10; 10:29; Job God") Ezekiel
3:19; Ps 2:4; 3:11, 27; 4:14; 5:5, 7, 8,11; 6:3, 11; 7:2, 5; 8:1; 9:8; 11:7, 8, 13,
8:1, 9; 12:4; 45:11; 97:5; 105:21; 110:1; 114:7; 123:2; 135:5; 136:3; 16, 17, 21; 12:10, 19, 23, 25, 28; 13:3, 8, 9, 13, 16, 18, 20; 14:4, 6,1
147:5;Prov 25:13; 27:18; 30:10; Isa 1, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23; 15:6, 8; 16:3, 8, 14, 19, 23, 30, 36, 43, 48,
1:24; 3:1; 10:16, 33; 19:4; 22:18; 24:2; 26:13; 36:8f, 12; 37:4, 6; 51: 59, 63; 17:3, 9, 16, 19, 22; 18:3, 9, 23,25, 29, 30, 32; 20:3, 5, 27, 30,
22; Jer 22:18; 27:4; 34:5; 37:20; 38:9; Dan 31, 33, 36, 39, 40, 44, 47, 49; 21:7, 13, 24, 26, 28; 22:3, 12, 19, 28,
1:10; 10:16f, 19; 12:8; Hos 12:14; Amos 4:1; Mic 4:13; Zeph 31; 23:22,28, 32, 34, 35, 46, 49; 24:3, 6, 9, 14, 21, 24; 25:3, 6, 8, 12,
1:9; Zech 1:9; 4:4f, 13f; 6:4f; Mal 1:6; 3:1 13, 14, 15, 16; 26:3, 5, 7, 14, 15, 19, 21; 27:3;28:2, 6, 10, 12, 22, 24
NAS renders adon as - husbands(1), Lord(4), lord(173), lord's(9), , 25; 29:3, 8, 13, 16, 19, 20; 30:2, 6, 10, 13, 22; 31:10, 15, 18; 32:3,
lords(2), master(91), master's(24), masters(5), owner(1). 8, 11, 14, 16, 31,32; 33:11, 17, 20, 25, 27; 34:2, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 20
KJV renders adon as - lord 197, master(s) 105, Lord 31, owner 1, , 30, 31; 35:3, 6, 11, 14; 36:2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 32,33, 37; 37:
3, 5, 9, 12, 19, 21; 38:3, 10, 14, 17, 18, 21; 39:1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 17, 20, first occurs in Gen. 15:2, and is frequently found in the O. T.,
25, 29; 43:18, 19, 27; 44:6,9, 12, 15, 27; 45:9, 15, 18; 46:1, 16; 47:1 especially in the prophetical Books, is literally 'my Lord Jehovah.'
3, 23; 48:29; When we meet with the title 'Lord of Lords,' as in Deut. 10:17, the
Da 1:2; 9:3, 4, 7, 9, 15, 16, 17, 19 (Note concentration in Daniel's words are literally 'master of masters,' i.e. Divine master of all those
great prayer - see Daniel 9 Commentary); Hos 12:14; Amos who possess or obtain authority.
1:8; 3:7, 8, 11, 13; 4:2, 5; 5:3, 16; 6:8; 7:1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8:1, 3, 9, 1 In the Psalms and elsewhere there is found that significant title
1; 9:1,5, 8; Obad 1:1; Mic 1:2; 4:13; Hab 3:19; Zeph 1:7; Zech which the apostle Thomas gave to the Lord Jesus when he had
4:14; 6:5; 9:4, 14; Mal 1:12, 14. optical and sensible demonstration that He was risen from the dead.
NAS renders adonai as - Lord(456), lord(1), lords(2). Thus in Ps. 35:23, the sacred writer uses the double title Elohai
Girdlestone's Synonyms of the OT... and Adonai, 'my God and my Lord;' and in Ps. 38:15, we
The word usually rendered 'Lord,' or 'my Lord,' is Adonai (‫ ֲאדֹנָי‬, findAdonai Elohai, 'my Lord, my God.'
<H136>). This is a special form of Adon, a word which signifies The claim upon man's service which is set forth in the title
Master, and which exactly answers to the Greek kurios (see word Adonai is well illustrated by Mal. 1:6, where Jehovah says,
study). Adon is sometimes rendered Sir in the A. V., as in Gen. 'A son honours his father, and a servant his master (or masters); if,
43:20KJV; Owner, as in 1Ki 16:24; but generally Master, as in Ge then, I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master
24:9. The plural form (of Adon) Adonim and its plural construct (Adonim ), where is my reverential fear?'
form Adonei are used in the same sense; but when the word is J M Boice commenting on "Jesus Christ is Lord" in Phil 2:11 asks...
applied to God, the form Adonai is adopted. The termination of the Why is the name “Lord” the name that is above every
word (-ai), as in the case of Shaddai; may mark an ancient plural name? Why not any one of the other titles? Or why not another
form, but this is uncertain. In the A. V., as in other name entirely? These questions have several answers, but the most
versions, Adonai is frequently rendered 'my Lord.' important is that the title identifies the Lord Jesus Christ with God.
The title indicates the truth that God is the owner of each The truth is easily seen in both the Greek and Hebrew usage of the
member of the human family, and that He consequently claims word. The Greek word for Lord is kurios, the word used by citizens
the unrestricted obedience of all. of the Roman empire to acknowledge the divinity of Caesar. This
It is first used of God in Gen. 15:2, 8, and 18:3, &.c. It is rare in the title was never used of the emperors until they were thought to be
Pentateuch and historical Books, but frequent in the Psalms, Isaiah, deified through a religious ceremony; therefore, it was used as a
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Amos. divine title. Within the empire there was a test phrase used to check
The words which we read in the 110th Psalm and the first verse, if the loyalty of the people. It was Kyrios Kaiser, and it meant “Caesar
literally translated, would run thus:—'Jehovah said unto my Master is Lord.” Christians who would not say these words were later
sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool;' singled out from pagans and executed. In those days when a
and our Saviour's comment might be rendered, 'If David call him Christian insisted that Jesus is Lord he meant that Jesus, not Caesar,
Master, how is he his Son?' The expression 'the Lord God,' which is divine. The same meaning is present when the word occurs in
Hebrew, only more so. The Hebrew word is Adonai. It is a title Sovereign Lord over all—both visible and invisible. Therefore, He
somewhat like our “sir,” but it assumed an extraordinary importance alone has the right to demand obedience and submission. We owe
in Hebrew speech because in practice it replaced the personal name our lives to the Sovereign Lord and Supreme Master of the universe;
of God, Jehovah. No Jew pronounced the word “Jehovah,” even consequently, we should give our lives to Him, totally subject
when reading the Bible. Instead he said, “Adonai.” (Boice, J. M.. ourselves to His control and rule (Isaiah 6:1, 8-11; Joshua 7:8-13).
Philippians : An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: ⇒ Fourth, God's power to provide. The Lord is the One who can
Baker Books) provide all things for His servant; the One who can meet all the
Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible on Adon/Adonai... needs of His dear follower, both his spiritual and physical needs
a. When the title lord or master was used to address men, at (cp. Genesis 15:2;Genesis 44:10, 11, 12). (Preacher's Outline and
least three things were meant. Sermon Bible)
⇒ It was a title of authority: the king held authority over the Ps 97:5 Lord (adon) of the whole earth
citizens; the land owner had authority over the slave (Genesis 45:8). Adam Clarke...
⇒ It was a title of submission: the citizen was subject to the king, adon col haarets, the Director, Stay, and Support of the whole earth.
and the slave was subject to the land owner (Genesis 24:9-12). The universal Governor, whose jurisdiction is not confined to any
⇒ It was a title of honor: the title showed respect and acknowledged one place; but who, having created all, governs all that he has made.
a person's position or achievement (Genesis 18:12; Genesis 32:18). Zech 4:14 Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who are
b. When the title Lord or Master was used to address God, at standing by the Lord (Adon) of the whole earth."
least four things were meant: Seiss Comments on Zechariah...
⇒ First, God's sovereign position. The Lord is the Sovereign Ruler When Jerusalem was conquered and its people carried away captive
and Supreme Master of the universe. He is the Lord who holds the to Babylon, the Most High took the name of "the God of heaven."
highest position within the universe: He is before all, above all, and (Da 2:18, 28, 37, 44, &c.) When they came back to rebuild the
over all. He (Adonay) is "God of gods, and Lord of lords" (Deut. temple, and repossess their land, and re-establish their holy state,
10:17). He is "the Lord of all the earth" (Joshua 3:11;Psalm 8:1). God was again called "the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech. 4:14.)
⇒ Second, God's supreme authority. The Lord is the Supreme But when He is styled Lord of the earth, the word is Adon, Master,
Master over the whole universe. He rules as He wills, rules and not Jehovah. It would, therefore, seem to be a theocratic title,
according to His own purposes and pleasure. The Lord does not hold having relation to a divine nationality and government upon the
authority just like all other authorities upon earth and throughout the earth. The Apocalypse: A Series of Special Lectures on the
universe. The Lord is the One Supreme Authority who rules, Revelation of Jesus Christ.
governs, and executes justice as He sees fit, rewarding the obedient Larry Richards...
and punishing the disobedient (cp.Hosea 12:14). There are several different words for "god" used in the
⇒ Third, God's right to demand submission or obedience. The psalms. Adon (13x in 12v times) and Adonai (52 times) indicate
Lord is the Supreme Master over all beings—the Creator and Master. El (69 times) and Elohim (342 times) are the Middle
Eastern culture's general words for the deity. But the name that Phillips...
occurs most often in the psalms, some 678 times in the 150 poems, He was "Our Adonim," our Lord. The word Adonim is seldom used
is Yahweh, the personal name of God whose meaning was first of man. It is the plural of Adon (which signifies the Lord as ruler in
explained to Moses (Ex. 3). That name, God's covenant name, His relationship to earth) and because it is plural it carries the
emphasizes the living presence of God with, and for, His people. It thought of that rulership to a greater degree. Adonim is especially
was as Yahweh that God released His people from slavery in Egypt. the Lord who rules His own. (The John Phillips Commentary Series
It was as Yahweh that He parted the Red Sea, provided Israel with – Exploring Psalms, Volume Two)
manna as their daily bread, and shattered the power of the Holman Bible Dictionary...
Canaanites before Joshua's armies. It was as Yahweh that God The Hebrew word adon, “lord,” is used more than 300 times in the
settled Israel in the Promised Land, gave them a Law to live by, and Old Testament for a human’s rule over another person. This is to be
promised to bless them. It is Yahweh the everpresent, ever-faithful, distinguished from baal (also “lord”) in that adon represents a
and ever-caring God that we meet in the Psalms. And it is through personal relationship of the subjection of one person to another,
the Psalms that we sense God is Yahweh for us. (Bible Reader's while baal designates the owner of things, including slaves and
Companion) women. See Baal. At times persons would address someone of equal
Adon - 13x in 12v in the Psalms - Ps 8:1, Ps 8:9, Ps 12:4 (of social status as “lord” out of respect
man), Ps 45:12 (of men), Ps 97:5, Ps 105:21 (of men), Ps 110:1, Ps Matthew Henry...
114:7, Ps 123:2 (of men), Ps 135:5, Ps 136:3 (2x) He is Lord-Adonai, the basis and foundation on which the world is
Ps 110:1 "Jehovah says to my Adon" - Here Adon refers to founded and fastened, the ruler and governor of all, that one Lord
the Messiah and Poole comments that... over all (Acts 10:36) that has all power committed to him (Mt
The Hebrew word Adon is one of God's titles, signifying His power 28:18) and is to reign over the house of Jacob for ever, Lk 1:33.
and authority or lordship over all things, and therefore is most fitly
SUMMARY ON ADONAI
given to the Messias, to whom God hath delegated all his power in
Anchor Bible Dictionary...
the world, Mt 28:18. (Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy
One of the various names of God in the Hebrew Bible. The term is
Bible)
derived from Heb ādôn (“lord”), which in the biblical text refers
Ps 114:7 Tremble, O earth, before the Lord (Adon), Before the God
both to the deity and to human rulers. Adonai is a modified form of
of Jacob,
the plural of ādôn: it bears the first-person suffix “my” and has been
Spurgeon
vocalized in a slightly different manner than “my lords,” receiving a
Let the believer feel that God is near, and he will serve
lengthened final a. Although based on a plural, it is usually
the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Awe is not cast out
translated into English as “my lord” or simply “Lord.”
by faith, but the rather it becomes deeper and more profound.
Adonai appears in the MT both as a title in its own right and as a
The Lord is most reverenced where He is most loved.
substitute for the personal name of God, Yahweh. In order to
Ps 135:5 Our Lord (Adonim) is above all gods.
preserve the sanctity of the Name, the Masoretes placed the vowel (b) the servant’s right to direction in service (Isa 6:8, 9, 10, 11).
letters of Adonai underneath the consonants of Yahweh. This Clear distinction in the use of the divine names is illustrated in Ex.
common substitution technique, called qere/kethib (“read/written”), 4:10–12. Moses feels his weakness and incompetency, and “Moses
clues readers to pronounce the Name as Adonai. In cases in which said unto the Lord [Jehovah], O my Lord [Adonai], I am not
Adonai already appears, the hybrid form is read “Elohim.” The RSV eloquent,” etc. Since service is in question, Moses (appropriately)
renders the substitution form as “LORD” (with all letters addresses Jehovah as Lord. But now power is in question, and it is
capitalized) while Adonai itself is translated “Lord” (with only the not the Lord (Adonai) but Jehovah (Lord) who answers (referring to
first letter capitalized). (Freedman, D. N. The Anchor Yale Bible creation power)—“and Jehovah said unto him, Who hath made
Dictionary. 1:74. New York: Doubleday) man’s mouth? … Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth.”
Ryrie has this note on Adonai... The same distinction appears in Josh. 7:8–11. (Scofield Reference
Like Elohim, Adonai is a plural of majesty. The singular means lord, Bible)
master, owner (Ge 19:2; 40:1; 1Sa 1:15). It is used, as might be Robert Lightner comments on Adon/Adonai...
expected, of the relationship between men (like master and When used to refer to individuals, the word (adon) speaks of an
slave, Exod. 21:1–6). When used of God’s relationship to men, it intimate and personal relationship. For instance, the word is used to
conveys the idea of His absolute authority. Joshua recognized the refer to the master of a slave and the husband of a wife, thus
authority of the Captain of the Lord’s hosts (Josh. 5:14), and Isaiah connoting theidea of authority, love, and faithfulness.
submitted to the authority of the Lord, his Master (Isa Two truths are evident from the use of the word in the master-slave
6:1, 8, 9, 10, 11). The New Testament equivalent is kurios, “lord.” relationship.
(Ryrie, C. C. Basic Theology: A Popular Systemic Guide to The Master has a right to expect obedience. In OT times, slaves
Understanding Biblical Truth. Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press) were the absolute possession of their master and had no rights of
C I Scofield on Adon/Adonai... their own. Their main objective was to fulfill the wishes of their
(1) The primary meaning of Adon, Adonai, is Master, and it is master. Slaves had a relationship and responsibilities that were
applied in the Old Testament Scriptures both to Deity and to man. different from that of hired servants. For example, hired servants
The latter instances are distinguished in the English version by the could quit if they did not like the orders of their master. In contrast,
omission of the capital. As applied to man, the word is used of two slaves had no other option but to obey their master (see Ge 24:1-12).
relationships: master and husband (Ge 24:9, 10, 12, “master,” may The call of Moses serves as another illustration. His hesitation to
illustrate the former; Ge 18:12, “lord,” the latter). Both these obey the call of God eventually ended when he acknowledged God
relationships exist between Christ and the believer (Jn 13:13, as Adonai or Lord ("Then Moses said to Jehovah, "Please, Adonai,
“master”; 2Co. 11:2, 3, “husband”). I have never been eloquent..." Ex 4:10, 11-18). When Moses
(2) Two principles inhere in the relation of master and servant: admitted his position as a slave and God’s position as the Lord—
(a) the Master’s right to implicit obedience (Jn 13:13; Mt. the Master—there was only one viable option—to obey. When
23:10; Lk 6:46); Moses called God Adonai, he acknowledged that it was not his
place as the slave to choose his work; he had to heed his Master’s “Sovereign Lord” (NIV) (Adonai Jehovah; 2Sa. 7:18, 19, 20). He is
directives... “Lord [Adonai] of all the earth” (Ps 97:5), and the earth should
When the prophet (Isaiah) heard “the voice of the Lord [Adonai]” tremble “at the presence of the Lord [Adonai]” (Ps 114:7).
(Isa 6:8), he said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah was ready and (Wiersbe, W. W. Be Worshipful. Colorado Springs, Colo.: Cook
willing to do the bidding of his Master... Communications Ministries) (Bolding added)
The slave may expect provision. Slaves usually did not worry Ps 16:2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good
about their daily affairs. This is because it was the master’s business besides You.” (Ps 16:2).
to provide food, shelter, and the other necessities of life. Since R C Sproul comments on "Lord"...
slaves were the possession of their master, their needs became the In confessing Christ as Lord, the Apostles’ Creed echoes the
responsibility of the master to fulfill. Obedience was the only primary confession of faith of the apostolic church. The first creed
condition for this provision. This truth is marvelously displayed in was the simple statement, “Jesus is Lord.” The title Lord is the
the life of Paul, who considered himself a bondslave of Christ. The most exalted title given to Jesus. In the culture contemporary with
apostle reflected a true servant’s heart when he assured the the New Testament, the title kurios (“lord”) had various usages. It
Philippians that God, their Master, would supply all their needs was sometimes merely a polite form of address, as in the greeting,
(Phil. 4:19). Only obedient slaves can expect such provisions from “Dear sir.” It also designated a slave owner or master. The apostle
their master. Paul refers to himself as a “slave” (doulos) of the “Lord” (kurios)
The master is also responsible to manage the affairs of his Jesus Christ. The slave lord purchased, owned, and governed his
slaves, for their work is the master’s bidding. So it is with God as slaves. This connotation is used in a figurative sense frequently in
our Adonai, or Lord. When we are willing to be His obedient the New Testament. The title lord was used in a more exalted sense
servants, He will give us direction in our service for Him. Consider, to refer to those of imperial power and authority. The church faced a
for example, Moses. At one point in his life he tried to serve God in crisis when it was required to recite the formula Kyros
his own strength and in his own way, and he failed miserably. Forty Kaisar ("Caesar is Lord") in giving a loyalty oath to the emperor.
years later when Moses admitted that he could not serve God in his The imperial title was filled with theological and religious
own power, the Lord saw fit to use him as the leader and liberator of connotations. Cullmann points out: “According to the ancient
His people. (Lightner, R. P. The God of the Bible and Other Gods: view, lordship over the world empire indicates lordship over the
Is the Christian God Unique among World Religions?. Grand cosmos.” Hence many Christians chose to die rather than utter the
Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications) (Bolding added) loyalty oath. This refusal to call Caesar “lord” did not come out of
Ps 44:23 Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do revolutionary civil disobedience, but from reluctance to render to
not reject us forever. Caesar that which did not properly belong to him. Absolute
Wiersbe comments that "Lord" (Adonai) authority, dominion, and power belonged to Christ, who alone
is the name that declares that He is Owner and Master of all, reigns as cosmic Lord...
including the nations of the world. It is sometimes translated The Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) used
the term kurios to translate the Hebrew word Adonai, which was a master. That is, God is not only the strong, powerful God in whom
title for God Himself. The Hebrew word Yahweh, which was the he can take refuge ("El" in Ps 16:1) but also the one who is able
ineffable “name” of God, was too sacred to be used frivolously, to—and does—order his life and direct what he should do. We
even in worship. When a public reader came to Yahweh in the have an equivalent of this in our common New Testament: way of
liturgy, the substitute word pronounced in its place was Adonai. speaking when we say that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Savior
Adonai was the title that indicated God’s absolute authority and corresponds to el, since it is as “the Strong One” that Jesus saves us.
power... Lord is the equivalent of Adonai. It means that Jesus is also Master
Psalm 8 begins in the NIV “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is of our lives. Is Jesus your Lord and Savior, your Master? If he is,
your name in all the earth!” A strict rendering from the Hebrew you should be able to say, as David does, “apart from you I have no
would be, “O Yahweh, our Adonai, how excellent. . . .” Yahweh is good thing.” (J M Boice Psalms. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker
the “name” of God; Adonai is the “title” of God. This would be Books). (Bolding added)
compared somewhat with the expression, President Woodrow R C Sproul writes that...
Wilson. “Woodrow” was Wilson’s name; “President” was his title, Yahweh focuses on God’s self-existence and the fact that only God
which indicated his role or function... has life in himself. Often in our Bibles this word is written “Lord,”
That Jesus is objectively the Lord is a common assertion of the New or occasionally “God,” with all capital letters. When we encounter
Testament. He is the imperial authority of the entire creation. His the word Lord, typeset in upper- and lower-case letters, the Hebrew
authority has cosmic proportions. But the creed confesses not only term behind it is Adon, which means “Master.” The addition of the
that he is theLord, but that he is our Lord. At the heart of the suffix ai intensifies the meaning of the word, so
Christian faith is the believer’s personal submission to the authority that Adonai means the supreme Lord, the Lord of all. This word
of God’s exalted King. The confession is, in itself, meaningless. stresses the sovereignty of God as All-ruler...When the Christian
Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we stands before Almighty God he or she stands before absolute
not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and authority over life. Adonai authority empowers faith, hope, and
perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never service for a sinful human being. (Sproul, R. Vol. 3: Before the
knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matt. 7:22, 23). To say face of God : A daily guide for living from the Old Testament).
“Lord” and mean all that it implies cannot be done apart from the (Bolding added)
Holy Spirit. (Sproul, R.. Renewing Your Mind : Basic Christian
RELATED RESOURCES
Beliefs You Need to Know. Grand Rapids: Baker Books)
ON ADONAI
(Bolding added)
Boice comments NATHAN STONE - ADONAI
Adonai can designate an earthly Lord as well as God. So when the THE NAMES OF GOD we have studied so far have been Elohim,
psalmist says, as he does, “I said to the Lord [Jehovah], ‘You are translated "God" in our Bibles; Jehovah, translated "LORD"; and
my Lord [Adonai],’ ” he is saying that the God of Israel is his "El-Shaddai," translated "God Almighty" or "Almighty God." These
names have related rather to the Person of God--the power and glory form Adoni: "Jehovah said unto my Adoni," that is to Christ, the
of His Being, as in Elohim; the expression of Himself as a God of second Person of the Trinity!
righteousness, holiness, love and redemption, as in Jehovah; and as a
beneficent and bountiful Bestower of powers, gifts, blessings, and The name Adonai, while translated "Lord," signifies ownership or
fruitfulness for service, as seen in El-Shaddai. While these names do mastership and indicates "the truth that God is the owner of each
imply or demand a responsibility on the part of man to conform to member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the
the Being in whose image he is made, the name under consideration unrestricted obedience of all." The expression, "Lord of lords,"
in this chapter makes a definite claim upon man's obedience and in Deuteronomy 10:17, could be rendered "Master of masters." An
service. illustration of this name as a claim upon man's obedience and
service is found in Malachi 1:6: "A son honors his father, and a
The name Adonai is translated in our Bibles by the word Lord in servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honor? And if
small letters, only the first of which is a capital. Used as a name of I be a master, where is my fear? Saith Jehovah of hosts" And in Job
God, Adonai occurs probably some 300 times in the Old Testament. 28:28 it is declared that the fear of Adonai (the Lord, the Master) is
It is significant that it is almost always in the plural and possessive, wisdom.
meaning my Lords'. It confirms the idea of a trinity as found also in
the name Elohim. This is still further confirmed by the fact that the USE OF ADONAI
same word is used of men some 215 times and translated variously IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
"master," "sir," and "lord," but for the most part, "master," as The use of this name Adonai in the Old Testament plainly reveals
throughout Genesis 24, where Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, the relationship which God sustains toward His creatures and what
speaks of "my master Abraham," and over and over again says, He expects of them. A glance at a good concordance will give all the
"Blessed be Jehovah God of my master Abraham." It is important to instances in which the name occurs. Let us examine a few of them.
notice, too, that the same word Adonai is translated a number of
times by the word "owner." But, used of men, it is always in The first occasion of its use, as with the name EL Shaddai - God
thesingular form, adon. Only of God is it in the plural. The Almighty, is with Abraham in Ge 15:2. In the first verse of this
suggestion of the Trinity in this name is still more strikingly chapter it is written: "After these things"--i.e, after his rescue of Lot
confirmed by its use in Psalm 110, in these words: and his military achievement of the defeat of the four kings and their
"The Lord said unto my Lord," or "Jehovah said unto my Adoni, armies, where it is revealed that Abraham himself was lord or master
Sit thou on, my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." (adon) of a large establishment--
The Lord Jesus in Matthew 22:41-45 (as also Peter, Acts 2:34, 35; "After these things the word of Jehovah came unto Abram in a
and Heb 1:13; 10:12, 13) refers this striking passage to Himself. vision, saying, 'Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding
How significant then that David, speaking of but one member of the great reward.'"
Trinity, should use here not the plural Adonai, but the singular Abram then makes his reply addressing God as Adonai-Jehovah--
an acknowledgment that Jehovah is also Master. Certainly Abram shield and thy exceeding great reward." He can depend upon the
understood what this relationship meant; perhaps better than we faithfulness of the Master. For if a human master can sustain
nowadays understand it, for those were days of slavery. Lordship relationships even of affection to a slave and be faithful in provision
meant complete possession on the one hand, andcomplete and protection, how much more the Jehovah-God who is Adonai
submission on the other. As already seen, Abraham himself also to His creatures.
sustained the relationship of master and lord over a very
considerable number of souls; therefore in addressing Jehovah as There are many examples of the use of this name which well
Adonai he acknowledged God's complete possession of and perfect illustrate this truth:
right to all that he was and had. MOSES
MEANING OF Moses, when commissioned to go to Egypt to deliver Israel,
MASTER-SERVANT addresses God as Adonai, acknowledging thus God's right to his life
RELATIONSHIP and service when he replies: "O my Lord" (that is, Adonai), "I am
But even Abraham, thousands of years ago, understood by this more not eloquent... I am slow of speech" (Ex 4:10). And again he says
than mere ownership, more than the expression and imposition of after God's reply, "O my Lord [Adonai] send someone else." Then
an arbitrary or capricious will. Even in those days the relationship of God's anger kindled against him, against a servant who seeks to
master and slave was not altogether or necessarily an unmitigated evade his responsibility of carrying out the will of his rightful Lord.
evil. The purchased slave stood in a much nearer relationship to his For God, who is never a capricious or unjust Master, does not ask
lord than the hired servant. who was free to come and go as he might what cannot he performed, and never requires a task for which He
wish: In Israel, the hired servant who was a stranger might not eat of does not equip His servants. Thus He assures Moses that He will be
the Passover or the holy things of the master's house, but the his sufficiency for the task (Exodus 4:10).
purchased slave, as belonging to his master, and so a member of the JOSHUA
family, possessed this privilege (Ex 12:43, 44, 45; Lev As the eye of a servant looks to the master, so Joshua, in defeat and
22:10, 11). The slave had the right of the master's protection and distress, looks for direction to the Lord God who is his Adonai.
help and direction. When Gideon is called to deliver the children of Israel from the
Nor was the relationship devoid of affection. In the absence of seed, Midianites, he asks: "O my Lord [Adonai], wherewith shall I save
a slave, Eliezer, is the heir to Abram's entire household. So the Israel? Behold my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in
psalmist well puts it all when he says: "Behold, as the eyes of my father's house" (Jdg 6:15-note). Then God gives answer: "Surely
servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a I will be with thee, and thou shaft smite the Midianites as one man."
maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the DAVID
Lord our God" (Ps 123:2). "The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou The name Adonai is found frequently on the lips of David, and in
gives them their meat in due season" (Psalm 145:15). As Adonai, or one especially significant passage in this connection (2Sa
Master or Lord, God says to Abraham: "Fear not, Abram; I am thy 7:18, 19, 20), it appears four times in three verses. To David, of
humble origin, a shepherd lad, and now king of Israel, God comes he tells us, "in the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord"-
and promises to establish his dynasty, his throne, forever. Overcome Adonai (Isa 6:1-note). His earthly lord and master had died, but
by this great promise, for he recognizes in it also the promise of what does that matter when the Lord of lords, the Adonai in the
Messiah who shall come from his loins, David, king and lord of heavens, lives and reigns. This Adonai is seated upon a throne too,
God's people, calls God his Lord, coupling it with the name but high and lifted up, above all earthly lords and monarchs, for this
Jehovah, He acknowledges his humble origin, his own Adonai is also Jehovah of hosts, whose train fills the Temple and
unworthiness, and the goodness and greatness of God the Adonai whose glory covers the whole earth. This Adonai is surrounded by
who has exalted him, and he says: the fiery seraphim, who not only cover their eyes before their thrice
"Who am I, O Adonai Jehovah? And what is my house, that thou holy Lord, but with their wings are ready instantly to do His
hast brought me hitherto? . . And what can David say more unto bidding. Then after the prophet's confession and cleansing in
thee? For thou, Adonai Jehovah, knows thy servant." preparation for his service, he hears a voice saying: "Whom shall I
PSALMISTS send and who will go for us?" This call for service comes from
The psalmists, too, make frequent use of the name in its proper Adonai, for this is the name used in verse 8.
significance. It is Jehovah, Adonai, whose name is so excellent in all
the earth, who has put all things under His feet (Psalm 8:1). He is So prophet after prophet is called and commissioned for service by
the Adonai of the whole earth (Psalm 97:5). The earth is bidden to Adonai, the Lord who claims obedience and service. The shrinking
tremble at the presence of the Adonai. its Lord (Psalm Jeremiah, ordained from before his birth to be a prophet, answers the
114:7). Adonai is above all elohim or gods (Ps135:5). As Master or call to service by saying, somewhat like Moses: "Ah, Adonai
Lord, Adonai is besought to remember the reproach of His servant Jehovah! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child" (Jer 1:6). As with
(Ps89:50). "My eyes are unto thee, O God, the Adonai" (Ps 141:8) Moses, the Lord of life and service enables His servants to carry out
says the psalmist as of a servant to his Lord. And he asks Adonai, His commands when they yield themselves to Him and obey. He
his Master, to take up his cause and defend him against his enemies touches the lips of Jeremiah, as of Isaiah, and promises His presence
(Ps109:21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28). and protection.
ISAIAH EZEKIEL
The use of this name by Isaiah the prophet is especially significant. In the prophecy of Ezekiel the name Adonai Jehovah occurs some
It is the vision of God as Adonai which started him out on his 200 times. It has added significance here in that the name occurs in
prophetical career. One of the most stirring portions of Scripture connection with prophecies not only concerning Israel but
describes this vision. It was a time of national darkness, for Uzziah, concerning the nations round about. It reveals that Adonai claims
Judah's great king, had died. Uzziah was the prophet's king, lordship not only over Israel but, whether they will or not, over all
therefore his lord and master, and perhaps his hero too, in spite of the peoples of the earth. It is, "Thus saith Jehovah who is Adonai,"
his tragic end. It is then that the young man experiences one of the and again and again, "Ye shall know," and "They shall know that I
most solemn and significant visions of Scripture. In the sixth chapter am Adonai Jehovah" (Ezekiel 13:9; 23:49; 24:24; 28:24; 29:16). It is
Adonai Jehovah who commands the four winds to breathe upon the His right to command and dispose of them according to His will as
dry bones and make them live (Ezekiel 37:9). the Lord of their lives, it is this which is suggested by the name Lord
DANIEL or Adonai.
The use of this name is especially notable in Daniel 9 where it ADONAI IN
occurs 11 times in 9 verses (Da 9:3, 4, 7, 8, 9,15,16, 17, 19). Daniel THE NEW TESTAMENT
is living in the land of Israel's captivity, whose king is lord or adon The meaning of Adonai as Lord and Master is carried over into the
over many nations; but only Jehovah is the Adonai of Daniel and his New Testament. Between two and three centuries before Christ the
people. This is a chapter of confession of Israel's faithlessness as Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek by a group of Jewish
God's servant, hence Daniel addresses God as Adonai in his translators at Alexandria in Egypt. It is interesting to note that they
prayer for forgiveness and restoration of the people and translated the word Adonai in Genesis 15:2 as "Master." In the
Jerusalem. "O Adonai," he cries, "the great and dreadful God, Greek it is "Despot."
keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them
that keep his commandments; we have sinned, and have committed In the New Testament, too, it is the word used of men as lord and
iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by master in relationship to servants. It is used hundreds of times of the
departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments" (Da 9:4, 5). Lord Jesus Himself.
Since it is God as Lord and Master whose will they have disobeyed,
it is He to whom they must address their prayer for forgiveness, for We are said to be not our own; we have been bought with a price.
acceptance, for restoration. Thus it is in Da 9:19, We belong to God who is our Lord and Master. We are therefore
"O Adonai, hear; O Adonai, forgive; O Adonai, hearken and do: bidden to glorify God in body and spirit, which are His (I
defer not, for thine own sake, O my God" (See related Corinthians 6:19, 20). Many Scriptures set forth this relationship to
resource: Daniel 9 Commentary notes onsite) God as His servants. We are exhorted to present our bodies as a
SERVANTS OF living sacrifice to God, holy, and acceptable, and this as our
ADONAI reasonable service (Romans 12:1). We are to understand what is the
So throughout the OT those who know God as Adonai acknowledge will of the Lord--our Adonai (Ephesians 5:17). And Peter calls us
themselves as servants: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are thus spoken children of obedience to Him who has called us (I Peter 1:14, 15);
of (Ex 32:13). Over and over again we read, "Moses, my servant," and He is the Master who has bought us (II Peter 2:1).
and "Moses, the servant of the Lord." In the same significant
passage in which he addresses God as Adonai, a number of times A striking illustration of this is found in the life of the apostle Paul.
David the king speaks of himself as "thy servant." "I am thy servant; He felt himself to be a zealous servant of the Lord God of his fathers
give me understanding," says the psalmist (Ps 119:125). The word even in his first opposition to and persecution of the Church,
translated servant is also slave. Thus prophets, priests, kings, all believing he was doing God great service. The first words that fall
God's people acknowledged themselves His servants, recognizing from his lips on his conversion are: "Lord [Master], what wilt thou
have me to do?" (Acts 9:6). Like a good servant, lie tells its that Lord for such work is never in vain (1Co 15:58).
when it pleased God to reveal His Son in him that he might preach
Him among the nations, "immediately he conferred not with flesh God's requirements of service and usefulness are clearly set forth in
and blood," but he went away in complete surrender to he alone with the parables of the Lord Jesus, especially in the parable of the talents
his Lord to prepare himself as quickly as possible to do His will (Gal (Matthew 25:14-30), and the parable of the pounds (Lk 19:11-27).
1:16, 17). He seems to take even a little pride in emphasizing the As Lord, He rewards the faithfulness of His servants and punishes
Lordship of Jesus Christ by calling himself His bondservant or their lack of it. The reward is far more than commensurate with the
slave. As such he bore in his body the marks of his Lord Jesus (Gal service rendered. In the parables, the reward is represented in terms
6:17). "Christ Jesus, my Lord [my Master, my Adonai], counted me of the material, but the real reward is in the realm of the spiritual, of
faithful, appointing me to his service" (1Ti 1:12). "1 count not my which the material is only a feeble analogy. Even so, the greatness
life dear to myself so that 1 may accomplish my course, and the of our reward for faithfulness as servants lies in our increasing
ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:24). apprehension and possession of our Lord Himself. Adonai said to
Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's (the Master's Abram, "I am thy exceeding great reward." Frequently in the Old
Testament the Lord is said to be the inheritance, the portion and
As in the Old Testament, so in the New, God as Lord is represented possession of His people (Nu 18:20; Ps 73:26; 16:5;Ezek.
as the One who bestows gifts upon and equips His servants for their 44:27, 28). So Christ our Lord gave Himself for us and to us. If we
service. He made some apostles, others prophets, evangelists, are His, He n ours, and He is ours in proportion as we are His.
pastors, teachers--all for the accomplishment of His purpose and will
in the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the Apart from this, however, there is a day of reckoning for His
edifying of the Body of Christ (Ep 4:11, 12). Having these gifts servants. In the Old Testament, Adonai renders to every man
from our Lord, Paul exhorts us, let us wait on them and minister according to his work (Ps62:12). Every servant's work is to be made
them, as faithful servants, with diligence (Ro 12:6, 7, 8). God, as manifest. The test of fire will prove its worth. If it stands the test,: it
Lord, is said to protect, to provide for and sustain His servants. In will receive a reward, If not, it will be lost (1Corinthians
the Old Testament, Adonai says to Abram, "I am thy shield." He is a 3:13, 14, 15). "To whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be
rock, a fortress, a deliverer. Luke says of Paul, in great danger: "The required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the
Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer" (Acts 23:11). Again: more" (Luke 12:48, ASV) 'It is required in stewards, that a man be
"The Lord stood with me and strengthened me" (2Ti 4:17). The Lord found faithful" (1Co 4:2ASV).
delivers His servants from every evil (2Ti 4:18). The grace of the
Lord is continually with His servants. It is the Lord who says to But since God is Lord of all men whether they acknowledge Him or
Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee" (2Co 12:9). The Lord directs not, there is a day of reckoning: for all men apart from His servants.
the service of His servants, opening doors (2Co 2:12), and closing Jeremiah calls it the day of Adonai, Jehovah of hosts (46:10). It is
them, too (Acts 16:6). We are exhorted to abound in the work of the day of vengeance, for Adonai the Lord will demand a reckoning
from all His creatures. But, thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ servants whom the Lord when He comes will find faithful and
will be deliverance and sure in that day for all who have believed on watching (Lk 12:36, 37).
and served Him.
To be servant of the Lord is the greatest liberty and joy of all.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ, however, who, though He is our Lord and Man needs lordship.
Master, is the supreme example of the true and faithful servant. He With faculties and judgments impaired, distorted by sin, original and
is the ideal servant. It is in Him we realize the full import and personal, he needs direction, guidance, authority in this world. Man
blessedness of the relationship that exists between ourselves and is born to worship and serve. If he does not serve God, then directly
God as servant to a Lord. He is revealed in the Old Testament as the or indirectly he serves the Devil, the usurper of authority. But no
Servant. "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom man, as our Lord said, can serve two masters-that is, God and the
my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him" (Isaiah 42:1). Devil-at the same time. "Know ye not," says Paul, "that to Whom ye
"He shall not fail" (v. 4). "I the Lord ... will hold thine hand, and will yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye
keep thee (v. 6). So the New Testament tells us He took the form of obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
a servant--the same word Paul uses of himself, a bondservant, a righteousness?" (Ro 6:16). To be subject to Satan is to be abject. His
slave. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death lordship makes service servile. He has made service degraded and a
(Philippians 2:7, 8). "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is badge of inferiority. Christ, our Lord, Himself the ideal servant, has
written of me,) to do thy will, O God" (Hebrews 10:7). This is in invested service with dignity, nobility, liberty, joy. "For he that is
fulfillment ofPsalm 40:6-8 where He is spoken of as the slave whose called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman" (1Co
ear is bored, because he loves his master and elects to serve him 7:22). To be the servant of God is eternal life (Ro 6:22). And the
forever (Exodus 21:6). He said of Himself, "I do always those things faithful servant of the Lord will one day hear those joyful words
that please him" (John 8:29). "Even Christ pleased not himself," from the lips of the Lord: "Well done, good and faithful servant . . .
says Paul (Ro 15:3). "The Son of man came not to be ministered enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Names Of God Nathan Stone
unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mt Books. 1944 Moody Publishers)
20:28). "I am among you as he that serveth" (Lk 22:27). As a
servant He also suffered, being made perfect through sufferings
(Heb 2:10).
In that wonderful thirteenth chapter of John, He sets Himself forth as
our Example as a servant. "Ye call meMaster and Lord: and ye say
well, for so I am" (Jn 13:13). "I have given you an example, that ye
should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
The servant is not greater than his lord (Jn 13:15, 16). He exhorted
to faithful service to the end, and spoke of the blessedness of those