God is given many names throughout the Bible by His people and even by Himself! Each of these names reveals an aspect of His character, of who He is. The amazing thing here is that we can get to know God and grow closer to Him through a study of His names.
This article covers the name Adonai and those related. If you’re interested in more names of God, here are others in this series you may enjoy.
The Names of God: Revealing God’s Personality Traits
The Names of God: יהוה, the God of Israel
The Names of God: Elohim, The Mighty One
Find the free printable PDF Names of God Chart here!
If you’re new to the Hebrew language, it may be helpful to start with my posts on the Hebrew Alphabet and the Hebrew Vowels. You’ll also find my Hebrew Language Resources page helpful.
Adonai – אֲדֹנָי
When it appears in Hebrew scripture, English Bible translators most often translate this name as “Lord”. Note that it will appear as “Lord” in lower case letters and not “LORD”. When the word “Lord” is in all caps in the Bible, it’s referring to the name יהוה.
It’s an extended form of the word Adon (אָדוֹן), which is also a name for God but can also be used to refer to men or angels. Adonai can be found in combination with Yahweh as Adonai Yahweh (אֲדֹנָי יַהְוֶה), which is another name translated as “Lord God”. It’s also used to substitute יהוה when reading from Hebrew scripture or praying out loud out of respect for God’s name.
Adoni אֲדֹנִי
Sometimes the word Adonai will be conjugated differently to mean similar but different things. When it appears as Adoni, it means “my Lord”, as David used it in Psalm 110:1. We can all use this name in prayer! Claim Him as your Lord!
Adoneinu אֲדֹנֵנוּ
Like Adoni, the meaning of this name is “our Lord” and is also translated “our Master” as in 1 Samuel 16:16. Isn’t it amazing that we can call the God of the Universe ours?!
It can also be spelled אֲדֹנֵינוּ, which is pronounced the same but used to refer not just to God but also to King David. Examples of these differing uses can be found in Ps. 8:1 and 1 Kings 1:43.
Adonei HaAdonim אֲדֹנֵי הָאֲדֹנִים
Meaning “Lord of Lords”, one place this name can be found is in Deuteronomy 10:17. This is just after the second set of tablets is brought to the Hebrew people by Moses. Verses 12-22 give an awesome description of who God is and what He requires of us. Read it today if you have a moment!
Adon Yahweh Tsevaot אָדוֹן יְהוָה צְבָאֹות
This is translated as “Lord God of hosts” or “Lord God of Armies”. It can refer to both earthly and supernatural armies.
This is the name David calls God by when he’s before the Philistine army in 1 Samuel 17:45. He announced that they were up against God and not just him and predicted their impending doom. As powerful as the armies of the world (or even the supernatural world) are, God is over even them!
Adon Kol HaAretz אֲדֹון כָּל־הָאָרֶץ
The “Lord of all the earth” or “Lord of the whole earth” is what this name means. It’s used in Psalm 97 (verse 5), which is a breathtaking description of God’s power and elevated position over all.
The name Adonai introduces us to God as our Lord and our Master. He’s the Lord of Lords and over all the earth. Isn’t it humbling that such a God knows and loves each of us individually? What an awesome God we have!
Your work is marvelously extensive and thoughtful. How often have you been confronted with the cultish assertion that “God” and “Lord” are pagan — even Satanic — substitutions for the Almighty’s Name?
I have heard a lot about this recently and I can see both sides of this argument. However, I find a bitter spirit of disunity among Believers due to this issue and others which is displeasing to God and hinders our ability to disciple others. We will always have differences in beliefs and how we practice them but I wish we could focus more on what unites us as God’s people, rather than what we disagree on.
I use terms like “God” and “Jesus” with my audience because those are what they’re most familiar with and I would like my info to be very clear to those who seek it. I tend to use more specific terms with my family and faith community, as we all have similar views. Ultimately, each individual needs to seek guidance from the Spirit on what words they use to describe God and be sensitive to any conviction where changes are needed.