Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Meaning: The term "Adonai" is a significant title for God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "Lord" in English. It is derived from the root word "adon," meaning "lord" or "master," and is used to express God's sovereignty and authority. The plural form "Adonai" is used as a respectful and reverent way to refer to God, acknowledging His supreme power and majesty. Biblical Usage: Adonai is frequently used in the Old Testament to address God, emphasizing His role as the ultimate ruler and master over all creation. It is often employed in prayer and worship, reflecting the deep reverence and submission of the speaker to God's will. The use of Adonai underscores the relationship between God and His people, highlighting His authority and their dependence on Him. Scriptural References: One of the earliest occurrences of Adonai is found in Genesis 15:2, where Abram addresses God: "But Abram replied, 'Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?'" . Here, Abram uses Adonai to express his trust and reliance on God's promises. In Exodus 4:10, Moses uses the term when expressing his reluctance to speak to Pharaoh: "But Moses replied to the LORD, 'Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.'" . This highlights Moses' acknowledgment of God's authority even as he expresses his own inadequacies. The prophet Isaiah also uses Adonai in Isaiah 6:8: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" . This passage illustrates the call of Isaiah and his willing response to the sovereign Lord. Theological Significance: Adonai conveys the concept of God's lordship and His rightful position as the ruler over all. It reflects the biblical understanding of God's relationship with humanity, where He is the master and His people are His servants. This title emphasizes the need for obedience, submission, and reverence towards God. In Jewish tradition, Adonai is often used as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) in reading the Scriptures, out of respect for the sacredness of God's personal name. This practice underscores the deep reverence associated with the name and the acknowledgment of God's holiness. Relation to Other Names of God: Adonai is one of several titles used for God in the Bible, each highlighting different aspects of His character and relationship with His people. While "Elohim" emphasizes God's power as Creator, and "YHWH" (often rendered as "LORD" in English translations) signifies His eternal and covenantal nature, Adonai focuses on His role as the sovereign ruler and master. Conclusion: The use of Adonai in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of God's authority and the proper response of His people to His lordship. It calls believers to a life of worship, obedience, and trust in the One who is the ultimate Lord over all. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ADONAIa-do'-ni, ad-o-na'-i ('adhonay): A Divine name, translated "Lord," and signifying, from its derivation, "sovereignty." Its vowels are found in the Massoretic Text with the unpronounceable tetragrammaton YHWH; and when the Hebrew reader came to these letters, he always substituted in pronunciation the word " 'adhonay." Its vowels combined with the tetragrammaton form the word "Yahweh (Yahweh)." Library As Celsus, However, is of Opinion that it Matters Nothing Whether ... Refutation of Basilides, and of the Opinion that the Prophets ... God in Christ After this He Continues: "These Herdsmen and Shepherds Concluded ... Whether the Degrees of Prophecy Change as Time Goes On? Exhortation to Repentance. Consider the Lilies of the Field Almighty. The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii. Ephesians vi. 14-17 Thesaurus Adonai (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ADONAI. a-do'-ni, ad-o-na ... GOD, NAMES OF. Multi-Version Concordance Adonai (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 2 ... /a/adonai.htm - 7k Adonai-shalom (1 Occurrence) Adonai-nissi (1 Occurrence) Adonai-jireh (1 Occurrence) Jehovah (20094 Occurrences) Lord (59401 Occurrences) Adonibezek (2 Occurrences) Ado (2 Occurrences) Testaments Resources What is the meaning of Adonai? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Adoni-Bezek? | GotQuestions.org What are the different names of God, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Adonai (1 Occurrence)1 Kings 2:26 Subtopics Related Terms |
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