Adonai
Textsâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Adonai is a Hebrew title translated as 'Lord' that signifies sovereignty. In Jewish tradition, it is used as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) during prayer and public reading to avoid pronouncing the sacred divine name.
What is the meaning of Adonai in the Bible?
Adonai is a Hebrew title translated as 'Lord' that signifies sovereignty. In Jewish tradition, it is used as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) during prayer and public reading to avoid pronouncing the sacred divine name.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Adonai clarifies the Jewish tradition of reverence for the divine name, showing how readers historically avoided pronouncing YHWH by substituting a title of authority, which aids in interpreting the textual layers of the Hebrew Bible.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Adonai in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Adonai clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.