Theological Term of the Week

Adonai
The Hebrew word for lord or master, and one of the names used for God in scripture. This name emphasizes God’s absolute authority over all creation, including all people.

• In scripture: 

Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” (Genesis 18:30-32 ESV)

• From Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology:

2. ’ADONAI. This name is related in meaning to the preceding ones. It is derived from either dun (din) or ’adan, both of which mean to judge, to rule, and thus points to God as the almighty Ruler, to whom everything is subject, and to whom man is related as a servant. In earlier times it was the usual name by which the people of Israel addressed God. Later on it was largely supplanted by the name Jehovah (Yahweh). 

Learn more:

1. Blue Letter Bible: Adonai and a list of all the uses of Adonai in the Old Testament
2. Theopedia: Adonai
3. Andrew Jukes: Adonai
4. Gregory Brown: Names of God

Related terms:

• names of God
• tetragrammaton

Filed under God’s Nature and His Work

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Clicking on Theological Terms in the navigation bar above will take you to a list of all the previous theological terms in alphabetical order.