Chapter One – Adonai
ADONAI (LORD, MASTER); The Lord, my Great Lord. (ad-o-noy’)
Means God is the Great Master and majestic Lord. God is our authority.
Adonai in the Septuagint (Greek): kurios – Lord, Master
Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Adonai occurs 434 times. There are heavy uses of Adonai in Isaiah (e.g., Adonai Jehovah). It occurs 200 times in Ezekiel alone and appears 11 times in Daniel Chapter 9. Adonai is first used in Gen 15:2.
Adonai is what is commonly referred to as a ‘verbal parallel’ to the names Yahweh and Jehovah. Adonai is plural; it’s singular is adon. Now think back to ELOHIM, because, like ELOHIM, In reference to God the plural Adonai is used. When the singular adon is used, it usually refers to a human lord/master; in a more modern way of lookin at it, your direct boss or supervisor would be an “adon.” Adon in the Bible is used 215 times to refer to men.
Occasionally in Scripture and predominantly in the Psalms, the singular adon is used to refer to God as well (cf. Exd 34:23). Now the ancient Hebrews, and many religious Jews even today, consider the COVENANT NAME of God, Jehovah/YAHWEH so Holy, too holy to be pronounced – so as not to contravene the commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” (Exd 20:7); they substituted Adonai for Yahweh (YHWH). Remember ‘Adonai’ can be translated literally as, “my lords’ ” (making it both plural and possessive).
Now, before we leave ADONAI, which can be thought of as more of a title than a name, remember this about ADONAI: The word itself “Adonai” is not a proper noun nor is it directly a name of God. It is an emphatic form of the word “Adon” which means “lord” or “master”. That is an declaration of someone who is above everyone else, the one who is superior, that is why its common use in the Bible is “THE LORD” in our English translations.
Now to make it personal: Our God, ADONAI, is the Lord over all. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, He reigns forever. So again, as stated above with ELOHIM – when you face impossible circumstances or adversaries, know that the one true God is stronger, bigger, greater than your circumstances; and therefore you will find safety in Him and Him alone.
(Genesis 15, Judges 6:15-16, Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 2:4, 8:1, 97:5, 136:3; Isaiah 1:24, 6:1; Romans 10:9)
One Pilgrim's Journey 