What is the meaning of Adonai in Hebrew?

As I have mentioned in earlier posts, the names of God found in the Old Testament represent God as he was known to his people, along with the divine aspects attributed to him. Today’s post takes a look at the name Adonai, its meaning and origin.

Adonai meaning

A close look at the name Adonai takes us back to the unspoken name of God. Jews were afraid of taking God’s name in vain, so they would not utter it. When reading Scripture aloud, they replaced YHWH with Adonai and also used Adonai (My Lord) in their prayers. (It is translated Kyrios (Lord) in the Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures). 

But why did they choose Adonai?

Why Adonai?

The name Adonai gives us an indication of the Lord’s role in life. Adonai means “Master” or “Lord,” showing God has sovereignty over us.

This name wasn’t pulled out of the air randomly. Its history can be traced back to the first century when Jewish scholars created the Masorah. Along with the text of the traditional Hebrew bible, it contains information and comments on the text. Regarding the sacred name, the Masoretes added marks below or near a consonant of the name YHWH. These marks represented the vowels of Adonai to remind the reader to say Adonai when praying rather than using the unspoken name YHWH. This practice replaced YHWH with the Hebrew word Adonai vocally in synagogue rituals.

 

Use of Adonai in prayer

In conversation, the Jews used the word Hashem which means The Name. So, Adonai was and is used in prayer and Hashem in conversation. The name Adonai is found in Jewish prayers today including the Shema, the Amidah, as well as the first three Hanukkah blessings.

Many Jews consider the Shema to be the most important prayer in Judaism. It is a reminder that there is only one God. The first line of the Shema is found in Deuteronomy 6:4. "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One" (Shema Yisrael Adonai eloheinu Adonai ehad). This line is repeated throughout prayer services and is recited in the morning blessings, in the musaf Amidah of Shabbat, and holidays. It is repeated when the Torah is taken out of the Torah Ark on Shabbat and holidays, and it is also said as a bedtime prayer, as part of the deathbed confessional, and at various other times.

As you call upon the name of the Lord remember the Shema. "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Adonai is our Lord and Master.