The Biblical Name of God: Adonai

​Every title for God carries a unique meaning. The root meaning of the Hebrew word Adonai () is “Master” or “Lord,” which is how the Chinese Bible most often translates it. Adonai’s full meaning should be understood as “Lord of All” or the “Sovereign Lord” (compare Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 3:11). Adonai can also be used as a personal address, meaning “My Lord.”

The word Adonai is used to refer to God 449 times in the Old Testament, with 315 of those times appearing alongside the name Yahweh (Jehovah). This usage illuminates the relationship between the transcendent God in heaven and humanity on earth. It signifies God’s absolute authority as Master, requiring people to obey Him, love Him, and serve Him (compare Psalm 8:1; Hosea 12:14).

In Genesis chapter 18, Abraham addresses the messenger of God as “My Lord, Adonai.” In Abraham’s time, a slave called his master Adonai, and a wife addressed her husband in the same way. At that time, both slaves and wives held little status, having been bought or redeemed at a high price; they did not belong to themselves.

The Bible uses Adonai not only to define the relationship between us and God as Master and Servant, but also as Husband and Wife (Isaiah 54:5; 62:5). The Lord views us not merely as servants, but as His cherished Spouse. Therefore, we are called to love our Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, just as a wife is to love her husband (Ephesians 5:22–32).

Biblical References

[Genesis 18:1-3] The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the1 ground and said, “My Lord (Adonai), if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.”

[Psalm 8:1] O Lord, our Lord (Adonai), how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

[Isaiah 54:4-5] “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of2 the whole earth he is called.” Here is the English translation of the article about the biblical name for God, Adonai: