The meaning of “אָדוֹן”
Understanding ʼâdôwn reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
or (shortened) אָדֹן ʼâdôn (aw-done'); from an unused root (meaning to rule) lord, master, owner. Compare also names beg...
אָדוֹן
or (shortened) אָדֹן ʼâdôn (aw-done'); from an unused root (meaning to rule) lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. - § 1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh") - sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) 1) firm, strong, lord, master 1a) lord, master 1a1) reference to men 1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs 1a1b) master 1a1c) king 1a2) reference to God 1a2a) the Lord God 1a2b) Lord of the whole earth 1b) lords, kings 1b1) reference to men 1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria 1b1b) master 1b1c) husband 1b1d) prophet 1b1e) governor 1b1f) prince 1b1g) king 1b2) reference to God 1c) my lord, my master 1c1) reference to men 1c1a) master 1c1b) husband 1c1c) prophet 1c1d) prince 1c1e) king 1c1f) father 1c1g) Moses 1c1h) priest 1c1i) theophanic angel 1c1j) captain 1c1k) general recognition of superiority 1c2) reference to God 1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God 1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 33:14 | “Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.” Word: אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn) | |
| Judges 19:11 | “And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.” Word: אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn) | |
| 2 Kings 6:23 | “And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.” Word: אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn) | |
| Psalms 110:1 | “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” Word: אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn) | |
| Hosea 12:14 | “Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him. ” Word: אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Lord
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: The LORD / Lord
When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Lord, Master
The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint.