Bible Lexicons

Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old TestamentGirdlestone's OT Synonyms

Lord

The word usually rendered 'Lord,' or 'my Lord,' is Adonai (אדני ). this is a special form of Adon, a word which signifies Master, and which exactly answers to the Greek Κύριος. Ad on is sometimes rendered Sir in the A. V., as in Genesis 43:20; Owner, as in 1 Kings 16:24; but generally Master, as in Genesis 24:9. The plural form Adonim and its plural construct form Adonei are used in the same sense; but when the word is applied to God, the form Adonai is adopted. The termination of the word, as in the case of Shaddai; may mark an ancient plural form, but this is uncertain in the A. V., as in other versions, Adonai is frequently rendered 'my Lord.' The title indicates the truth that God is the owner of each member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the unrestricted obedience of all. It is first used of God in Genesis 15:2; Genesis 15:8; Genesis 18:3, &c. It is rare in the Pentateuch and historical Books, but frequent in the Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Amos.

The words which we read in the 110th Psalm and the first verse, if literally translated, would run thus: - 'Jehovah said unto my Master [According to the present Masoretic punctuation the word is in the singular - Adoni, not Adonai.] sit thou on my right h and until I make thine enemies thy footstool;' and our Saviour's comment might be rendered, 'If David call him Master, how is he his Son?'

The expression 'the Lord GOD,' which first occurs in Genesis 15:2, and is frequently found in the O.T., especially in the prophetical Books, is literally 'my Lord Jehovah .'

When we meet with the title 'Lord of Lords,' as in Deuteronomy 10:17, the words are literally 'master of masters,' i.e. Divine master of all those who possess or obtain authority.

In the Psalms and elsewhere there is found that significant title which the apostle Thom as gave to the Lord Jesus when he had optical and sensible demonstration that He was risen from the dead. Thus in Psalms 35:23, the sacred writer uses the double title Elohai and Adonai, 'my God and my Lord;' and in Psalms 38:15, we find Adonai Elohai, 'my Lord, my God.'

The claim up on man's service which is set forth in the title Adonai is well illustrated by Malachi 1:6, where Jehovah says, 'A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master (or masters); if, then, I be a father, where is mine honour ~ and if I be a master (Adonim