Bible Dictionary
ADONAI
Adonai is a divine title meaning “Lord” or “Master,” expressing sovereignty. Jewish reading tradition used it in pronunciation when the written name YHWH appeared.
Definition
Adonai is a divine name translated “Lord.” Its derivation signifies sovereignty or mastery.
Biblical Usage
Adonai is used as a title expressing the Lord’s sovereignty. In Jewish reading tradition it was pronounced in place of the written tetragrammaton YHWH.
Historical Background
The vowels of Adonai were written with the consonants of YHWH in the Masoretic Text, producing the form associated with Yahweh.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-do'-ni, ad-o-na'-i ('adhonay): A Divine name, translated "Lord," and signifying, from its derivation, "sovereignty." Its vowels are found in the Massoretic Text with the unpronounceable tetragrammaton YHWH; and when the Hebrew reader came to these letters, he always substituted in pronunciation the word " 'adhonay." Its vowels combined with the tetragrammaton form the word "Yahweh (Yahweh)."</p><p>See GOD, NAMES OF.</p>