Adonai is the Hebrew name for God meaning Lord and Master. The word is what is called an emphatic plural or plural of majesty. There is only one God, but the plural is used as a Hebrew literary tool for emphasis—in this case, pointing to the sovereignty of God. Many Scripture authors used it as an expression of humble awe, as in "O Lord, Our Lord," or, "O God, my God."
Adonai-Lord and Master
I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.” Psalm 16:2.
Pronouncing The Name: a-do-NAI
This is Day 7 of a 30 Day study on The Names Of God. If you haven't read the introduction yet, please start HERE
Understanding the Name Of God-Adonai-Lord and Master:
God is Master over everything. He is a good steward of what He owns, making things work out for good.
God is your Lord and Master. When you think of that statement, I hope to try and convey to you the honor and reverence that He deserves. Yes, God is your Master but don't think of that in an attitude that it makes you a slave in a bad sense. Instead, remember that all of us were born as slaves to sin. But when we were born again, when we surrendered our lives to God, He freed us from sin and transferred us into His Kingdom. We are now His slaves, but we experience joy, peace, and happiness as His willing servants.
But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. Romans 6:22.
That is why we can rejoice, just like the Psalmist did in Psalm 16:2.
I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.” Psalm 16:2.
Sometimes I feel like a holy mess that can't even begin to measure up to God's standard of perfection.
Can you relate?
Paul in the book of Romans understands. This is what he said:
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. Romans 7:15.
I find that I continually do what I don't want to do and don't do what I want to do!
I guess that is what sin is, doing things we shouldn't do.
But guess what??
God knows us so well. He knew we would find it impossible to become holy enough to come into His presence. So He, being our wonderful Lord and Master and a good steward of what He owns, provided a way to cover our sin and imperfections with His Son, Jesus.
God, through His only Son, Jesus Christ, made a way for you and me to be holy and acceptable in His sight.
God made a way for us to be forgiven.
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9.
God made a way for each of us to be forgiven. When we place our faith in Jesus, confess our sins, and ask to be forgiven, the Bible tells us that God forgives our sins.
Not only does God forgive our sins, but He also sees us through the lens of the cross, through the shed blood of Jesus and that makes us holy!
Holy!
Can you imagine?
God sees us as holy!
We are also created to need God as our Master. There is a God-sized hole in each of us. It isn't there to make us feel weak and hopeless but to lead us to the One who can fill that need. We won't feel satisfied by looking elsewhere or to other people to fill that God-sized hole.
Adonai in Hebrew:
Adoni is a Hebrew name for God meaning, "master, ruler, owner, lord." It is the generic term for lord in Hebrew. It is first seen in scripture when Abram, longing for an heir, cries out to God.
But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. Genesis 15:2.
Abram called out to God as his Master. Abram called out to Adoni, who is sovereign and who held the answers to everything in his circumstances. We can be like Abram. We can call out to our Master for help in our seemingly impossible situations.
Applying the name of God, Adonai to your life:
How does knowing God as Adoni-Lord and Master affect your life?
I have prepared a free printable for you to use as you explore the names of God. You will find it in our Resource Library Here.
This page has prompts for you to use as you prayerfully meditate on the names of God.
So who is Adoni to you?
How does knowing God as Adoni impact your life?
How can you grow in your Christian walk by understanding God as Adoni?
All the 30 Names Of God Bible study posts are now available in a pdf (scroll down to find out more!)
Praying the Name Of God, Adonai:
When you pray the word of God, you are praying His words of truth into your situation. It is the same when you pray the names of God. When you understand the meaning of the specific name of God and pray it over your situation-it is declaring His power over it. It certainly will build your faith and expectation of God to move in it. When you pray God's name, you are declaring the truth of who God is and you are proclaiming His power at work in your life. And when you pray to Adoni, your Lord and Master, come to His throne with a renewed awe of His greatness.
Let's Pray:
Adoni, You are my Lord and Master. Help me to comprehend what that means and the impact You have in my life. Forgive me when I lack in reverence toward You. You are worthy of all my praise. Help me to understand that you desire for me to submit to you, to learn of Your ways, so that it will go well with me in this life. Help me to comprehend that You are not a harsh taskmaster but that You are my loving King. Thank you for Your sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus on the cross because there was no other way for me to come into Your Holy presence. Amen.
Are you short on time but desire to grow close to God through studying His names?
This Bible study on the names of God pdf is perfect for you!
You can download it to your phone or any digital device and read it during the day wherever you are. If you open it in Xodo, an all-in-one PDF reader and PDF annotator/editor, you can write your answers to the workbook questions and record your thoughts and prayers in the prayer journal. The app is FREE but very addicting! 💛
I would love it if you could share with me your thoughts as you work your way through this Scripture plan. You can connect with me via emailkaren@scripturalgrace.comor on our FACEBOOKpage. Come back tomorrow as we unpack the name, Yahweh Rapha-The Lord Who Heals.
It's all about His grace
xx Karen.