Original Word: אָדוֹן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: adon
Pronunciation: ah-DOHN
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-done')
Definition: Lord, master, owner
Meaning: sovereign, controller

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to rule

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G2962 (κύριος, kurios) – often used in the New Testament to denote "Lord" or "master," similar to "adon" in the Old Testament.

Usage: The Hebrew word "adon" primarily denotes a person of authority and power, often translated as "lord" or "master" in English. It is used to refer to human lords or masters, as well as to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and authority. The term conveys respect, submission, and acknowledgment of the authority of the one being addressed.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of lordship was integral to societal structure. A "lord" or "master" was someone who had authority over others, whether in a household, a community, or a nation. This hierarchical structure was mirrored in the relationship between God and His people, where God is recognized as the ultimate "Adon," the supreme ruler and master over all creation. The use of "adon" in reference to God underscores His role as the sovereign ruler deserving of worship and obedience.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
lord
NASB Translation
husbands (1), Lord (5), lord (172), lord's (9), lords (2), master (91), master's (24), masters (5), owner (1).

אָדוֺן noun masculine^{Malachi 3:1} lord (Phoenician אדן) — ׳א Psalm 12:5 #NAME?אֲדוֺן Joshua 3:11 +; plural אֲדֹנִים Isaiah 26:13 +; construct אֲדֹנֵי Deuteronomy 10:17 +; suffix אֲדֹנֵינוּ 1 Samuel 25:14 + etc.; (אֲדֹנִי, אֲדֹנַי, אֲדֹנָי are variations of Masoretic pointing to distinguish divine reference from human. Plural, with few except an intensive plural of rank; word takes suffix as plural in all other person; so doubtless here. Orig. reading probably in all cases אֲדֹנַי (see Dalm^{Der Gottesname Adonaj}; Lag^{BN 188 makes} אֲדֹנָי an Aramaic formative); אֲדֹנִי now found in J 51 t.; in E Genesis 31:35; Genesis 32:19; Genesis 42:10; Exodus 21:5; in P Genesis 23:6,11,15; Numbers 36:2 (twice in verse); often Samuel & Kings; in Chronicles only in sources, 1 Chronicles 21:3 (3 t. in verse); 1 Chronicles 21:23 (= 2 Samuel 24:3,22) 2Chron 2:13; 2 Chronicles 2:14; Isaiah & Jeremiah only in historical parts Isaiah 36:8,9,12; Jeremiah 37:20; Jeremiah 38:9; elsewhere Daniel 1:10; Daniel 10:16,17,19; Daniel 12:8; Zechariah 1:9; Zechariah 4:4,5,13; Zechariah 6:4; Psalm 110:1; Judges 4:18; Judges 6:13; Ruth 2:13; בִּי אֲדנָי Exodus 4:10,13; Joshua 7:8 (J) Judges 6:15; Judges 13:8 is referred to God, but בִּי אֲדנִי Genesis 43:20; Genesis 44:18; Numbers 12:11 (J) 1 Samuel 1:26; 1 Samuel 25:24; 1 Kings 3:17,26 reference to human superiors. There is uncertainty as to אֲדֹנָ֯י Genesis 18:3; Genesis 19:18; אֲדֹ֯נַי Genesis 19:2) —

1 singular lord, master (1) reference to men: (a) superintendent of household, or of affairs Genesis 45:8,9 (E) = Psalm 105:21; (b) master Psalm 12:5; (c) king Jeremiah 22:18; Jeremiah 34:5; (2) reference to God, הָאָדוֺן יהוה the Lord Yahweh (see יהוה) Exodus 23:17; Exodus 34:23 (Cov't codes); אֲרוֺן כָּלהָֿאָרֶץ Lord of the whole earth Joshua 3:11,13 (J) Psalm 97:5; Zechariah 4:14; Zechariah 6:5; Micah 4:13; צֻבָאוֺת ׳י ׳הָא, earlier Isaiah 1:24; Isaiah 3:1; Isaiah 10:33; Isaiah 19:4 (אֲדֹנָי Isaiah 10:16 in common MT; not Massora, doubtless scribal error); ׳הָא Malachi 3:1; אָדוֺן Psalm 114:7.

2 plural lords, kings Deuteronomy 10:17 = Psalm 136:3; Isaiah 26:13; elsewhere intensive plural of rank, lord, master, (1) reference to men: (a) proprietor of hill Samaria 1 Kings 16:24; (b) master Genesis 40:7 (E) Exodus 21:4 (twice in verse); Exodus 21:6,8,32 (Cov't code) Genesis 24:9 + (J, 11 t.) Deuteronomy 23:16; Judges 19:11,12 13t. Samuel & Kings; Job 3:19; Psalm 123:2; Proverbs 25:13; Proverbs 27:18; Proverbs 30:10; Isaiah 24:2; Amos 4:1; Zephaniah 1:9; Malachi 1:6 (twice in verse); (c) husband Judges 19:26,27; Psalm 45:12; (d) prophet 2 Kings 2:3,5,16; (e) governor Nehemiah 3:5; (f) prince Genesis 42:10,30,33 (E) Genesis 44:8 (J) 1 Samuel 29:10; (g) king Genesis 40:1 (E) Judges 3:25 40t. Samuel & Kings; Chronicles only in sources 1 Chronicles 12:19 compare 1 Samuel 29:4; 2Chronicles 13:6; 18:16 = 1 Kings 22:17; Isaiah 19:4; Isaiah 22:18; Isaiah 36:12; Isaiah 37:4,6; Jeremiah 27:4; (2) reference to God Malachi 1:6; אֲדֹנֵי הָאֲדֹנִים Lord of lords Deuteronomy 10:17 = Psalm 136:3; אֲדֹנֵינוּ Psalm 135:5; Psalm 147:5; Nehemiah 8:10; אֲדֹנֵינוּ ׳י Psalm 8:2; Psalm 8:10; Nehemiah 10:30; ׳אֲדֹנַיִח י Isaiah 51:22 (probably = thy husband, Yahweh); אֲדֹנָיו Hosea 12:15 (possibly error for אֲדֹנָי).

3 suffix 1 singular (אֲדֹנַי) אֲדֹנִי (1) reference to men: my lord, my master, (a) master Exodus 21:5 (Cov't code) Genesis 24:12 +, Genesis 44:5 (J, 20 t.) 1 Samuel 30:13,15; 2 Kings 5:3,20,22; 2 Kings 6:15; (b) husband Genesis 18:12 (J); (c) prophet 1 Kings 18:7,13; 2 Kings 2:19; 2 Kings 4:16,28; 2 Kings 6:5; 2 Kings 8:5; (d) prince Genesis 42:10 (E), Genesis 23:6,11,15 (P), Genesis 43:20; Genesis 44:18 +, Genesis 47:18, + (J, 12 t.); Judges 4:18; (e) king 1 Samuel 22:12 + (Samuel & Kings 75 t.); (f) father Genesis 31:35 (E); (g) Moses Exodus 32:22; Numbers 11:28; Numbers 12:11; Numbers 32:26,27 (J); Numbers 36:2 (twice in verse) (P); (h) priest 1 Samuel 1:15,26 (twice in verse); (i) theophanic angel Joshua 5:14; Judges 6:13; (j) captain 2 Samuel 11:11; (k) General recognition of superiority Genesis 24:18; Genesis 32:5 + Genesis 33:8 +; Genesis 44:7 + (J, 13 t.), Ruth 2:13; 1 Samuel 25:24 + (15 t.); (2) reference to God: אֲדֹנָי

a. my Lord Genesis 20:4 (? E) Exodus 15:17 (Samaritan יהוה) elsewhere in Hexateuch, J; Genesis 18:3(?); Genesis 18:27,30,31,32; Genesis 19:2,18(?) Exodus 4:10; Exodus 4:13; Exodus 5:22; Exodus 34:9; Numbers 14:17; Joshua 7:8; also Judges 6:15; Judges 13:8; not Samuel; 1 Kings 22:6; 2 Kings 19:23; not Chron. except memorials Ezra 10:3 (reference to Ezra) Nehemiah 1:11; Nehemiah 4:8; Wisdom Literature only Job 28:28 (doubtless scribal error for יהוֺה of many MSS.); not Hosea; Isaiah 37:24; Isaiah 38:14,16 (historical part); exile Isaiah 49:14 (compare Isaiah 51:22); Micah 1:2; Psalm 16:2 + (47 t., chiefly this sense, except below b.; compare אֱלֹהַי וַאדֹנָי my Lord and my God Psalm 35:23; (writers that use אֱלֹהִים seldom use אֲדֹנָי);

b. Adonay proper name of God, parallel with Yahweh, substitution for it often by scribal error, & eventually supplanting it. In earlier Isaiah 3:17 + (19 t. seeming to belong here), Amos 7:7,8; Amos 9:1; Ezekiel 18:25,29; Ezekiel 33:17,20; Ezekiel 21:14 (probably ׳אֲדֹנָי י as in usual phrase); Zechariah 9:4; Malachi 1:12,14; Lamentations 1:14 + (14 t.) Psalm 2:4; Psalm 37:13; Psalm 78:65; Psalm 90:17 (? יהוה) Psalm 110:5 (Dalman puts most of these below (a); — many cases are doubtful); 1 Kings 3:10,15 (Masoretic אדני for יהוה compare Dalm 2 Kings 7:6; Dalm rightly questions; he reads יהוה). The phrases אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהַי Psalm 38:16; Psalm 86:12, Adonay my God; אֲדֹנָי הָאֱלֹהִים Daniel 9:3, אֱלֹהֵינוּ ׳א Daniel 9:9,15, הָאֵל ׳א Daniel 9:4 favour taking ׳א Daniel 1:2; Daniel 9:7,8 (יהוה ?) Daniel 9:16; Daniel 9:17; Daniel 9:19; Daniel 9:19; Daniel 9:19 as the divine name.

4 אֲדֹנָי יהוה (a) my Lord Yahweh (see יהוה) Genesis 15:2,8 (JE) Joshua 7:7 (J, ᵐ5 omit ׳י) Deuteronomy 3:24; Deuteronomy 9:26; Judges 6:22; Judges 16:28; 2 Samuel 7:1 (6 t.) 1 Kings 2:26; 1 Kings 8:53; probably Amos 3:7,8; Amos 7:2,4,5; Amos 9:8; Jeremiah 1:6; Jeremiah 4:10; Jeremiah 14:13; Jeremiah 32:17,25; Ezekiel 4:14; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 9:6; Ezekiel 11:13; Ezekiel 20:49; Ezekiel 37:3 (׳יָדַע כִּי אֲני א ׳י) Ezekiel 13:9; Ezekiel 23:49; Ezekiel 24:24; Ezekiel 28:24; Ezekiel 29:16 inappropriate in mouth of God; strike out אֲדֹנָי (Co) or read אֱלֹהֵיכֶם ׳י (Dalm); Micah 1:2; Zephaniah 1:7; Obadiah 1; Zechariah 9:14; Psalm 71:5; Psalm 71:16; Psalm 73:28; (b) apparently proper name Adonay Yahweh Isaiah 25:8; Jeremiah 44:26; exile Isaiah 40:10 + (10 t., but Isaiah 61:1,11 read יהוה, ᵐ5); (c) uncertain whether (a) or (b) in prophetic formula אָמַר ׳י ׳א Isaiah 7:7; Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 30:15; Isaiah 49:22; Isaiah 51:4; Isaiah 65:13; Jeremiah 7:20; Amos 1:8; Amos 3:11; Amos 5:3; Amos 7:6; Obadiah 1; Ezekiel (131 t.); ׳י ׳נְאֻם א Isaiah 56:8; Jeremiah 2:22; Amos 3:13; Amos 4:5; Amos 8:3,9,11; Ezekiel (80 t.); ׳י ׳דְּבַראֿ Ezekiel 6:3; Ezekiel 25:3; Ezekiel 36:4; ׳י ׳נִשְׁבַּע א Amos 4:2; Amos 6:8; ׳י ׳כֹּה הִרְאַנִי א Amos 7:1,4; Amos 8:1.

5 יהוה אֲדֹנָי Yahweh my Lord Psalm 68:21; Psalm 109:21; Psalm 140:8; Psalm 141:8; Habakkuk 3:9.

6 אֲדֹנָי יהוה צְבָאוֺת (a) my Lord Yahweh ‚. (see צבאות) Psalm 69:7; Amos 9:5; Isaiah 10:23; Isaiah 22:5,12; Isaiah 28:22 compare ׳אֱלֹהֵי הַצְבָאוֺת א ׳י, Yahweh, the God of Hosts my Lord Amos 5:16; (b) a divine name, Adonay, Yahweh ‚. Jeremiah 46:10 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 50:25; (c) uncertain are ׳צ ׳י ׳כֹּה אָמַר א Isaiah 10:24; Isaiah 22:14,15; ׳נְאֻם א ׳צ ׳י Isaiah 3:15; Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 49:5; Jeremiah 50:31.

lord, master, owner

Or (shortened) adon {aw-done'}; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. Controller (human or divine) -- lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with "Adoni-".

אֲ֝דֹנַ֗יִךְ אֲ‍ֽדוֹנֵיהֶ֗ם אֲד֣וֹן אֲד֥וֹן אֲדֹ֣נִי אֲדֹ֣נֵיהֶ֔ם אֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֑ם אֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֖ם אֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֗ם אֲדֹֽנֵיכֶ֑ם אֲדֹֽנֵיכֶֽם׃ אֲדֹֽנֵיכֶם֙ אֲדֹנִ֑י אֲדֹנִ֔י אֲדֹנִ֕י אֲדֹנִ֖י אֲדֹנִ֖ים אֲדֹנִ֗י אֲדֹנִ֛י אֲדֹנִ֜י אֲדֹנִ֣י אֲדֹנִ֣י ׀ אֲדֹנִ֣ים אֲדֹנִ֤י אֲדֹנִ֥י אֲדֹנִ֨י אֲדֹנִֽי־ אֲדֹנִֽי׃ אֲדֹנִי֒ אֲדֹנִי֙ אֲדֹנִי֮ אֲדֹנֵ֑ינוּ אֲדֹנֵ֖י אֲדֹנֵ֖ינוּ אֲדֹנֵ֗ינוּ אֲדֹנֵ֙נוּ֙ אֲדֹנֵ֜ינוּ אֲדֹנֵ֣י אֲדֹנֵ֥י אֲדֹנֵ֥ינוּ אֲדֹנֵ֨י אֲדֹנֵיהֶ֖ם אֲדֹנֵיהֶֽם׃ אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֑ם אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֔ם אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֖ם אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֣ם אֲדֹנֵיכֶֽם׃ אֲדֹנֶ֑יךָ אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ אֲדֹנֶ֖יךָ אֲדֹנֶ֗יךָ אֲדֹנֶ֙יךָ֙ אֲדֹנֶ֛יהָ אֲדֹנֶ֜יהָ אֲדֹנֶ֤יךָ אֲדֹנֶֽיךָ׃ אֲדֹנֶיךָ֒ אֲדֹנַ֗י אֲדֹנָ֑יו אֲדֹנָ֔י אֲדֹנָ֔יו אֲדֹנָ֖יו אֲדֹנָ֗י אֲדֹנָ֗יו אֲדֹנָ֛יו אֲדֹנָ֜יו אֲדֹנָ֣יו אֲדֹנָ֤יו אֲדֹנָ֥יו אֲדֹנָֽיו׃ אֲדֹנָיו֙ אֲדוֹנִ֣ים אֲדוֹנֵ֣ינוּ אֲדוֹנֶ֥יהָ אָ֭דוֹן אָד֖וֹן אָד֣וֹן אדון אדוניה א‍דוניהם אדונים אדונינו אדני אדני־ אדני׃ אדניה אדניהם אדניהם׃ אדניו אדניו׃ אדניך אדניך׃ אדניכם אדניכם׃ אדנים אדנינו אדננו בַּֽאדֹנִ֔י בַּֽאדֹנִ֥י באדני הָֽאָדוֹן֙ הָאֲדֹנִ֑ים הָאָד֖וֹן הָאָד֜וֹן הָאָד֣וֹן ׀ הָאָדוֹן֙ האדון האדנים וַֽאדֹנִ֖י וַֽאדֹנִי֙ וַאֲדֹנֵ֥ינוּ וַאדֹנִ֣י וַאדֹנִ֤י וַאדֹנִ֨י וּלְאָדוֹן֙ ואדני ואדנינו ולאדון כַּֽאדֹנָ֔יו כאדניו לְאָד֖וֹן לַֽאדֹנִ֑י לַֽאדֹנִ֔י לַֽאדֹנִ֖י לַֽאדֹנִ֗י לַֽאדֹנִ֜י לַֽאדֹנִ֤י לַֽאדֹנִ֨י לַֽאדֹנִֽי׃ לַֽאדֹנִי֙ לַֽאדֹנֶ֔יהָ לַֽאדֹנֶ֖יךָ לַֽאדֹנָ֔יו לַאֲד֥וֹן לַאֲדֹֽנֵיהֶ֖ם לַאֲדֹנֵ֣י לַאֲדֹנֵיהֶ֖ם לַאדֹנִ֖י לַאדֹנִ֗י לַאדֹנִ֣י לַאדֹנִ֤י לַאדֹנִ֥י לַאדֹנֶ֖יךָ לַאדֹנָ֖יו לאדון לאדני לאדני׃ לאדניה לאדניהם לאדניו לאדניך מֵֽאֲדֹנִ֔י מֵאֲדֹנָֽיו׃ מאדני מאדניו׃ ’ă·ḏō·na·yiḵ ’ă·ḏō·nāw ’ă·ḏō·nay ’ă·ḏō·nāy ’ă·ḏō·nê ’ă·ḏō·ne·hā ’ă·ḏō·nê·hem ’ă·ḏō·ne·ḵā ’ă·ḏō·nê·ḵem ’ă·ḏō·nê·nū ’ă·ḏō·nî ’ă·ḏō·nî- ’ă·ḏō·nîm ’ă·ḏō·w·ne·hā ’ă·ḏō·w·nê·nū ’ă·ḏō·w·nîm ’ă·ḏō·wn ’ā·ḏō·wn ’ăḏō·w·nê·hem ’ăḏōnāw ’ăḏōnay ’ăḏōnāy ’ăḏōnayiḵ ’ăḏōnê ’ăḏōnehā ’ăḏōnêhem ’ăḏōneḵā ’ăḏōnêḵem ’ăḏōnênū ’ăḏōnî ’ăḏōnî- ’ăḏōnîm ’ăḏōwn ’āḏōwn ’ăḏōwnehā ’ăḏōwnêhem ’ăḏōwnênū ’ăḏōwnîm aDon adoNai adoNav adoNayich adoNei adoNeicha adoneiChem adoNeiha aDoneiHem adoNeinu adoNenu adoNi adoNim ba·ḏō·nî badoNi baḏōnî hā’ăḏōnîm hā’āḏōwn hā·’ă·ḏō·nîm hā·’ā·ḏō·wn haadOn haadoNim ka·ḏō·nāw kadoNav kaḏōnāw la’ăḏōnê la’ăḏōnêhem la’ăḏōwn la·’ă·ḏō·nê la·’ă·ḏō·nê·hem la·’ă·ḏō·wn la·ḏō·nāw la·ḏō·ne·hā la·ḏō·ne·ḵā la·ḏō·nî laaDon laadoNei laadoneiHem ladoNav laḏōnāw laḏōnehā ladoNeicha ladoNeiha laḏōneḵā ladoNi laḏōnî lə’āḏōwn lə·’ā·ḏō·wn leaDon mê’ăḏōnāw mê’ăḏōnî mê·’ă·ḏō·nāw mê·’ă·ḏō·nî meadoNav meadoNi ū·lə·’ā·ḏō·wn ūlə’āḏōwn uleadOn vaadoNeinu vadoNi wa’ăḏōnênū wa·’ă·ḏō·nê·nū wa·ḏō·nî waḏōnîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts