The last in the list of names that designates the Deity is the name “Adonai”, “A-d-o-n-a-i”. It’s different from other names assigned to the Deity because Adonai is also often used of men as well as the Deity. While the name “Jehovah” is spelled in most English Bibles in all capital letters, Adonai is also translated in our English Bibles “Lord”, but only the first letter “L” is capitalized, with the “o-r-d” being in lowercase letters. In most cases, this is the only way to distinguish “Lord” from “LORD” in the English. Used as one of the names for the Deity, Adonai is found about three hundred times in the Old Testament. A good Bible concordance will readily identify which is which, and Adonai is, like Elohim, nearly always found in the plural, once again giving support to a plurality of Persons. The precise expression would be “my Lords”. Even more curious and compelling is that Adonai is also used in reference to men about 215 times. It’s rendered in the English as “master”, “sir”, or “Lord, but every time it’s applied to humans, it is always singular. In its reference to Deity, it is invariably plural.
A striking usage is in the enigmatic statement found in Psalm 110. Jesus Christ quoted this to the complete befuddlement of the religious establishment in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 22, “The LORD says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make Thy enemies a footstool for Thy feet.’” What kind of double-talk is that? “My LORD said to my Lord.” It’s not double-talk at all. It’s perfectly logical. Look at the English text of Psalm 110. The first word “LORD” is all caps…Jehovah. The second “Lord” has only the “L” in Lord in caps. This translation difference tells us the first LORD is Jehovah, and the second Lord, with the capital “L” and lowercase letters is Adonai. This is prophetically Messianic. David the King is relating conversation between plural members of the Deity. The Father is speaking to the Son. Additionally, the Son, Jesus Christ, is depicted as being the son of David, and, biologically, He was. But Jesus Christ is also David’s Lord.
What a beautiful and compelling indication once again of the unmistakable plurality of Persons in the Godhead. Because the ancient Hebrews stood in great fear of using Jehovah’s name, or Yahweh, in vain, they forbade its usage altogether. Only then could they be certain they could not use the name in vain. Just don’t use it at all. Consequently, precisely how the name of Jehovah, or Yahweh, is pronounced is lost. Neither Jehovah nor Yahweh, as I am using it now may be correct. We simply don’t know. But this necessitated having a substitute name for the Deity. And, what might that be? Adonai. To this day, Adonai is the name most used by Jews when invoking the Deity.
CC-04-20
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