"Lord" What does it Mean?

“Lord” What does it Mean?

This week let’s look at the word “Lord” with a capital “L” followed by lowercase “ord.”

Last week, I wrote about the word “lord” with all small letters. This word is most often translated “lord” when the Hebrew word “adon” is used. So, when you see “lord” it usually means master, owner, controller – or a human who has authority over another.

Now that we know the Hebrew word adon (translated lord) usually means human authority-we can better understand how the next Hebrew word builds on it.

Today we will study the Hebrew word “adonay.” As you see it is the word adon plus “ay” on the end. Hebrew dictionaries explain that adonay means a forceful emphasis on the word adon.

In other words, adonay means a HUGE EMPHASIS ON THE MASTER, OWNER, CONTROLLER. It means God as THE ULTIMATE master, owner, controller.

The word Adonay is the Jewish expression of God’s name. Because they believed the name of God (Jehovah, Yahweh) was too holy to be used-the word Adonay was used instead.

Adonay (meaning God as THE ULTIMATE master, owner, controller) is usually translated “Lord” in English Bibles.

A chapter that clearly shows that “Lord” means God Almighty is in Genesis chapter 18. In this chapter Abraham is speaking to God about Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham calls Him “Lord” (Adonay) over and over again. See Genesis 18:27, 30, 31, 32.

When you see “Lord” used in English Bibles, it means God Almighty. THE one and only master, owner, and controller.

So to recap:

“lord” means a human who has authority over others.

“Lord” is another name for God.

Carla Killough McClafferty