Lexical Summary
adon: Lord, master, owner
Original Word:אָדוֹן
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:adown
Pronunciation:ah-DOHN
Phonetic Spelling:(aw-done')
KJV: lord, master, owner
NASB:lord, master, master's, lord's, masters, lords
Word Origin:[from an unused root (meaning to rule)]
1. sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
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-".
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitionlord
NASB Translationhusbands (1), Lord (5), lord (172), lord's (9), lords (2), master (91), master's (24), masters (5), owner (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Malachi 3:1 lord (Phoenician ) —
Psalm 12:5 #NAME?
Joshua 3:11 +; plural
Isaiah 26:13 +; construct
Deuteronomy 10:17 +; suffix
1 Samuel 25:14 + etc.; (, , 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 (see Dalm
Der Gottesname Adonaj; Lag
BN 188 makes an Aramaic formative); 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;
Exodus 4:10,13;
Joshua 7:8 (J)
Judges 6:15;
Judges 13:8 is referred to God, but
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
Genesis 18:3;
Genesis 19:18;
Genesis 19:2) —
singularlord, master (1) reference to men: (a) superintendent of household, or of affairsGenesis 45:8,9 (E) =Psalm 105:21; (b) masterPsalm 12:5; (c) kingJeremiah 22:18;Jeremiah 34:5; (2) reference to God,the Lord Yahweh (see )Exodus 23:17;Exodus 34:23 (Cov't codes);Lord of the whole earthJoshua 3:11,13 (J)Psalm 97:5;Zechariah 4:14;Zechariah 6:5;Micah 4:13; , earlierIsaiah 1:24;Isaiah 3:1;Isaiah 10:33;Isaiah 19:4 (Isaiah 10:16 in common MT; not Massora, doubtless scribal error);Malachi 3:1;Psalm 114:7.
plurallords, kingsDeuteronomy 10:17 =Psalm 136:3;Isaiah 26:13; elsewhere intensive plural of rank,lord, master, (1) reference to men: (a)proprietor of hill Samaria1 Kings 16:24; (b)masterGenesis 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)husbandJudges 19:26,27;Psalm 45:12; (d)prophet2 Kings 2:3,5,16; (e)governorNehemiah 3:5; (f)princeGenesis 42:10,30,33 (E)Genesis 44:8 (J)1 Samuel 29:10; (g)kingGenesis 40:1 (E)Judges 3:25 40t. Samuel & Kings; Chronicles only in sources1 Chronicles 12:19 compare1 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 GodMalachi 1:6;Lord of lordsDeuteronomy 10:17 =Psalm 136:3;Psalm 135:5;Psalm 147:5;Nehemiah 8:10;Psalm 8:2;Psalm 8:10;Nehemiah 10:30;Isaiah 51:22 (probably =thy husband, Yahweh);Hosea 12:15 (possibly error for ).
suffix 1 singular (1) reference to men:my lord, my master, (a) masterExodus 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)husbandGenesis 18:12 (J); (c)prophet1 Kings 18:7,13;2 Kings 2:19;2 Kings 4:16,28;2 Kings 6:5;2 Kings 8:5; (d)princeGenesis 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)king1 Samuel 22:12 + (Samuel & Kings 75 t.); (f)fatherGenesis 31:35 (E); (g)MosesExodus 32:22;Numbers 11:28;Numbers 12:11;Numbers 32:26,27 (J);Numbers 36:2 (twice in verse) (P); (h)priest1 Samuel 1:15,26 (twice in verse); (i)theophanic angelJoshua 5:14;Judges 6:13; (j)captain2 Samuel 11:11; (k) General recognition of superiorityGenesis 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:
my LordGenesis 20:4 (? E)Exodus 15:17 (Samaritan ) 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; alsoJudges 6:15;Judges 13:8; not Samuel;1 Kings 22:6;2 Kings 19:23; not Chron. except memorialsEzra 10:3 (reference to Ezra)Nehemiah 1:11;Nehemiah 4:8; Wisdom Literature onlyJob 28:28 (doubtless scribal error for of many MSS.); not Hosea;Isaiah 37:24;Isaiah 38:14,16 (historical part); exileIsaiah 49:14 (compareIsaiah 51:22);Micah 1:2;Psalm 16:2 + (47 t., chiefly this sense, except below ; comparemy Lord and my GodPsalm 35:23; (writers that use seldom use );
Adonay , parallel withYahweh, substitution for it often by scribal error, & eventually supplanting it. In earlierIsaiah 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 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 (? )Psalm 110:5 (Dalman puts most of these below (a); — many cases are doubtful);1 Kings 3:10,15 (Masoretic for compare Dalm2 Kings 7:6; Dalm rightly questions; he reads ). The phrasesPsalm 38:16;Psalm 86:12,Adonay my God;Daniel 9:3,Daniel 9:9,15,Daniel 9:4 favour takingDaniel 1:2;Daniel 9:7,8 ( ?)Daniel 9:16;Daniel 9:17;Daniel 9:19;Daniel 9:19;Daniel 9:19 as the divine name.
(a)my Lord Yahweh (see )Genesis 15:2,8 (JE)Joshua 7:7 (J, omit )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; probablyAmos 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 ( )Ezekiel 13:9;Ezekiel 23:49;Ezekiel 24:24;Ezekiel 28:24;Ezekiel 29:16 inappropriate in mouth of God; strike out (Co) or read (Dalm);Micah 1:2;Zephaniah 1:7;Obadiah 1;Zechariah 9:14;Psalm 71:5;Psalm 71:16;Psalm 73:28; (b) apparentlyAdonay YahwehIsaiah 25:8;Jeremiah 44:26; exileIsaiah 40:10 + (10 t., butIsaiah 61:1,11 read , ); (c) uncertain whether (a) or (b) in prophetic formulaIsaiah 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.);Isaiah 56:8;Jeremiah 2:22;Amos 3:13;Amos 4:5;Amos 8:3,9,11; Ezekiel (80 t.);Ezekiel 6:3;Ezekiel 25:3;Ezekiel 36:4;Amos 4:2;Amos 6:8;Amos 7:1,4;Amos 8:1.
Yahweh my LordPsalm 68:21;Psalm 109:21;Psalm 140:8;Psalm 141:8;Habakkuk 3:9.
(a)my Lord Yahweh‚. (see )Psalm 69:7;Amos 9:5;Isaiah 10:23;Isaiah 22:5,12;Isaiah 28:22 compare ,Yahweh, the God of Hosts my LordAmos 5:16; (b) a divine name,Adonay, Yahweh‚.Jeremiah 46:10 (twice in verse);Jeremiah 50:25; (c) uncertain areIsaiah 10:24;Isaiah 22:14,15;Isaiah 3:15;Jeremiah 2:19;Jeremiah 49:5;Jeremiah 50:31.
Topical Lexicon
Overviewאָדוֹן (ʾadon, “lord, master”) functions as a relational title designating authority, ownership, and supremacy. Ranging from simple courtesy toward a neighbor to the loftiest confession of divine sovereignty, the word frames Israel’s social order and worship alike.
Frequency and Forms
Appearing roughly 325 times, אָדוֹן occurs in the absolute (“lord”), plural (“lords”), and with pronominal suffixes (“my lord,” “his lord”). The plural can denote majesty even when referring to one person. Though most common in narrative prose, the title surfaces across legal, poetic, and prophetic texts.
Human Lordship and Social Hierarchy
1. Household Masters
•Genesis 24:9: Abraham’s servant “placed his hand under the thigh of his master (ʾadon) Abraham.”
•Exodus 21:4–6: slavery legislation repeatedly calls the owner “his master.”
The term underscores accountability; masters must answer to the ultimate Lord (Exodus 21:27).
2. Patriarchal and Marital Honor
•Genesis 18:12: Sarah refers to Abraham as “my lord.”
•1 Peter 3:6 later cites this verse, commending respectful submission.
3. Political Courtesy and Diplomacy
•Genesis 42:10; 44:18: Joseph’s brothers address him as “my lord.”
•1 Samuel 25:24–31: Abigail repeatedly calls David “my lord,” affirming his God-given kingship.
4. Royal Recognition
•2 Samuel 19:28: Mephibosheth acknowledges David as “my lord the king.”
Such usage distinguishes covenantal kingship from pagan absolutism; Israel’s king is a lord under the LORD.
Divine Title
While אָדוֹן usually names human authority, several passages transfer the title to God, stressing His unrivaled rule.
•Exodus 23:17: “Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.”
•Isaiah 1:24: “Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares…”
•Psalm 97:5: “The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord—at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.”
In these texts “Lord” (ʾadon) is coupled with the covenant name YHWH, binding divine sovereignty to covenant faithfulness.
Compound Title “Lord GOD” (ʾadon YHWH)
The prophets, especially Ezekiel, favor the compound “Lord GOD,” blending transcendent authority with covenant intimacy. Though the vocalization often reads ʾadonai, the underlying consonants derive from אָדוֹן, illustrating how human categories of lordship serve to articulate God’s kingship.
Messianic Significance
Psalm 110:1 stands at the center:
“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’”
Here David’s “my Lord” (ʾadoni) refers to a figure greater than the Davidic monarch. Jesus cites the verse inMatthew 22:41–46,Mark 12:35–37, andLuke 20:41–44, demonstrating that Messiah is both David’s Son and his Lord. Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:34–36) declares the risen Christ to be this Lord, uniting Hebrew ʾadon with Greek Kyrios.
Worship and Prayer
Calling God “Lord” expresses submission, trust, and covenant allegiance. Psalmists invoke the title in lament (Psalm 54:4), thanksgiving (Psalm 30:8), and adoration (Psalm 8:1). The repetition nurtures habitual recognition of God’s right to command every realm of life.
Historical and Cultural Background
In wider Ancient Near Eastern usage, adon/adannu labeled vassal lords and suzerain kings alike. Biblical writers adopt and purify the concept: earthly lords remain accountable to the cosmic Lord who liberates slaves (Deuteronomy 24:14) and humbles kings (Daniel 4:37).
Theological Themes
1. Delegated Authority
Every sphere—family, state, worship—operates under derived lordship. Abuse of power violates the Owner’s trust and invites judgment (Isaiah 10:12).
2. Covenant Obedience
A servant’s “my lord” mirrors Israel’s confession “O LORD our Lord” (Psalm 8:1), linking personal obedience to national vocation.
3. Christ’s Supreme Lordship
Philippians 2:11’s climactic “Jesus Christ is Lord” echoes ʾadon traditions, presenting the Son as rightful Master of all.
Ministry Application
• Discipleship: The servant-master model clarifies Christian obedience—whole-life submission to Christ.
• Leadership: Pastors and civil leaders serve as stewards, not owners (1 Corinthians 4:1–5).
• Counseling and Family Life: Sarah’s respectful address (Genesis 18:12) informs mutual honor within marriage (Ephesians 5:21–33).
• Worship Planning: Songs and prayers that emphasize God’s lordship cultivate reverence and remind congregations that grace never nullifies His authority.
Selected References
Genesis 18:12; 24:9; 42:10
Exodus 23:17
Deuteronomy 10:17
1 Samuel 24:8
2 Samuel 19:28
1 Kings 1:31
Psalm 8:1, 9; 30:8; 54:4; 97:5; 110:1
Isaiah 1:24; 3:1
Jeremiah 27:4
Ezekiel 2:4; 34:24
Malachi 1:6
Forms and Transliterations
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 waḏōnî
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