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Adonai

uh-DOH-nuh-ih

Adonai (name) means a Hebrew title for God, meaning "my Lord," traditionally spoken aloud in place of the sacred name YHWH. Example: “Observant Jews say "Adonai" during prayer rather than pronouncing the divine name directly.”

name
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A Hebrew title for God, meaning "my Lord," traditionally spoken aloud in place of the sacred name YHWH.
"Observant Jews say "Adonai" during prayer rather than pronouncing the divine name directly."

How to Use Adonai

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA respectful Hebrew name for God, used as a stand-in for the unspoken divine name in Jewish tradition.

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Observant Jews say "_____" during prayer rather than pronouncing the divine name directly.

Etymology

From Hebrew ʾădônāy, "my Lord," used in place of the Tetragrammaton out of reverence.

Origin: Hebrew

Rhymes for Adonai

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Adonai” mean?

The word “Adonai” means a Hebrew title for God, meaning "my Lord," traditionally spoken aloud in place of the sacred name YHWH. In plain terms, a respectful Hebrew name for God, used as a stand-in for the unspoken divine name in Jewish tradition.

How do you pronounce “Adonai”?

“Adonai” is pronounced uh-DOH-nuh-ih (/ˌæ.dəˈnaɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Adonai” in a sentence?

Here is “Adonai” used in a sentence: “Observant Jews say "Adonai" during prayer rather than pronouncing the divine name directly.”

What part of speech is “Adonai”?

“Adonai” is a name.

Where does the word “Adonai” come from?

The word “Adonai” comes from Hebrew. From Hebrew ʾădônāy, "my Lord," used in place of the Tetragrammaton out of reverence.

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