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Adonai

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A Hebrew reverential title for God meaning “Lord” or “my Lord,” traditionally substituted when reading the sacred divine name aloud.

Detailed Definition
Adonai is a Hebrew title used in Jewish reading and prayer in place of pronouncing the divine name. In poetry, it carries both intimacy and majesty: a word that bends the speaker toward reverence while retaining the cadence of address. Its sound can frame a lament, vow, or hymn as a direct conversation with sovereignty, placing human uncertainty beneath an attentive, commanding presence.
Example
Example in poetry:
Adonai is a Hebrew title meaning “Lord” and can establish reverence in a devotional poem; “Adonai, shepherd the fear from my sleeping heart”; A poet may repeat Adonai as a refrain to create solemn musical emphasis; Using the title can connect personal prayer with the language of the Hebrew scriptures.
Additional Notes
Adonai is a Hebrew title meaning “Lord” or “my Lord,” traditionally spoken in Jewish reading in place of the divine name. It expresses reverence, authority, and dependence. In poetry, calling God Adonai can emphasize sovereignty over nations, creation, or the worshiper’s life; it is related to titles such as Lord, King, and Shepherd.
Also Known As
Lord My Lord
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