Adonai

The discussion centers on the name of God, specifically Yahweh, which has significant relational meaning. Yahweh is introduced in Scripture and represents a personal connection with God. After the Babylonian captivity, the Hebrew people began to revere God's name so deeply that they replaced Yahweh with Adonai during public readings. This shift meant that when they encountered Yahweh, they would instead say Adonai, which incorporates vowels from that title to signify respect. Adonai translates to "Lord" and conveys authority and sovereignty, emphasizing God as the highest ruler. In Deuteronomy 10:17, God is described as "God of gods and Lord of lords," reinforcing His supreme power. The personalized form, represented in English translations as "Lord" (with a capital L and lowercase o), highlights a relational aspect, akin to a father-child dynamic, emphasizing not just God's position but also His intimate relationship with believers.