LORD

Hebrew definitions in Old Testament

The following words for “Lord” are used throughout Old Testament. This can make study of the prophets difficult.  For example, the Prophet Zechariah in his writing will refer to one individual as “lord” and then turn around and address another as “Lord”.  There are two DISTINCT individuals present and it is IMPORTANT to the reader to understand who it is that is making the statements. This is NOT a complete study of the word but only enough to allow understanding for a book such as Zechariah.

The various Hebrew/Chaldean words will be cited using examples from just the book of Genesis.

Adown – sovereign (meaning to rule) – can be human or divine – lord, master, owner

Genesis references:

18:12 – Sarah addressing Abraham as lord of the house

19:18 – Lot calls “angels” who delivered them from city

23:6,11,15 – reference to Abraham

24:18 – Rebekah calls Abraham’s servant

31:35 – Rachel addressing her father

32:4-33:15 – Jacob referring to Esau

39:16 - Potiphar over Joseph

40-47 – Joseph called by his brothers in Egypt

Ge biyr – a master, lord as in being stronger or more prevailing

Genesis 27:29;37 Esau blessing Jacob – making him master over his brethren

Adonay – an emphatic form of “Adown” – the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) – my Lord

Genesis 15:2; 15:8; 18:3; 18:27; 18:30-32; 20:4;

Ye hovah – self-existent or Eternal; Jewish national name of God, the Lord

Used in all of Genesis for “Lord” God with the exceptions as listed above.

Yahh – constructed from “Yehovah” and meaning the same.  “The sacred name”

Not found used until the book of Psalms 77:11; 89:8; 94:7; 94:12; etc

OTHER HEBREW WORDS FOR LORD

Elohiym – gods, used of the supreme God, can be used by deference to magistrates, angels, someone or something exceedingly mighty and great

Ye hovih – God - variation on “Elohiym”