Understanding the Word 'Lord' in Scripture — Why It Matters

Paleo Hebrew Dictionary Out Now !!!

Understanding the Word 'Lord' in Scripture — Why It Matters

If you’ve spent any time reading the Bible, you’ve likely come across the word “lord.” But did you know it appears in three distinct forms—each with very different meanings in the original Hebrew? This often-overlooked detail can deepen your understanding of Scripture and clear up some serious misconceptions.

These three ways the word appears are:

• lord (all lowercase)

• Lord (first letter capitalized)

• LORD (all uppercase)

Each version corresponds to a different Hebrew word, revealing not only distinctions between human and divine authority but also preserving the sacred name of God Himself.

1. 'lord' — All Lowercase

When you see “lord” in all lowercase letters, it’s translating the Paleo-Hebrew word 𐤀𐤃𐤅𐤍 (Adawan), found in Strong’s Concordance as #113. This term simply means “lord” or “master”—a person of authority over others.

For example:

“Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” — Genesis 18:12 (KJV)

Here, “lord” is referring to Abraham, Sarah’s husband—not God. When the term is used for men, it is always written in lowercase. But when it’s used to refer to God, the first letter is capitalized, as we’ll see next.

2. 'Lord' — First Letter Capitalized

“Lord” with a capital “L” translates the Hebrew word 𐤀𐤃𐤍𐤉 (Adanaya), which is the possessive form of Adawan and means “my lord.”

Though it’s translated as “Lord” in English, it doesn’t exclusively refer to God—it depends on context.

Example:

“And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight...” — Genesis 18:3 (KJV)

This could be referring to a divine figure, but again, it’s the possessive form “my lord.”

The Hebrew grammar expands:

• 𐤀𐤃𐤅𐤍 (Adawan) — lord

• 𐤀𐤃𐤍𐤉 (Adanaya) — my lord

• 𐤀𐤃𐤍𐤉𐤌 (Adanayam) — lords (plural)

• 𐤀𐤃𐤅𐤍𐤉 (Adawanaya) — my lords (plural possessive)

You’ll find Adawanaya in places like 1 Kings 22:17, where it refers to kings or nobles, not God.

3. 'LORD' — All Uppercase

Now this is the big one. When you see LORD in all caps, it’s not just a title. It’s a substitute for the sacred name of God: 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 — known commonly as YHWH or the Tetragrammaton.

Example:

“And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre…” — Genesis 18:1 (KJV)

The name YHWH appears over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible. Out of reverence for the name, Jewish scribes began replacing it with Adonai in pronunciation, and English translators followed suit by rendering it as “LORD” in all uppercase letters.

This replacement has theological implications:

• It obscures God's personal name

• It blurs the distinction between a title and a name

• It opens the door for confusion between God and others called “Lord”

Why This Matters

The difference between “lord,” “Lord,” and “LORD” isn’t just grammar—it’s theology.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to:

• Recognize when God’s personal name is being used

• Distinguish between God and men in authority

• Appreciate the depth and reverence of the Hebrew text

In today’s English Bibles, much of this nuance is lost—but when restored, it offers clarity about who is being addressed, honored, or worshiped in Scripture. It also exposes how tradition and translation have sometimes obscured the identity of the Most High—YHWH.

So the next time you read your Bible and see the word “lord,” don’t skip past it. Look at how it’s written—and remember the Name behind the title.