Adonoi or Adoni?

Question

Question 1) What is the difference between Adonai and Adoni? I saw a site that mentioned that Adonai refers to divinity, but Adoni does not. That is, what is stated in the Psalm 110 refers to a person other than G-d, in the sense of divinity. But, for example, when Obadiah tells Elijah that Edoni does not refer to divinity. (1 Kings 18:7,13)

Question 2) Why are these two (Adonai and Adoni) written similarly but pronounced differently?

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Adonai is one of the main Names of God. It refers to God being in control of everything.

    Adoni means “my master” – the letter ‘yud’ at the end of the word turns it into the possessive “my.” The word “adon” means a master, and therefore “adoni” means “my master.” It is often used in Tanach as a formal and respectful way of addressing someone. The reason that they share the same letters is because they both represent the same concept of being a master over another.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team