adon

Adon is a Hebrew noun meaning “lord” or “master.” It is used as a title for someone with authority and, in religious contexts, as a designation for God. In Biblical Hebrew, adon appears in various compounds and phrases and often functions as a form of address to a person in a position of power. The related, more sacred form Adonai is the traditional vocalization used when referring to the divine name in Jewish liturgy and study, evolving as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton in speech and prayer.

In religious usage, Adon emphasizes reverence and hierarchy. The word can appear in prayers and scriptural readings as part of phrases that invoke or acknowledge a lord or master. In modern Hebrew, the term is chiefly encountered in religious or formal contexts, while everyday language tends to employ other expressions for “master” or “sir.”

Etymologically, Adon is linked to a Semitic root associated with ruling or ownership. Cognates appear in related languages, such as Aramaic, where similar terms mean “lord” or “master.” The broader semantic field includes both human authority and the divine, depending on context.

Adon is also encountered as a personal name in various communities. As a given name or surname, it may be used in transliteration from Hebrew or influenced by regional naming practices. Variants and spellings appear in different languages and cultures.

See also: Adonai, Adonis.