Meaning of Adonai Rohi in Hebrew Scripture
The Hebrew phrase Adonai Rohi combines two significant terms: Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) and Rohi (רֹעִי). Adonai is a title of God, while Rohi means "my shepherd."
The term Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) is a plural form of adon (אָדוֹן), meaning "lord" or "master," but when vocalized as Adonai, it functions as a proper name for God [1]. Jews traditionally substitute Adonai for the divine name YHWH (the Tetragrammaton) when reading scripture, considering it impious to pronounce YHWH directly [1]. Adam Clarke notes that Adonai signifies "my director, basis, supporter, prop, or stay," emphasizing God's role as the foundation and sustainer of all things [1].
In some contexts, adonai (אֲדֹנַי) can refer to human lords or masters, particularly when the vowel pointing differs or when the context clearly indicates a human referent. For example, in Genesis 18:3, Abraham addresses three visitors, and the term adonai is interpreted by some rabbinic traditions, such as Rashi and Midrash Rabbah, as referring to these human figures (specifically, angels), with Abraham addressing the senior one among them [2, 3]. However, Rashi also offers an alternative interpretation for Genesis 18:3 where Adonai refers to God, asking Him to wait [3].
The term Rohi (רֹעִי) is derived from the Hebrew root ra'ah (רָעָה), meaning "to feed," "to pasture," or "to shepherd." When combined with the first-person singular possessive suffix "-i" (ִי), it means "my shepherd." The most famous instance of this combination is in Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (יְהוָה רֹעִי, לֹא אֶחְסָר). While the phrase in Psalm 23 uses YHWH (rendered as "The Lord") rather than Adonai, the concept of God as a shepherd is central to biblical theology.
The combination Adonai Rohi thus expresses a profound theological truth: God, as the sovereign Lord (Adonai), also acts as a personal, caring shepherd (Rohi) to His people. This imagery conveys guidance, provision, protection, and intimate care, reflecting God's active involvement in the lives of individuals.
Sources
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 15:8: And he said, Lord God - אדני יהוה Adonai Yehovah, my Lord Jehovah. Adonai is the word which the Jews in reading always substitute for Jehovah, as they count it impious to pronounce this name. Adonai signifies my director, basis, supporter, prop, or stay; and scarcely a more appropriate name can be given to that God who is the framer and director of every righteous word and action; the basis or foundation on which every rational hope rests; the supporter of the souls and bodies of men, as well as of the universe in general; the prop and stay of the weak and fainting”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Bereishit Rabbah 48:10: “He said: My Lord, please, if I have found favor in Your eyes, please do not depart from upon your servant” (Genesis 18:3). “He said: My lords [ adonai ], 23 The midrash interprets the term adonai not as a reference to God, but rather to the three angels, adonai being in the plural. That raises the question: Why is the rest of the verse in the singular? The midrash responds that he directed his request to their senior member. please, if I have found favor in your eyes” – Rabbi Ḥiyya the Great taught: He said this to the senior one of them, that is Mikhae”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Genesis 18:3: 'ויאמר אדני אם נא וגו AND HE SAID, MY LORD, IF NOW etc. — He addressed himself to the Chief of them; calling them all “lords”, (אדני may mean “my lords”), whilst to their Chief he said “Do not I pray thee pass away”, for he knew that if he would not pass by, his companions would certainly remain with him. In this explanation the word אדני has a “profane” sense (does not refer to God, being merely a term of address, “Sirs”) . Another explanation is that the word is “holy” (referring to God): he asked God to wait for him whilst he ran and invited t”