Meaning and Derivation: Adonai is the verbal parallel to Yahweh and Jehovah. Adonai is plural; the singular is adon. In reference to God the plural Adonai is used. When the singular adon is used, it usually refers to a human lord. Adon is used 215 times to refer to men. Occasionally in Scripture and predominantly in the Psalms, the singular adon is used to refer to God as well (cf. Exodus 34:23). To avoid contravening the commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7), sometimes Adonai was used as a substitute for Yahweh(YHWH). Adonai can be translated literally as, “my lords’ ” (both plural and possessive). Source BLB.org

I find it disrespectful when children call their parents by their given names. I do not allow my children to call me Larry. I set the rules for my children. Perhaps Exodus 20:7 was God’s way of setting that rule for His children, perhaps.

In many states grandparents are given affectionate names to be used with respect and affection. When both grandparents are still living different names are given to each to distinguish the maternal or paternal heritage. The issue is not so much what those names are but rather the loving respect given in the heart of the child.

In many ways I view Adonai as being just that, a loving and respectful name that is heart felt by the children of God.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Being adopted our heartfelt Abba is our equivalent to Adonai.

Abba has the Greek interpretation subjoined to it; this is apparently to be explained by the fact that the Chaldean word, through frequent use in prayer, gradually acquired the nature of a most sacred proper name, to which the Greek-speaking Jews added the appellative from their own tongue, respecting its accent. Source BLB.org

Meaning and Derivation: Yahweh is the promised name of God. This name of God which (by Jewish tradition) is too holy to voice, is actually spelled “YHWH” without vowels. YHWH is referred to as the Tetragrammaton (which simply means “the four letters”). YHWH comes from the Hebrew letters: Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay. While YHWH is first used in Genesis 2, God did not reveal Himself as YHWH until Exodus 3. The modern spelling as “Yahweh” includes vowels to assist in pronunciation. Many pronounce YHWH as “Yahweh” or “Jehovah.” We no longer know for certain the exact pronunciation. During the third century A.D., the Jewish people stopped saying this name in fear of contravening the commandment “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7). As a result of this, Adonai is occasionally a substitute for YHWH. The following compound names which start with “YHWH” have been shown using “Jehovah.” This is due to the common usage of “Jehovah” in the English of these compound names in the early English translations of the Bible (e.g., the Geneva Bible, the King James Version, etc.).

Have you ever seen people write G_D to avoid spelling God? That always seemed silly to me and an unnecessary superstitious act. In the spirit however I sense the need for a super sensitive respect for the unspeakable name of God. How do you pronounce YHWH since it has no vowels? I honestly believe that the commandment in Exodus 20:7 held a different and sacred meaning that has been lost to us, perhaps in part, because His true name itself is a power which man could not be trusted to use according to God’s divine will.

Since God spoke His creation into existence, I have wondered if perhaps when God breathed His name, the universe was created. I have no proof of that, any more than I know how to pronounce YHWH. The issue of not speaking this name in vain, to me, indicates that there would be an inherent danger in something happening that was not according to God’s sovereign will.

Revelation 16:9 (in part) the name of God, which hath power