What is the difference between LORD, Lord and lord?

The usage of, "LORD, Lord and lord" in the bible is not a mistake, because they carry different meaning. Some people think that they mean the same thing, but when you consult the Hebrew and Greek translation, you will come to the realization that they are used differently in the bible. My main emphasis for this short article is to distinguish the difference between the bible usage of "LORD, Lord and lord" for your spiritual edification.

                                   LORD                                                                      

''LORD'' in the Hebrew is the word, ''YHWH'', also known as the tetragrammaton (four letter words). It is often pronounced, "Yahweh or "Yehovah, or Jehovah", which is the personal sacred name of God. The name, "Yahweh" means, "I Am who I AM", it reveals God as the self existent one. It is the personal name which God revealed to his servant Moses in the midst of the burning bush (Exodus 3). 

It is important to know that the Jews from past decades, hitherto reveres God's name to the extent that they refuse to pronounce his personal name, "YHWH", for fear of blaspheming or calling the name of God in vain. So, when they are reading the scriptures, where LORD (Yahweh) appears they will not pronounce it or even use it in prayer, instead they use the divine title ''Lord (Adonai)'' as it's substitute.  

                                   Lord

"Lord" in the bible is one of the many appellations of God in the bible. "Lord" means, "Master, one who has authority over others, a sovereign ruler ". It is a divine title often used in reference to God. The Hebrew translation of, "Lord" is the word "Adonai". 

Joshua 7: 8

O Lord (Adonai), what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies?

Exodus 34: 9

He said, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession." 

When the title "Lord" is applied to God, it is an acknowledgment of him as the supreme sovereign ruler. It is a way of declaring him as the One who owns us, the One who is in charge of our lives, as our Master.

In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old testament) the title "Lord" was translated as, "Kurios" meaning, "Master or one who possesses authority". It the same title applied to our Lord Jesus Christ in the new testament. Jesus Christ is the sovereign ruler of the universe, the one who exercises divine sovereignty over all creations. For further study, you can read my article, "What does it mean that Jesus is Lord?

                                      lord

When the spelling for lord, are all lower case, it generally refers to a human Master, or one who has authority over others. It is the Hebrew word for, ''Adon", meaning a, Master, a owner or a lord. When you check the scriptures, "lord" with all small letters is often applied to humans who possessed some level of authority over others. These are few examples 

Genesis 23:14-15

Then Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him. "My lord, listen to me; a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between me and you? So bury your dead."

Genesis 32:17-18

He commanded the one in front, saying, "When my brother Esau meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong, and where are you going, and to whom do these animals in front of you belong? then you shall say, 'These belong to your servant Jacob; it is a present sent to my lord Esau. And behold, he also is behind us.'"

Exodus 32:21-22

Then Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?". Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord burn; you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil.

To recapitulate, "LORD" is the Hebrew translation for, "Yahweh" or YHWH applied to God. ''Lord'' is the Hebrew word, "Adonay or Adonai" a divine title applied to God, often used as a substitute for God's personal name," YHWH". ''lord'' is the Hebrew translation of "Adon or Adoni" which means, " a human Master". God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

 Jesus Christ is the sovereign ruler of the universe, the one who exercises divine sovereignty over all creations

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