What is Adonai?

"Adonai" is the pronunciation that pious Jews substitute for the written word in scripture Jehovah (or Yahweh or YHWH). The novel opens with the Rabbi of Nazareth, Jesus' Uncle Simeon, crying out for Adonai to bring freedom to Israel. Jesus' paralyzed father, Joseph, spends all his time and energy trying to get the three awe-filled syllables out of his mouth. Whenever a Messianic atmosphere is to be conveyed, Adonai rather than God is used.