This is a distinction only seen in the pointed text is it not? If so then
could it not be just a Masoretic invention-convention.
Schmuel
True, but some of us consider the vowel points as inspired....
eg..
Romans 3
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles
of God.
There is an interesting article defending the Masoretic vowel points ...
The Inspiration of the Hebrew Letters & Vowel-Points
By George Sayles Bishop 1836-1914
And I am interested in the views on this topic...
Orthodox Jews also often have the "inspired" view (though with different
justification :-)
One can also hold a view that the Masoretes were accurate in transmitting
different pronunciations without necessarily being 'inspired'.
However if one has a "vowel points added/invention" view, then the distinction
between adonai and adoni disappears ...
Probably the vowel points has been discussed here a lot .. I am late to the
table.....