Bible Dictionary
LADY
Lady may mean a mistress or noble woman in the Old Testament, and may mean princess in certain passages. In 2 John it translates a Greek term that some interpret as a proper name.
Definition
Lady may mean mistress, noble woman, or princess. In 2 John it translates a Greek word that some interpreters understand as a proper name.
Biblical Usage
The word means “mistress” in Isaiah 47:5,7, and “princess” in the relevant passages of Judges and Esther according to the Revised Version in Esther. In 2 John it is used in the address to the chosen lady, though some regard the word as a proper name.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>la'-di: This word should be taken in the sense of "mistress" in Isa 47:5,7 (Hebrew gebhereth) (so the American Standard Revised Version). In Jud 5:29; Eat 1:18 it is the translation of another Hebrew word (sarah), best rendered "princess" (so the Revised Version (British and American) in Esther, but not in Judges). In 2 Joh 1:1,5 it is the translation of kuria, which some interpreters regard as a proper name.</p><p>See CYRIA; JOHN, THE EPISTLES OF; ELECT LADY.</p>