Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 6:4 mean?

Deuteronomy 6:4 calls the people of Israel to listen and recognize that the LORD, their God, is the only LORD. This verse emphasizes the unique and exclusive relationship between Israel and their God, stating clearly that there is only one LORD whom they are to worship.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land promised to them. This statement is both a declaration of faith and a reminder, setting the foundation for Israel’s belief in one God. It comes at the start of a passage that urges the people to love and obey this one God with all their heart.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 6:4

• "Hear" (שְׁמַע, shema‘): This word means more than just listening; it carries the sense of paying close attention and responding. The verse is often called the "Shema" after this word, highlighting its importance as a call to active faith.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, used twice in the verse. Its repetition underlines that the God being spoken of is not just any deity, but the specific God who made a covenant with Israel.
• "God" (אֱלֹהֵינוּ, ’elohenu): This word means "our God," making the relationship personal and communal for Israel.
• "One" (אֶחָד, ’echad): This word means "one" or "only." It stresses the singularity and uniqueness of the LORD, setting Israel’s faith apart from the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding nations.

Why Deuteronomy 6:4 matters

• Deuteronomy 6:4 clarifies that Israel’s God is not one among many, but the only LORD, which was a distinctive belief in a world full of many gods.
• This verse forms the core of Jewish daily prayer and identity, shaping how generations have understood their relationship with God.
• The verse sets up the following command to love God completely, showing that devotion to the one LORD is the foundation for all other instructions in this passage.