“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Deuteronomy 6:4
What does Deuteronomy 6:4 mean?
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Deuteronomy 6:4
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This verse isn't just a simple statement of God's unity; it's also a profound declaration of relationship, meaning "The LORD is our God," emphasizing that this singular God has chosen Israel as His own. The weighty truth is that this One God is not distant but intimately connected to them, making His oneness a matter of exclusive devotion.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses is addressing the people of Israel, emphasizing a foundational truth about their God just before he lays out the laws and commands they are to follow. This declaration of God's unique oneness is the bedrock upon which all their future obedience and relationship with Him will be built. It precedes the command to love God with all their being and sets the stage for understanding the exclusivity of their devotion.
This foundational declaration is more than just a statement of monotheism. It's a powerful call to Israel, shaping their identity and their relationship with the Divine.
The Heart of the Shema
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." This ancient declaration, known as the Shema, is the cornerstone of Jewish faith. It's not merely stating that there's only one God in existence, but that the LORD God of Israel is the God, uniquely and absolutely. This singular truth was meant to define Israel's identity: they were a people chosen and set apart for this one God.
While the Shema clearly rejects polytheism, its declaration of God's oneness hints at something deeper about His very being.
The Depth of Divine Unity
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The declaration "the LORD is one" speaks volumes about the nature of God. It's a profound statement that goes beyond just stating there aren't other gods; it asserts the absolute, indivisible unity of the God of Israel.
Understand the original words
echad · Hebrew Adjective/Number
A statement asserting the absolute uniqueness and singularity of God; He is the only true God, and He is unified in His nature and purpose.
Jesus himself quotes this verse when asked about the greatest commandment, highlighting its central importance in Jewish faith and practice.
1 Corinthians 8:4The Apostle Paul echoes this monotheistic declaration, asserting that 'there is no God but one,' connecting the Old Testament confession to Christian understanding.
Isaiah 44:6This prophetic passage emphasizes God's unique identity and eternality, stating, 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god,' reinforcing the exclusivity of the LORD.
John 17:3Jesus prays, 'And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent,' directly linking the knowledge of the one true God to salvation.
1 John 5:20This New Testament verse speaks of knowing 'him who is true,' Jesus Christ, as the one true God, providing a Christological understanding of divine unity and truth.
gillDeuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"
Hear, O Israel,.... These are the words of Moses, stirring up the people to an attention to what he was about to say of this great and momentous article, the unity of God, to prevent their going into polytheism and idolatry. From one of the words here used, the Jews call this section Kiriathshema, which they oblige themselves to read twice a day, morning and evening (n); the last letter of the first word in this verse, "Shema", me…
clarkeDeuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"
Hear, O Israel - שמע ישראל יהוה אלהינו יהוה אחד shema Yisrael, Yehovah Eloheinu, Yehovah achad. These words may be variously rendered into English; but almost all possible verbal varieties in the translation (and there can be none other) amount to the same sense: "Israel, hear! Jehovah, our God, is one Jehovah;" or, "Jehovah is our God, Jehovah is one;" or, "Jehovah is our God, Jehovah alone;" or, "Jehovah is our God, Jehovah who…
This verse isn't just a simple statement of God's unity; it's also a profound declaration of relationship, meaning "The LORD is our God," emphasizing that this singular God has chosen Israel as His own. The weighty truth is that this One God is not distant but intimately connected to them, making His oneness a matter of exclusive devotion.
Moses is addressing the people of Israel, emphasizing a foundational truth about their God just before he lays out the laws and commands they are to follow. This declaration of God's unique oneness is the bedrock upon which all their future obedience and relationship with Him will be built. It precedes the command to love God with all their being and sets the stage for understanding the exclusivity of their devotion.
Moses is addressing the people of Israel, emphasizing a foundational truth about their God just before he lays out the laws and commands they are to follow. This declaration of God's unique oneness is the bedrock upon which all their future obedience and relationship with Him will be built. It precedes the command to love God with all their being and sets the stage for understanding the exclusivity of their devotion.
"“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." — This verse isn't just a simple statement of God's unity; it's also a profound declaration of relationship, meaning "The LORD is our God," emphasizing that this singular God has chosen Israel as His…
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Last reviewed October 2026