Meaning, commentary and cross references
Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
NIV · New International Version
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
WEB · World English Bible
Hear, Israel: The LORD is our God. The LORD is one.
What does Deuteronomy 6:4 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Deuteronomy 6:4
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", meaning "hear", and the last letter of the last word in it, "Echad", meaning "one", are greater than ordinary; which seems designed to excite the attention to what is contained in this passage: the Lord our God is one Lord; the doctrine of which is, that the Lord…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Deuteronomy 6:4–16
These two verses the Jews reckon one of the choicest portions of scripture: they write it in their phylacteries, and think themselves not only obliged to say it at least twice every day, but very happy in being so obliged, having this saying among them, Blessed are we, who every morning and evening say, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. But more blessed are we if we duly consider and improve, 1. What we are here taught to believe concerning God: that Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. (1.)
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Deuteronomy 6:4
Deuteronomy 6:4, 13, 16 4. Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord. 4. Audi, Israel, Jehova Deus noster Deus unus est. 13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him. 13.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Deuteronomy 6:1–7 (WEB)
1Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land that you go over to possess; 2that you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 3Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it, that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4Hear, Israel: The LORD is our God. The LORD is one. 5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. 6These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; 7and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Cross references
- Mark 12:29–32
Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
- Isaiah 44:6
This is what the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of Armies, says: “I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.
- 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
- Isaiah 45:5–6
I am the LORD, and there is no one else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me,
- John 17:3
This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
- John 10:30
I and the Father are one.”
- Isaiah 44:8
Don’t fear, neither be afraid. Haven’t I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any other Rock.”
- Isaiah 42:8
“I am the LORD. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q9. Are there more gods than one?
There is but one only, the living and true God.