Deu 6:4-5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Deut 6:4-5: 6:4-5 Listen (Hebrew shema‘ ): The Shema is the fundamental statement of Israel’s faith. Jesus described these verses as the greatest of the commandments (Matt 22:34-39 ; Mark 12:28-31 ; Luke 10:25-28 ), a sentiment shared by ancient and modern Judaism. The rabbi Hillel (first century BC ) spoke of the Shema as the central theological idea of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament), calling the rest mere commentary. 6:4 The Lord is our God, the Lord alone: Only God is worthy of worship (5:7 ).

a6:4-5►

bMatt 22:34-39►

cMark 12:28-31►

dLuke 10:25-28►

e6:4►

f5:7►

g6:5►

hMatt 22:37►

iMark 12:30►

jLuke 10:27►

‏ Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Summary for Deut 6:4-5: 6:4-5 ^a Listen (Hebrew shema‘): The Shema is the fundamental statement of Israel’s faith. Jesus described these verses as the greatest of the commandments (Matt 22:34-39 ^b; Mark 12:28-31 ^c; Luke 10:25-28 ^d), a sentiment shared by ancient and modern Judaism. The rabbi Hillel (first century BC) spoke of the Shema as the central theological idea of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament), calling the rest mere commentary. 6:4 ^e The Lord is our God, the Lord alone: Only God is worthy of worship (5:7 ^f).
6:5 ^g love the Lord: See study note on Josh 23:11.

• The words heart, ... soul, and ... strength represent the intellect, the will, the emotions, the spirituality, and the physical being—all that a person is and can do for God. This commandment is the core of God’s covenant with Israel (see Jesus’ comments in Matt 22:37 ^h; Mark 12:30 ⁱ; Luke 10:27 ^j).