📖 Biblical Definition
The Shema is the great Jewish confession from Deuteronomy 6:4-9, named from its opening Hebrew word shema ("hear"): "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children." Recited twice daily by observant Jews (morning and evening), it is the most foundational Old Testament confession of monotheism and total love. Christ quoted it as "the first commandment of all" (Mark 12:29-30). Every Jewish-Christian convert grew up reciting it.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Deut 6:4-9 great Jewish confession; greatest commandment per Christ.
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Hebrew shema (hear) is the opening word and standard name of the great Jewish confession from Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Recited twice daily by observant Jews (morning and evening), bound on hand and forehead in the tefillin, written in the doorpost-mezuzah. Christ named it the greatest commandment when asked (Mark 12:29-30, quoting Deut 6:4-5 and adding Lev 19:18). The confession unites two emphases: (1) monotheism — "the LORD our God is one LORD"; and (2) whole-being love — heart, soul, might (later expanded with mind in the gospels). The Shema is foundational to Jewish identity and Christian devotion.
📖 Key Scripture
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 — "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
Mark 12:29-30 — "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
Matthew 22:37-38 — "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Either treated as merely-Jewish ("Old Testament law") or treated as feel-good love-language (without monotheism); both halves are essential.
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Two opposite errors: (1) the Shema is merely-Jewish OT law not relevant to Christians; (2) only the love-half matters, the monotheism-half is too sectarian. Christ refuted both: He named the Shema the greatest commandment for His followers, AND He insisted on both halves — the LORD is one AND love Him with all of you.
Recover both halves: monotheism-and-love. The exclusive God receives whole-being love. Pluralism without exclusivity, or law without love, both miss the Shema.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew shema.
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['Hebrew', 'H8085', 'shama', 'to hear, listen, obey']
['Hebrew', 'H259', 'echad', 'one, unified']
Usage
"Hear, O Israel: the LORD is one."
"Greatest commandment per Christ."
"Monotheism + whole-being love."