Introduction

Deuteronomy 6:4 is quite possibly the most well-known verse in Israel today. It is often referred to as "the Shema" because of the first Hebrew word: שְׁמַע  

However, this verse is also notoriously difficult to understand, and consequently, translate. A lot of the difficulty centers on the Hebrew word אֶחָד, which often just refers to the number "one". Does אֶחָד here refer to a quality of "the Lord", namely his "oneness" or "simplicity"? Or does it refer to some class of things that "the Lord" alone belongs to? Or something else entirely?

In order to better understand and translate this verse, Dr. Kevin Grasso dives into the Hebrew text using key linguistic tools.

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