Deuteronomy 6 · a question people ask
What does "The LORD is one" mean?
The verse is short: "Hear, Israel: The LORD is our God. The LORD is one" (6:4). The WEB words it differently where Jesus quotes it: "Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Mark 12:29). Christians read "one" in two main ways, each resting on verses; the two don't rule each other out. All agree that Jesus called these words, with the command to love that follows, "the first commandment" (Mark 12:29-30), and that the chapter's own answer to them is love "with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might" (6:5).
How Christians read it
Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
The LORD alone is Israel's God
Those who hold this view start from the words "our God" (6:4) and from the rest of the chapter: "You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are around you, for the LORD your God among you is a jealous God" (6:14-15), as in "You shall have no other gods before me" (5:7). They note that Zechariah says, "The LORD will be King over all the earth. In that day the LORD will be one, and his name one" (Zechariah 14:9). On this reading, "one" says that the LORD alone is the one Israel is to love and serve.
Deuteronomy 6:4 · Deuteronomy 6:14-15 · Deuteronomy 5:7 · Zechariah 14:9
There is only one God
Those who hold this view read 6:4 with what Moses said two chapters earlier: "the LORD is God. There is no one else besides him" (4:35), and "the LORD himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath. There is no one else" (4:39). When Jesus quoted 6:4, the scribe answered, "you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he" (Mark 12:32), and Jesus "saw that he answered wisely" (Mark 12:34). James writes, "You believe that God is one. You do well" (James 2:19). On this reading, "one" says that the LORD is the only God there is.
Deuteronomy 4:35 · Deuteronomy 4:39 · Mark 12:32 · Mark 12:34 · James 2:19
The verses
“Hear, Israel: The LORD is our God. The LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”
“Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.”