“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God; the Lord is One” (Dt 6:4).
Every serious Jew recites this daily as a prayer of commitment to God. In Mark 12:29, Jesus quotes this verse in response to the question, “Which is the most important commandment?” This represents a significant criticism that Jews and Muslims have toward Christians, whom they perceive as worshiping three gods instead of one. So why is it crucial to proclaim God as One?
In Hebrew, the word for “one” is echad (אֶחָד)…but more precisely, “a single entity but made up of more than one part.”1 For instance, in the Garden (Gen 2:24), Adam and Eve are described as echad (one). Jesus referenced this verse in Mark 10:8 when questioned about divorce (husband and wife become one).
Echad can also mean alone/unique or unified. The Jewish Publication Society, publishers of the Tanakh,2 accepted as the most authoritative version of the Hebrew text, says, “the best reading of this phrase (Shema) is really not one, but alone (unique)”3 (parentheticals are mine). Understanding the Shema this way transforms it from a creedal statement of monotheism into a command for absolute faithfulness to God; it highlights one’s relationship with God rather than solely focusing on His nature.
The Church has historically articulated its doctrine through creeds (Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, Chalcedonian Creed, Westminster Confession, etc.), and, of course, we need to understand the theological truths of God’s nature. But just as importantly, we recognize that Jesus’ greatest commandment is not merely a mental assent to a theological proposition but a call to completely commit oneself to the one true God, who is unique among all the gods people might worship. “The Lord our God, the Lord is alone,” above all gods.
1 David Silver (December 7, 2016). The meaning of the word Echad – One. Kehila News. https://news.kehila.org/
2 TaNaKh – Complete Hebrew Bible, including the Torah (Pentateuch), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).