King James Bible
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"
This opening call demands Israel's complete attention to what follows, establishing the Shema as Judaism's central confession. The imperative "hear" (shema in Hebrew) means not just to listen but to obey, making this both a summons and a covenant responsibility. The personal name YHWH (LORD) is paired with "our God," emphasizing the covenant relationship between Israel and their deity. This phrase affirms that the God of Israel is not a distant force but their particular God who has chosen them and revealed himself to them. This declaration of divine unity became the foundation of Jewish monotheism, distinguishing Israel from surrounding polytheistic nations. The Hebrew word "echad" (one) emphasizes both God's uniqueness and his indivisible nature, rejecting any notion of multiple gods or divided loyalties.