What is Shema?
The Hebrew word שמע (shema) is often translated as "hear" or "listen," but this translation misses something crucial. In Hebrew, shema means much more than passive hearing—it means active listening with the intent to obey. When God says "shema," He's calling for attentive listening that leads to action.
Shema in a Nutshell
Hebrew: שמע (shema)
Transliteration: shema
Basic Meaning: Hear, listen, obey
Root: ש.מ.ע (sh.m.a) - "to hear, to listen, to obey"
The Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) is the most important prayer in Judaism. It begins with "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" and calls for wholehearted love and obedience to God. It's recited twice daily by observant Jews and serves as a declaration of faith and commitment.
Etymology and Root Meaning
To truly understand shema, we need to explore its root meaning. The word comes from the Hebrew root ש.מ.ע (sh.m.a), which means "to hear," "to listen," or "to obey."
Words from the ש.מ.ע Root
| Hebrew Word | Transliteration | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| שמע | shema | hear, listen, obey | Active listening with obedience |
| שמיעה | shemi'ah | hearing, listening | The act of hearing |
| משמע | mashma | meaning, significance | What is heard/understood |
This root meaning helps us understand why shema means more than just hearing. In Hebrew thought, true hearing always includes understanding and response. When you "shema," you don't just hear with your ears—you understand with your mind and respond with your actions. Hearing and obeying are inseparable.
Understanding the Root
Think of shema like a parent calling a child: "Listen to me!" The parent isn't just asking the child to hear the words—they're asking for attention, understanding, and obedience. Shema is hearing that leads to action.
Biblical Usage of Shema
Shema appears throughout the Hebrew Bible, especially in contexts where God calls His people to listen and obey. Let's explore how it's used in Scripture:
The Shema Prayer
The most famous use of shema is in the Shema prayer, the most important prayer in Judaism.
Deuteronomy 6:4: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד
Transliteration: Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad
Translation: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one"
Shema as Obedience
Throughout Scripture, shema is used to call for obedience, not just hearing.
Deuteronomy 6:3: וְשָׁמַעְתָּ יִשְׂרָאֵל וְשָׁמַרְתָּ לַעֲשׂוֹת
Transliteration: Veshama'ta Yisrael veshamarta la'asot
Translation: "Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them"
Notice how "hear" (shema) is immediately connected to "do" (asot). Hearing leads to action.
Shema as Attention
Shema calls for focused attention and understanding.
Isaiah 1:10: שִׁמְעוּ דְבַר יְהוָה
Transliteration: Shim'u devar Adonai
Translation: "Hear the word of the LORD"
Layers of Meaning
Shema has multiple layers of meaning that build upon each other. Understanding these layers helps us grasp the full biblical concept of hearing and obedience.
👂 Physical Hearing
The basic level—hearing with the ears, receiving sound waves. But in Hebrew, this is just the beginning.
Example: "Hear, O Israel" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
🧠 Understanding
Comprehending what is heard, grasping the meaning and significance of the words.
Example: "Hear and understand" (Matthew 15:10)
💝 Attention
Focused listening, giving full attention to what is being said, not just hearing in the background.
Example: "Hear the word of the LORD" (Isaiah 1:10)
✅ Obedience
The ultimate goal—responding to what is heard with action, living out what is understood.
Example: "Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them" (Deuteronomy 6:3)
Key Biblical Passages
Let's examine some of the most important passages where shema appears in Scripture, understanding how each reveals a different aspect of this profound concept.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - The Shema Prayer
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל (Shema Yisrael) - "Hear, O Israel"
יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד (Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad) - "The LORD our God, the LORD is one"
וְאָהַבְתָּ (Ve'ahavta) - "and you shall love"
This is the most important prayer in Judaism. It begins with shema—a call to hear and obey—and immediately follows with the command to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Hearing leads to loving obedience.
Deuteronomy 6:3 - Hear and Do
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ (Veshama'ta) - "and you shall hear"
וְשָׁמַרְתָּ לַעֲשׂוֹת (Veshamarta la'asot) - "and you shall be careful to do"
This verse shows the connection between shema (hearing) and asot (doing). True hearing always leads to action.
Mark 12:29-30 - Jesus Quotes the Shema
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל (Shema Yisrael) - "Hear, O Israel"
וְאָהַבְתָּ (Ve'ahavta) - "and you shall love"
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus quoted the Shema, showing its central importance. The greatest command begins with shema—hearing that leads to wholehearted love and obedience.
Practical Application
Understanding the full meaning of shema transforms how we approach listening to God and obeying His word. Here are practical ways to apply this biblical concept:
Practicing Shema in Daily Life
- Listen actively to God's Word: When reading Scripture, don't just read—listen with the intent to understand and obey
- Give full attention: Set aside distractions and focus fully when God speaks through His Word, prayer, or circumstances
- Understand before acting: Take time to understand what God is saying before responding
- Obey immediately: When you understand what God is calling you to do, respond with action
- Love with all your heart: The Shema calls for wholehearted love—love God with everything you are
- Teach others: Share what you've heard and learned, teaching others to shema as well
The Shema Prayer in Practice
Traditional Jewish practice includes reciting the Shema twice daily (morning and evening):
Morning and Evening: Recite the Shema as a declaration of faith and commitment
With Focus: Give full attention when reciting, not just saying words
With Understanding: Reflect on the meaning—God is one, and we must love Him completely
With Action: Let the Shema guide your actions throughout the day
Experience Shema in Your Bible Study
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Subscribe to Hebrew NewsletterFrequently Asked Questions
What does shema mean in Hebrew?
Shema means "hear" or "listen" in Hebrew, but its meaning goes far beyond passive hearing. It means active listening with the intent to obey. When God says "shema," He's calling for attentive listening that leads to action. Hearing and obeying are inseparable in Hebrew thought.
What is the Shema prayer?
The Shema prayer is the most important prayer in Judaism, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It begins with "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" and calls for wholehearted love and obedience to God. It's recited twice daily by observant Jews and serves as a declaration of faith and commitment.
Why is the Shema prayer so important?
The Shema is considered the most important prayer because it declares the oneness of God and calls for wholehearted devotion. It's the foundation of Jewish faith and practice, emphasizing that God is one and that we must love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. Jesus quoted it as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-30).
How is shema different from just hearing?
Shema involves more than just hearing sounds. It includes understanding what is heard, giving focused attention, and responding with action. In Hebrew, true hearing always includes obedience. You haven't truly "heard" until you've understood and responded.
How can I practice shema in my daily life?
Practice shema by: 1) Listening actively to God's Word with the intent to understand and obey, 2) Giving full attention when God speaks, 3) Taking time to understand before acting, 4) Obeying immediately when you understand what God is calling you to do, 5) Loving God with all your heart, soul, and strength, and 6) Teaching others what you've learned.
What does "Hear, O Israel" mean?
"Hear, O Israel" (Shema Yisrael) is a call to the entire nation of Israel—and by extension, to all God's people—to listen attentively and obey. It's not just a request to hear words, but a call to wholehearted devotion, understanding, and action. The phrase introduces the most important declaration of faith: "The LORD our God, the LORD is one."