אֶחָד

“One” in Hebrew is Echad (אֶחָד), pronounced “e-KHAD.” Echad comes from the root א-ח-ד (aleph-chet-dalet), meaning 'to be one, to unite.' It can describe either a solitary unit or a composite unity — one made of multiple parts. This flexibility is key to the theological discussions around God's nature.

Echad (אֶחָד) means “One, unity, unique” in Biblical Hebrew. Echad appears over 960 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is the central declaration of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), describes composite unity (Genesis 2:24, one flesh), the first day of creation (Genesis 1:5), and God's uniqueness throughout the prophets.

Echad is pronounced “e-KHAD.” The word comes from the Hebrew root א-ח-ד.

Christians note that echad can describe composite unity (two becoming 'one flesh' in Genesis 2:24), which allows for multiple persons in one God. Hebrew has 'yachid' for absolute solitary oneness, but the Shema uses echad. Jewish scholars respond that echad simply means 'one' and context determines the nuance. Both traditions agree on the essential point: God is one, unique, and without rival.

Echad means 'one' and can describe composite unity (a cluster is 'one' cluster of grapes, Numbers 13:23). Yachid means 'only, solitary, unique' (as in Abraham's 'only son' Isaac, Genesis 22:2). The Shema's use of echad rather than yachid has fueled centuries of theological reflection on the nature of God's oneness.

When reciting the Shema, the tradition is to cover the eyes and extend the pronunciation of the dalet (d) in echad, meditating on God's sovereignty over all four directions. The extended sound declares that the one true God rules every corner of existence. It is an act of total focus, devotion, and declaration.