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Devotional for Today
The Shema
Our verse is called the Shema’. We should note three peculiarities in this passage.
First, it refers to YHWH (“Lord”), ignoring the many other names that God went by. In fact, YHWH appears twice in the passage.
Second, the word translated “one” (’echād) can also mean “alone”—with the sense of “only.”
Third, often Hebrew grammar doesn’t require the verb “to be.” So a sentence might literally read “I want a firefighter when I grow up.” The reader or translator supplies the verb: “I want to be a firefighter when I grow up.” (In the KJV such supplied words are printed in italics to alert readers that the italicized words are not in the original text.)
With these three points in mind, it’s grammatically possible to translate the verse with four variations: (1) “YHWH [is] our God; YHWH [is] one” (see NASB); (2) “YHWH [is] our God, YHWH alone” (see NRSV and NLT); (3) YHWH our God [is] one YHWH (see NIV and RSV); (4) YHWH our God, YHWH [is] one” (see NKJV).
According to Moshe Weinfeld (Deuteronomy 1-11, Anchor Bible), the first two options don’t fit the grammatical patterns of Deuteronomy and so would be uncharacteristic uses in their present context. The last option, he says, is awkward, which leaves the third rendering as making the most sense: “YHWH our God [is] one YHWH.”
Traditionally, the verse is taken as the foundation for monotheism, understanding ’echād in a strictly numerical sense, and so it’s translated as “one.” On this reading, which is used in an exclusive way, it singles out YHWH as the sole deity. However, it can also be understood as referring to God’s nature—He is an undivided unity. Theologians can thus speak of God’s person being “simple.”
Trinitarians need to decide if the Shema’ with its use of ’echād rules out worshipping a God consisting of three persons. Apparently not. Genesis 2:24 indicates that in marriage husband and wife become one (’echād) flesh. Genesis 11:6 and 34:16 refer to a crowd of people being one (’echād). So it’s possible for the word to refer to the unity that exists between multiple persons. Thus, we don’t think our belief in the triune God disagrees with the Shema’.
Richard W. Coffen focuses on details in Scripture that provide
important glimpses into who God is and what He is really like. By
examining these “snapshots” of God’s interaction with humanity, we
discover nuances of His character that help us form a true picture of
our Creator. Some details may be pleasant and familiar; others may be
surprising.
More Information
Our verse is called the Shema’. We should note three peculiarities in this passage.
First, it refers to YHWH (“Lord”), ignoring the many other names that God went by. In fact, YHWH appears twice in the passage.
Second, the word translated “one” (’echād) can also mean “alone”—with the sense of “only.”
Third, often Hebrew grammar doesn’t require the verb “to be.” So a sentence might literally read “I want a firefighter when I grow up.” The reader or translator supplies the verb: “I want to be a firefighter when I grow up.” (In the KJV such supplied words are printed in italics to alert readers that the italicized words are not in the original text.)
With these three points in mind, it’s grammatically possible to translate the verse with four variations: (1) “YHWH [is] our God; YHWH [is] one” (see NASB); (2) “YHWH [is] our God, YHWH alone” (see NRSV and NLT); (3) YHWH our God [is] one YHWH (see NIV and RSV); (4) YHWH our God, YHWH [is] one” (see NKJV).
According to Moshe Weinfeld (Deuteronomy 1-11, Anchor Bible), the first two options don’t fit the grammatical patterns of Deuteronomy and so would be uncharacteristic uses in their present context. The last option, he says, is awkward, which leaves the third rendering as making the most sense: “YHWH our God [is] one YHWH.”
Traditionally, the verse is taken as the foundation for monotheism, understanding ’echād in a strictly numerical sense, and so it’s translated as “one.” On this reading, which is used in an exclusive way, it singles out YHWH as the sole deity. However, it can also be understood as referring to God’s nature—He is an undivided unity. Theologians can thus speak of God’s person being “simple.”
Trinitarians need to decide if the Shema’ with its use of ’echād rules out worshipping a God consisting of three persons. Apparently not. Genesis 2:24 indicates that in marriage husband and wife become one (’echād) flesh. Genesis 11:6 and 34:16 refer to a crowd of people being one (’echād). So it’s possible for the word to refer to the unity that exists between multiple persons. Thus, we don’t think our belief in the triune God disagrees with the Shema’.
From the Devotional: Snapshots of God
Richard W. Coffen focuses on details in Scripture that provide
important glimpses into who God is and what He is really like. By
examining these “snapshots” of God’s interaction with humanity, we
discover nuances of His character that help us form a true picture of
our Creator. Some details may be pleasant and familiar; others may be
surprising.
More Information
