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what did 'heart, soul, and might' mean to ancient israelites in their context?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Deuteronomy 6:5

“You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”

This verse is part of the Shema, a central declaration of faith for ancient Israel, found in the book of Deuteronomy. It was spoken by Moses to the Israelites as they stood on the border of the promised land, about to enter. He was reminding them of their covenant with God and how they were to live in that relationship.

What does it mean to offer ourselves completely, without division, in our relationship with God and others?

Then — the setting

Deuteronomy, likely written or compiled in the 7th century BCE (though reflecting traditions from centuries earlier), was addressed to the Israelite community on the cusp of entering the land of Canaan. The phrase 'heart, soul, and might' encapsulates a holistic demand for allegiance and devotion to Yahweh, distinguishing Israel's worship from the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations. It wasn't merely about outward ritual but an internal, comprehensive orientation of their entire being. This passage, the Shema, became a foundational creed and daily recitation for Jewish people, underscoring their unique covenant with God.

Across the Testaments

In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 6:5 lays the groundwork for Israel's covenant relationship with God, demanding exclusive and total devotion. It is a call to monotheism and loyalty amidst a polytheistic world. The New Testament, particularly in the Gospels (Matthew 22:37-38, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27), sees Jesus affirming and elevating this command as the 'greatest' of all. He connects it directly to the second greatest command: 'love your neighbor as yourself,' thereby not diminishing but deepening the implications of this total devotion, extending it into ethical action towards others. The New Testament doesn't replace the Old Testament's demand but shows how true love for God naturally overflows into love for humanity, often through the lens of God's saving work in Christ.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus quotes this verse as the 'first and greatest commandment,' connecting it to love for neighbor.
Joshua 22:5
Joshua later echoes this command for the next generation, showing its enduring importance.
Mark 12:30
Mark's gospel expands the command to include 'mind,' suggesting a comprehensive intellectual devotion as well.

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