Abstract

This paper discusses the original meaning of the Shema in the book of Deuteronomy. The central question for this study is whether the Shema constituted a confession of monotheistic faith from the beginning or if this role of the Shema is a consequence of a reinterpretation of the biblical text, due to its reception in later culture and literature. The study focuses initially on the linguistic analysis of Deut 6:4, and then proceeds to the reading of the co-text of the Shema ; it also presents the relevant data of the research on the culture of the Ancient Near East, on the History of the Religion of Israel and on the dating of Deut 6:4-5. This paper shows that the formula of Deut 6:4-5 does not deny the existence of other deities. The conclusion is that it is very unlikely that the Shema was originally a proclamation of monotheistic faith; it was rather a call to monolatry, to the cult and devotion to only one deity, the God of Israel.