Many modern readers regard the Shema as an assertion of monotheism, a view that is anachronistic. In the context of ancient Israelite religion, it served as a public proclamation of exclusive loyalty to YHWH as the sole Lord of Israel . . . the v. makes not a quantitative argument (about the number of deities) but a qualitative one, about the nature of the relationship between God and Israel. Almost certainly, the original force of the v., as the medieval Jewish exegetes [noted], was to demand that Israel show exclusive loyalty to our God, YHWH--but not thereby to deny the existence of other gods. In this way, it assumes the same perspective as the first commandment of the Decalogue, which, by prohibiting the worship of other gods, presupposes their existence. (The Jewish Study Bible [2d ed.; New York: Oxford University Press, 2014], 361)
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- References to Jesus in Pagan Literature
- Dale Tuggy, 10 Apologists' Mistakes About the Trinity
- Exodus 17:15, Divine Identity and Divine Agency
- The Cost of Creation
- Easter is not named after Ishtar
- Joseph Smith, John Thomas, and the charge of Plagi...
- Quick personal reflections on the importance of th...
- The LDS view of Joseph Smith and the Catholic view...
- Licona/Carrier debate on the historicity of the Re...
- Ed Pinegar on LDS Soteriology
- Biblical versus Mormon Forgiveness?
- Refutations of the wackier elements of Anti-Cathol...
- Does Genesis 50:20 Prove Compatibilism?
- If the Father is "the only true God" does that mea...
- King David Refutes Reformed Soteriology
- Does Christ's taking away our sins/illnesses neces...
- Assessing an "argument" against LDS belief in the ...
- Exegetical Notes on John 6:54
- Richard Packham's review of Book of Mormon Book of...
- Hallelujah--An Easter Message about Jesus Christ
- Quick thoughts on positive "boasting" in Scripture
- Refuting the "Barking Dog" Argument in favour of F...
- Ceslas Spicq on the transformative nature of justi...
- The Jewish Study Bible on the Shema
- Basil: Trinitarians do not believe God is “one” nu...
- The Internet vs. Chapel Mormon (False) Dichotomy a...
- W Randall Garr on the plurality of (true) gods in ...
- James 2:18 and the "vindication"/"demonstration" u...
- Was Cornelius converted prior to Acts 10?
- Ancient Texts in support of JST Genesis 50
- "After their kind" in Genesis 1 as evidence of div...
- Thoughts on Intellectual Integrity and Intellectua...
- Galatians 1:8 and an angel appearing to Joseph Smith
- Some comments on 2 Peter 1:19-21
- The failure of Protestantism to Define the Canon A...
- 2 Kings 3:27 and the ontological existence of othe...
- A Little Hebrew is a Dangerous Thing
- RIP Stephen Webb (1961-2016)
- Latter-day Saints and the Bible
- Calvinism's inconsistent view on the death and int...
- Did Origen teach Transubstantiation?
- Mormon Scripture and David's Wives
- John Tvedtnes on the phrase, "A Visionary Man"
- 2 Peter 3:5 and creatio ex materia
- Notes on Philippians 2:6-8
- Hegesippus vs. the perpetual virginity of Mary
- 2 Peter 1:9 vs. Reformed Theology
- How many women were at the cross?
- Birthday Books
- Marianne Meye Thompson on John 19:30
- James 5:14-15 in Early Christianity
- Comments on Hebrews 13:8
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