Deut 6:4 is one of the most extensively
discussed lines of the Hebrew Bible. While most interpreters agree that the
first line of the Shema’ Israel is not monotheistic statement, the meaning of
the word אחד in Deut 6:4 remains controversial. In our opinion, Deut 6:4 should
be translated as “Hear, O Israel The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” J. Tigay
describes the henotheistic intent of אחד as follows: “this is not a declaration
of monotheism . . . though other peoples worship various beings and things they
consider divine . . . Israel is to recognize YHVH alone” (Deuteronomy [The
JPS Torah Commentary; Philadelphian and Jerusalem: Jewish Publication Society,
1996], 76). While early inscriptions from Kuntillet ‘Ajrud could suggest that
Deut 6:4 argued originally against multiple local version of YHWH such as יהוה תימן
(“YHWH of Teman”) and יהוה שמרן (“YHWH of Samaria), it needs to be emphasized
that these local forms of YHWH are attested only in relatively few early
inscriptions. It seems more probable that Deut 6:4 argues in a positive way
against Israelite polytheism, which is criticized by many Deuteronomistic
texts. Deut 6:4 would thus be a monolatric statement that emphasizes Israel’s
exclusive relationship with God while not denying the existence of other
deities. (Esther Eshel, Hanan Eshel, and Armin Lange, "'Hear, O Israel' in Gold An Ancient Amulet from Halbturn in Austria," Journal
of Ancient Judaism 1 [2010]: 44-45, emphasis in bold added)
