Deuteronomy 6:5
What does Deuteronomy 6:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:5 means
Building upon the declaration of God's oneness, this verse issues the preeminent command: to love Jehovah God with their entire being—heart, soul, and might. "Heart" signifies their intellect, will, and affections; "soul" encompasses their very life and inner person; and "might" refers to all their resources, strength, and possessions. This command demands an all-encompassing, passionate, and exclusive devotion to God, leaving no part of their being uncommitted to Him. It is a total love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Lord your God is to be loved with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and thou hast loved Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and thou shalt love Jehovah thyGod with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength.
Context
Having established God's singular identity in verse 4, this verse presents the natural and necessary response to such a unique God: an all-consuming love. This command to love sets the standard for all subsequent directives. Verses 6-9 then detail how this love, expressed through God's words, is to be internalized, taught, and visibly integrated into daily life, ensuring it remains central.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 11:13
And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love Jehovah your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
- Mark 12:33
and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
- Deuteronomy 30:6
And Jehovah thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
- Luke 10:27
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
- 1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
- Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
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