Deuteronomy 6:5

KJV

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt love {H157} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} with all thine heart {H3824}, and with all thy soul {H5315}, and with all thy might {H3966}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and you are to love ADONAI your God with all your heart, all your being and all your resources.

Berean Standard Bible

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

American Standard Version

and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 6:5 stands as a cornerstone of biblical faith, articulating the core demand for Israel's relationship with Yahweh. It calls for an absolute, comprehensive, and unwavering love for the LORD God, encompassing every facet of human existence—intellect, emotion, will, life force, and physical capacity. This verse serves as the theological bedrock for all subsequent covenant obligations, emphasizing that true obedience springs from a profound, wholehearted devotion to the one true God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 6:5 is the climax of the foundational declaration known as the Shema Israel, beginning in [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema's Declaration of God's Unity"). Following Moses' reiteration of the Ten Commandments in [Deuteronomy 5](/deuteronomy/5 "Deuteronomy 5 - The Ten Commandments Reaffirmed"), this chapter shifts to the implications of that covenant for daily life. The preceding verse, [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear, O Israel!"), establishes the singular nature of God ("The LORD our God, the LORD is one"), setting the stage for the exclusive and total devotion demanded in verse 5. The verses immediately following ([Deuteronomy 6:6-9](/deuteronomy/6-6 "Deuteronomy 6:6-9 - Teaching the Shema Diligently")) then outline the practical methods for inculcating this love and these commands into the hearts of the Israelites and their children, ensuring the perpetuation of their covenant identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses delivered this powerful sermon to the second generation of Israelites, poised on the plains of Moab, ready to enter the Promised Land. This generation had not experienced the Exodus firsthand, nor had they been present at Sinai when the covenant was first established. Therefore, Moses' address in Deuteronomy serves as a vital re-establishment and re-explanation of the covenant, preparing them for the challenges and temptations of life in Canaan, a land teeming with polytheistic cultures. The command to love God with "all" their being was a radical counter-cultural statement, demanding exclusive allegiance to Yahweh in a world where deities were often compartmentalized or worshipped alongside others. It was a call to remember God's faithfulness in delivering them from Egypt and to respond with unwavering loyalty, ensuring they would not forget the God who had chosen them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of **Covenant Loyalty**, demanding an exclusive and total devotion to the LORD as the appropriate response to His electing love and faithfulness. The emphasis on "all thine heart, and all thy soul, and all thy might" highlights **Holistic Devotion**, indicating that true faith is not merely intellectual assent or ritualistic observance but an all-encompassing commitment of one's entire being. Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for the theme of **Obedience as Love**, demonstrating that genuine love for God is intrinsically linked to adherence to His commands, as seen throughout the book, particularly in passages like [Deuteronomy 10:12-13](/deuteronomy/10-12 "Deuteronomy 10:12-13 - What the LORD Requires"). This commandment also foreshadows its later designation as the **Greatest Commandment**, forming the theological foundation for all ethical and moral living within the covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Love (Hebrew, _'ahav'_):** In biblical Hebrew, _'ahav'_ signifies more than mere emotional affection; it denotes a deep, covenantal loyalty, commitment, and active devotion. It is a volitional act of allegiance, expressed through obedience and faithfulness within a relationship. To "love" God in this context means to choose Him above all others, to align one's will with His, and to actively pursue His ways. This concept of love is reciprocal, rooted in God's prior love for His people.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _levav'_):** In ancient Near Eastern thought, the "heart" (_levav_) was considered the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. It represents the inner core of a person's being—their thoughts, intentions, desires, and decisions. To love God with all one's heart means to dedicate one's entire inner life, one's deepest affections, and one's rational faculties to Him, ensuring that all one's motivations and choices are God-centered.
* **Might (Hebrew, _me'od'_):** This word literally means "very much," "exceedingly," or "abundance." In this context, it refers to the totality of one's resources, strength, possessions, and outward capacities. It encompasses one's physical energy, material wealth, temporal efforts, and indeed, the maximum extent of one's being. To love God with all one's might implies an active, energetic, and unreserved commitment of all that one has and all that one is, in practical and tangible ways.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God":** This is the central imperative, a direct command from God to His people. It establishes the nature of the covenant relationship as one founded on love, not merely obligation or fear. The object of this love is explicitly "the LORD thy God" (Yahweh Elohim), emphasizing His unique, personal, and covenantal identity as Israel's sovereign and redeemer.
* **"with all thine heart":** This phrase specifies the first dimension of this comprehensive love. It demands an internal, intellectual, and volitional commitment. It means that one's thoughts, desires, intentions, and moral compass must be entirely devoted to God, ensuring that the inner springs of action are pure and aligned with His will.
* **"and with all thy soul":** The "soul" (nephesh) refers to one's life force, vitality, personhood, and very being. This dimension calls for an existential commitment, meaning that one's very life, breath, and individual identity are consecrated to loving God. It implies a willingness to dedicate one's entire existence, even to the point of sacrificing one's life, for God's purposes.
* **"and with all thy might":** This final phrase encompasses the external, active, and comprehensive expression of love. It signifies the dedication of all one's strength, resources, possessions, and capabilities—everything one has and is—to the service and glory of God. It ensures that this love is not merely an internal sentiment but manifests in tangible actions and a complete commitment of one's entire life.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 6:5 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Triadic Structure** or **Tricolon**, seen in the threefold repetition of "all thine heart, and all thy soul, and all thy might." This rhetorical device creates a sense of completeness, totality, and emphasis, underscoring that the demanded love is absolute and all-encompassing, leaving no part of the individual untouched. The use of **Hyperbole** is also evident, as "all" suggests an ideal, perfect devotion that humanity constantly strives for, highlighting the aspirational nature of the command. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Imperative**, a direct command that leaves no room for ambiguity, demanding an immediate and total response from the hearer. The **Parallelism** between the three phrases, each beginning with "with all thy," reinforces the holistic nature of the devotion required. Finally, the verse is an example of **Metonymy**, where "heart," "soul," and "might" stand for the entire person and all their faculties, emphasizing the indivisible nature of true devotion to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 6:5 stands as a pivotal theological statement, encapsulating the essence of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and by extension, with all His people. It reveals that the core of God's demand is not mere ritualistic adherence or external obedience, but an internal, comprehensive, and passionate love that permeates every aspect of existence. This love is the proper response to God's prior electing love and faithfulness, serving as the foundation upon which all other commandments and ethical living are built. It establishes a theological anthropology where the human being is called to integrate all their faculties—intellect, emotion, will, life, and strength—into a unified act of devotion to the one true God, thus reflecting His own singular and undivided nature.

* [Deuteronomy 10:12](/deuteronomy/10-12 "Deuteronomy 10:12 - What the LORD Requires")
* [Joshua 22:5](/joshua/22-5 "Joshua 22:5 - Joshua's Charge to Love God")
* [Psalm 119:2](/psalm/119-2 "Psalm 119:2 - Blessed are those who keep His testimonies with their whole heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 6:5 is not merely an ancient command but a timeless invitation to a radical, wholehearted devotion that challenges believers in every generation. In a world that constantly vies for our attention, affection, and allegiance, this verse calls us to a singular focus: loving the LORD our God with every fiber of our being. It reminds us that our faith is not to be compartmentalized but is meant to permeate every dimension of our lives—our thoughts, our deepest desires, our very existence, and all our actions and resources. This comprehensive love should translate into tangible expressions of obedience, worship, and service, shaping our relationships, our work, our leisure, and our stewardship. It encourages us to cultivate an intimate, passionate relationship with God, recognizing that true love for Him is the wellspring of all genuine spiritual life and ethical conduct.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you find it most challenging to love God with "all" your heart, soul, and might?**
* **How does the concept of "holistic love" for God impact your understanding of daily tasks, work, and relationships?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to more intentionally dedicate your "might" (resources, energy, time) to God's purposes?**
* **How does your understanding of God's prior love for you motivate your response to this command?**

### FAQ
**What does "heart, soul, and might" specifically refer to?**

Answer: These three terms collectively represent the totality of a human being, emphasizing a comprehensive and undivided love for God. "Heart" (Hebrew: _levav_) refers to the inner self, including intellect, will, emotions, and moral character—the seat of thought and decision. "Soul" (Hebrew: _nephesh_) denotes one's life force, vitality, and individual personhood—one's very being and existence. "Might" (Hebrew: _me'od_) signifies one's strength, resources, possessions, and the totality of one's outward capacity and energy. Together, they demand that every facet of a person—their inner life, their essence, and their external actions and resources—be fully devoted to loving God. This comprehensive language ensures that no part of a person's life is excluded from this ultimate allegiance.

**Is this command primarily about emotion, or something more?**

Answer: While emotion is certainly a component of love, the biblical concept of "love" in Deuteronomy 6:5 (Hebrew: _'ahav'_) is far more comprehensive than mere feeling. It is primarily about loyalty, commitment, and active obedience within a covenant relationship. It is a volitional choice to align oneself with God's will and to live in faithful adherence to His commands. As Jesus himself taught, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - Jesus on Love and Obedience")). Therefore, while deep affection for God is desirable and natural, the command emphasizes a practical, all-encompassing devotion that manifests in one's thoughts, actions, and entire way of life, demonstrating a profound and active allegiance to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 6:5 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus unequivocally quoted this very verse, linking it directly to the command to love one's neighbor as oneself, thereby establishing it as the foundational principle of all law and prophecy ([Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Great Commandment")). Jesus perfectly embodied this command, demonstrating a love for God with all His heart, soul, and might throughout His earthly ministry. His life was one of complete obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross, a supreme act of "might" and "soul" poured out ([Philippians 2:8](/phillipians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Moreover, through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus enables humanity to fulfill this seemingly impossible command. By the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are given new hearts and the capacity to genuinely love God in a way that was previously unattainable in their fallen state ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, Christ is not only the perfect example of this love but also the divine enabler, making it possible for His followers to increasingly live out the comprehensive devotion commanded in Deuteronomy 6:5, reflecting the very nature of God's love poured into our hearts through the Spirit ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 12:30

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

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 neighbour as thyself.

Deuteronomy 10:12

¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

Deuteronomy 30:6

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Deuteronomy 4:29

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

1 John 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.