Love and the Two Great Commandments

Listen and Obey

In Hebrew, the word for "To Listen" ( lish-moh-ah  לִשְׁמֹעַ ) and the word for "To Obey"
( leh-hee-shah-may-ah  לְהִישָּׁמֵעַ ) have the same Root Verb ( sheh-mah  ש מ ע ). This is the basis on which these words, and various other words, are built. So they are connected and related to each other.

Therefore, in order to Obey ELohim, we must learn how to Listen to His Voice. Then we must carefully, accurately and diligently, understand all that He is saying, teaching, instructing and / or commanding us to do.

This then leads to the Hebrew word for "To Love" ( leh-eh-hohv  לֶאֱהוֹב ), which has the Root Verb ( ah-hah-vah  א ה ב ). In the Hebrew language, culture, mindset and way of life, "To Love" is not merely a feeling or an emotion. The way that Hebrew children show genuine love for their father, is by Listening to and Obeying the words of their father. Thus, in the Bible, the way that we, as ( Hebrew ) children of ELohim, show and demonstrate our love for Him - means and requires, that we "Listen and Obey" all the words of ELohim the Father ( all of the Scriptures ). This includes any personal instructions and commands that He gives to us.

In other words, according to the Hebrew language, culture, mindset and way of life, expressing genuine and authentic love towards ELohim, and Messiah Yeshúa - is not merely saying things such as: "I love You God", "I love You Lord", or "I love You Yeshúa / Jesus".

Instead, love is a decision of the will of the heart, to carefully, diligently and accurately,  Listen to and Obey - all of the words, teachings, commandments, ways, principles, truths and ( personal ) instructions of Yehováh ELohim.

In contrast, in the Greek language, culture, mindset and way of life, "love" is an emotion or feeling. There are four ( 4 ) main words in Greek which identify and communicate various kinds of love. Three ( 3 ) of these are used in the Bible, as explained below:

Used in the Bible:

Agape ( ah-gáh-pēh  αγάπη ) - This is the highest form of love, which usually includes being unconditional and selfless. It is pure and sacrificial love. It is also intentional love, because it means that one is willfully choosing to have and express this kind of love for another.

The actual translation is "affection". This kind of love may produce emotions, but does not originate from them. Rather, it is the decision of the will of the heart to love in this way. In other words, it is given because someone chooses and wills to do so. This word is used to describe the perfect love of our Creator Yehováh ELohim for humankind, and more specifically, for His redeemed children who are authentic believers in His Son, the Messiah Yeshúa.

Phileo ( phih-leh-ōh  φιλεώ ) - This type of love is used to describe the affectionate regard and / or friendship between individuals who have a mutual connection or association, that is outside of a family relationship. This would be among close companions or best friends. It includes both loyalty and community, and requires virtue, equality, mutual respect and familiarity. It is often based on common or shared experiences. In the Scriptures, this identifies brotherly or sisterly love that should exist between fellow believers.

Eros ( éh-rōhs  ἔρως ) - This is the form of love that expresses passionate and romantic love between a man and a woman. It includes desire, attraction and sexual relationship. It is based on the physical and emotional aspects of love, such as between a husband and a wife.

Not Used Directly in the Bible:

Storge ( stor-gēy  στοργή ) - This type of love is the natural affection and empathy between parents and their children, and among siblings in the family. It is generally specific to family relationships. However, it might express love for a country or enthusiasm for a sports team.

First Great Commandment

Therefore, the entire Bible can actually be summed up in this way: Listen and Obey.

The Scriptures clearly teach this critical foundational spiritual principle and truth.

The First Great Commandment ( Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ; Matthew 22:34-40 ), is known in Hebrew as "The Shemah" ( sheh-mah  שְׁמַע ). The first word in Verse 4 of the passage begins with this very word:

Hear ( sheh-mah  שְׁמַע ) O IsraEL Yehováh our ELohim Yehováh is One.

שְׁמַע  יִשְׂרָאֵל  יְהוָה  אֱלֹהֵינוּ  יְהוָה  אֶחָד

It actually means: Listen, with the Intent of

  • all of your Heart ( Spirit ),

  • and with all of your Soul ( Mind / Thoughts and Emotions )

  • and with all of your Strength ( Physical Being )

- to Obey ( carefully, diligently, accurately and completely ) - all of the words that Yehováh
our ELohim is teaching, instructing, commanding and requiring us to do. And this is exactly what the very next verse in this passage then says.

Verse 5 says:

[ And ] You shall love ( veh-ah-hahv-tah  וְאָהַבְתָּ ) Yehováh your ELohim,
with all your heart, [ and ] with all your soul, and with all your strength.

וְאָהַבְתָּ  אֵת  יְהוָה  אֱלֹהֶיךָ  בְּכָל  לְבָבְךָ  וּבְכָל  נַפְשְׁךָ  וּבְכָל  מְאֹדֶךָ

Yeshúa then confirms and explains this, three ( 3 ) times ( as three witnesses ). These verses are found in the Gospel of John.

IF you love Me, { then } keep ( obey ) My commandments. (John 14:15).

אִם  אַתֶּם  אוֹהֲבִים  אוֹתִי  הֲרֵי  שֶׁתִּשְׁמְרוּ  אֶת  מִצְווֹתַי

He who has My commandments and keeps ( obeys ) them, it is he who loves Me.
And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.
(John 14:21)

הַמַּחֲזִיק  בְּמִצְווֹתַי  וְשׁוֹמֵר  אוֹתָן  הוּא  הָאוֹהֵב  אוֹתִי
 וְהָאוֹהֵב  אוֹתִי  אָבִי  יֹאהַב  אוֹתוֹ  גַּם  אֲנִי  אֹהַב  אוֹתוֹ  וַאֲגַלֶּה  לוֹ אֶת  עַצְמִי

Yeshúa answered and said to him, IF anyone loves Me, { then } he will keep ( obey ) My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
(John 14:23).

הֵשִׁיב  לוֹ  יֵשׁוּעַ  מִי  שֶׁאוֹהֵב  אוֹתִי  יִשְׁמֹר  אֶת  דְּבָרִי  וְאָבִי  יֹאהַב  אוֹתוֹ  גַּם  נָבוֹא  אֵלָיו  וְנִשְׁכֹּן  אֶצְלוֹ

These verses can be summarized in the following way:

IF you Love Me, { then } you will Obey Me - My Commandments, and My Word.


Let's notice the direct connection between Love and Obey. This is what we explained above:

... in the Bible, the way that we, as Hebrew children of ELohim { Native-Born Hebrews and Grafted-In Hebrews / Christians }, show and demonstrate our love for ELohim, is that we  "Listen to and Obey" all His words.

Yeshúa also gave various teachings, in parables, which reveal and teach the very same thing. For instance, this is explained in the Parable of the Two Sons. (Matthew 21:28-32).

Now let's go back to the First Great Commandment ( sheh-mah  שְׁמַע ; "The Shemah" - "Listen and Obey" ) (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). It talks about

  • our Heart ( Spirit )

  • our Soul ( Mind / Thoughts and Emotions )

  • and our Strength ( Physical being )

Most believers think that we are physical beings, with a soul and a spirit. However, we are actually spiritual beings, with a soul and living temporarily in a physical body here on earth.

There are some incredible mysteries and astonishing revelations hidden in the Hebrew words of the Creation concerning how The Man ( hah-Ah-dahm  הָאָדָם ; "The Adam" ) and The Woman ( hah-ih-shah  הָאִשָּׁה ; Eve / Chah-vah  חַוָּה ) were actually formed and made, in the Garden of Eden. None of the English translations show and reveal these things. They are mind-boggling.

These incredible mysteries and astounding revelations are explained, in great details, from the Hebrew words, in Book-1, "Born Again Christian is Born From Above Hebrew". You will learn and understand exactly why Yeshúa said the following to the Hebrew ( Jewish ) Apostle Peter ( Shimon Kefa ):

"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My assembly ( "church" ). ( Matthew 16:13-19 , Verse 18 ).

וְגַם  אֲנִי  אוֹמֵר  לְךָ  כִּי  אַתָּה  כֵּיפָא  וְעַל  הַצּוּר  הַזֶּה  אֶבְנֶה  אֶת  קְהִלָּתִי

Now let's compare Heart ( Spirit ), Soul ( Thoughts and Emotions ), Strength ( Physical being ) to what the Hebrew ( Jewish ) Apostle Paul wrote:

Now may ELohim of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit,
soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Master ( "Lord" ) Yeshúa the Messiah (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

יְקַדֵּשׁ  אֶתְכֶם  אֱלֹהֵי  הַשָּׁלוֹם קְדֻשָּׁה  שְׁלֵמָה
וְתִשָּׁמֵר  שְׁלֵמוּת  רוּחֲכֶם  וְנַפְשְׁכֶם  וְגוּפְכֶם  לִהְיוֹת  בְּלִי  דֹּפִי  בְּבוֹא  אֲדוֹנֵנוּ  יֵשׁוּעַ  הַמָּשִׁיחַ

Do you now see how this is a direct reference to "The Shemah"? (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
He is teaching what Moses was previously given to write and teach us.

In fact, virtually everything that is written in the "NT", by the Hebrew ( Jewish ) Apostles,
is connected to, related to, or based on:

  • something which Moses and the Hebrew Prophets had already written, OR,

  • what Yeshúa had already taught, which is itself based on what He previously gave to
    Moses and the Hebrew Prophets to write and teach.

Second Great Commandment

Let's look at the Second Great Commandment ( Leviticus 19:18 ; Matthew 22:34-40 ).

... but ( and ) you shall Love ( veh-ah-hahv-tah  וְאָהַבְתָּ ) your neighbor as yourself:
I am Yehováh.

וְאָהַבְתָּ  לְרֵעֲךָ  כָּמוֹךָ  אֲנִי  יְהוָה

Let's notice that the First Great Commandment and the Second Great Commandment  both begin with the same Hebrew verb: and you shall Love ( veh-ah-hahv-tah  וְאָהַבְתָּ ). There is a very good reason for this.


1. The Two Great Commandments Summarize and Categorize the Ten Commandments.
They do not replace them.

  • The First Great Commandment summarizes Commandments 1 , 2 , 3 and 4.

  • The Second Great Commandment summarizes Commandments 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 & 10,
    which start with honoring our father and our mother.

Consider a line going North to South ( Top to Bottom ). Commandments 1 through 4
are about our Vertical  relationship with ELohim.

Now picture a line going East to West ( Right to Left ). Commandments 5 through 10
are about our Horizontal relationships with Others, starting with our own Parents.

Now put those two lines together. It forms a picture. What do you see?

It forms the Cross. Did you ever notice this before? And the cross just so happens to be the actual form of the ancient Hebrew Pictorial as well as the ancient Hebrew Paleo Letter - Tav
( written at a 45-degree angle ). It means "Covenant".

Now look at the cover of Book-4 ( with the picture of the Rib Cage ). You will see the Hebrew Letter Tav in our anatomy. Are you astonished? There are even more incredible mysteries and astounding revelations in that book, and in the other books as well.

So what does this Tav / Cross mean? What does it reveal to us? It is actually very simple, yet so profound. We broke the covenant of ELohim, by disobeying His commandments. This is what is sin. (1 John 3:4). Thus the Messiah died on a Tree / Cross / Tav ( Covenant ) - to restore us to a Covenantal Relationship with ELohim the Father. Is this incredible? Hebrew is a language of word pictures, that tell stories, and teach spiritual truths. 


2. The Ten Commandments then Summarize and Categorize all of the Commandments (613)  that are in the "Law" ( Toh-rah  תּוֹרָה ; Toráh ; means: "Teaching" and "Instruction" ). They do not replace them.

The Hebrew ( Jewish ) Apostle Paul wrote, Four ( 4 ) Times - that Love is the fulfillment of the  "Law" ( Toh-rah  תּוֹרָה ; Toráh ). By the way, there is an incredible mystery about why he wrote this particular statement Four ( 4 ) Times. It relates to the Four Gospels going to the Four Corners of the earth, and various other instances of the pattern of Four ( 4 ) used in the Scriptures. This is explained, in details, with many more examples, in Book-1, "Born Again Christian is Born From Above Hebrew".


Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8).

אַל  תִּהְיוּ  חַיָּבִים  דָּבָר  לְאִישׁ  מִלְּבַד  אַהֲבַת  הַזּוּלַת  כִּי  הָאוֹהֵב  אֶת  הַזּוּלַת  קִיֵּם  אֶת  הַתּוֹרָה


... and if there is any other commandment, all are summed up in this saying, namely,
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Romans 13:9).

וְכָל  מִצְוָה  אַחֶרֶת  כְּלוּלוֹת  בַּמַּאֲמָר  וְאָהַבְתָּ  לְרֵעֲךָ  כָּמוֹךָ  ...


Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
(Romans 13:10).

הָאַהֲבָה  אֵינָהּ  גּוֹרֶמֶת  רָעָה  לַזּוּלַת  לָכֵן  הָאַהֲבָה  הִיא קִיּוּם  הַתּוֹרָה  בִּמְלוֹאָהּ


For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this:
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14).

הֲרֵי  כָּל  הַתּוֹרָה  כְּלוּלָה  בְּמַאֲמָר  אֶחָד  -  וְאָהַבְתָּ  לְרֵעֲךָ  כָּמוֹךָ


This does not mean that the commandments were allegedly done away with or nailed to the cross. These beliefs and doctrines, unfortunately, are due to wrong, incorrect and false translations ( in various verses ), from the Greek text, to English versions ( and then to other languages ).

Rather, it teaches that the Goal, Purpose, Motive and Intent of the commandments - is accomplished, when we do them, by walking in love, and in the rest of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

In other words, the Heart of each, and all of the commandments - is that we walk in the Fruit of the Spirit, with ELohim, and with each other ( our brothers and sisters in Christ / in Messiah, first and foremost ).

The Greek word which is used here ( and also elsewhere in the "NT" ), that is translated as "fulfilled" ( play-roh'-oh  πληρόω ), does not mean that something is ended, done away with, completed, abolished, voided or canceled. Rather, it means to "to fill up { to do } to the full ( to the fullness / to the extent ) what something is capable of."

In other words, "to fill { to do } completely, with all of your Heart, Soul and S

trength, to the highest capacity," with the help and power of the Holy Spirit. In this way, then, the Fruit of the Spirit is always being manifested in what we are saying, thinking, believing and doing. Does this make these verses more understandable now?

The list of the Fruit of the Spirit contains nine ( 9 ) aspects. It is only the Holy Spirit who can produce the Fruit of the Spirit in us, so that we bear and manifest it, in our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, actions, deeds and works. That list just so happens to begin with Love.

Therefore, the Fruit of the Spirit connects to the Two Great Commandments:

  • to Love Yehováh our ELohim

  • to Love our neighbor as ourselves

And as we explained above, both of these commandments, begin with the Hebrew verb:
and you shall Love ( veh-ah-hahv-tah  וְאָהַבְתָּ ) ... with the Fruit of the Spirit.

Here is another important concept to learn and understand about the Hebrew language, culture, mindset and way of life. When a list is given in the Scriptures, any other mention or reference to any part of that list, generally refers to the entire list. It is not necessary to repeat, name or identify - all the items in that list again.

What does this mean? For instance, the Fruit of the Spirit consists of nine ( 9 ) aspects. That list begins with Love. Therefore, in general, any mention or reference to Love elsewhere in the Scriptures, includes all the other aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Here is an example. Yeshua said to His disciples ( tahl-mee-deem ; taught ones ):
"love one another, as I have loved you". (John 13:34-35). That means we are to relate
to each other, and treat each other, with all the aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Do you see and understand how this is what it means to be "filling { doing } completely
( obeying ), with all of our Hearts, Souls and Strength, to the highest capacity"?