The Hebrew word for hear or listen, *shama'* (H8085), appears over a thousand times in the Old Testament. It is the everyday term for hearing, simply meaning to perceive sound with the ears. However, its meaning extends far beyond this basic sense to include listening attentively, paying attention, understanding, and obeying. In certain contexts, it even carries a technical sense of hearing a case in a courtroom, implying examining or judging. This broad range of meanings allows *shama'* to be translated as "to heed," "to understand," or directly as "to obey" when the context warrants such interpretation. The word encapsulates not just the act of hearing, but a deeper engagement that often leads to action and obedience.

The concept of hearing, represented by the Hebrew word *shama'* (H8085), is a central theme in the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizing the importance of listening to God and His instructions. This word appears approximately 70 times in Deuteronomy, translated as "hear" 40 times, "listen" 12 times, "take heed" 14 times, "give ear" 3 times, and "perceive" once, underscoring God's persistent call to pay attention. Often, these instances carry the weight of divine imperatives, urging focus and understanding with commands like "pay attention" and "concentrate." In Deuteronomy 4:1, the first positive use of "listen" appears, where Moses implores the Israelites to heed the statutes and judgments that lead to life, contrasting earlier negative instances where failure to listen resulted in dire consequences. Throughout Deuteronomy, the failure to hear God's voice led to rebellion and death in the wilderness, as seen in accounts where the Israelites' disobedience caused their bodies to be strewn across the desert. Had they listened and understood God's instructions, they would have lived well under the covenant and received His blessings. Deuteronomy 4 highlights three key benefits of listening to God. First, hearing enables one to hold fast to the Lord, as those who listened remained loyal and lived, while those who ignored His instructions at Baal Peor died. Second, listening generates understanding and wisdom, as God's words provide the most beneficial advice, leading to skill in living when put into practice. Third, hearing offers the opportunity to ease the way for children and perpetuate God's blessings on the family, with Moses emphasizing the need to teach the next generation diligently through constant modeling of God's way. In Deuteronomy 5, God urges His people to hear the covenant and commandments, ensuring that obedience secures His presence and blessings, fostering character growth. Deuteronomy 6 reinforces the importance of hearing in childrearing, stressing diligence and consistent example as essential to training godly children. Deuteronomy 9 uses "hear" to confront the Israelites with their inadequacies, reminding them of their dependence on God's grace rather than their own righteousness, instilling humility as they enter the Promised Land. The call to hear extends beyond Deuteronomy, emphasizing a foundational attitude of humility and obedience. God desires His people to listen, understand their weaknesses, and trust in His strength, knowing that He will uphold His part of the covenant if they fulfill theirs by truly hearing and obeying His voice.

The Hebrew word *shama'* (H8085), translated as "hear," carries a profound meaning beyond mere auditory perception. It originates from a root word signifying to hear intelligently, implying attention and obedience. This term encompasses a deeper engagement, urging one to take the message to heart. In various scriptures, it is rendered as attentive, consider, diligent, discern, obey, perceive, regard, and understand. When God commands to hear a word from His mouth, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17, He is instructing to pay close attention, diligently consider, understand, and obey Him. This is a powerful directive. In Habakkuk 2:1, the prophet exemplifies this concept of hearing. He positions himself spiritually to await God's response, determined not just to listen but to hear in the biblical sense, diligently considering God's words. Later, in Habakkuk 3:16, Habakkuk demonstrates that he was indeed paying close attention to God's warnings for Judah, taking them to heart despite his initial puzzlement over God's plan. His process mirrors a child of God recognizing the importance of God's message, striving to understand and act upon it with obedience.