The Hebrew verb שׁמע (shama, pronounced sha-MA) means "to hear," but is also used in related contexts as in English, such as "to listen," "to obey," and "to understand"—all of which are the result of hearing. Perhaps the most famous use of the verb shama (שׁמע) comes in its imperative (command) form in Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear (שׁמע), O Israel: The LORD is our God, the Lord alone." This verse is known as the "Shema" because it begins with the verb shama (שׁמע).