Listen – Sama
Hebrew #8085 – Sama (shaw-mah) – שמע
Definition: give one’s attention to a sound. Take notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request.
“Listen to Me, O coastlands, and hear, you peoples from afar! יהוה has called Me from the womb, from My mother’s belly He has caused My Name to be remembered.”
-Yeshayah (Isaiah) 49:1
“Hear my cry, O Elohim, Listen to my prayer.”
-Tehillim (Psalms) 61:1
“Children, listen to the discipline of a father, And give attention to know understanding; For I gave you good instruction: Do not forsake my Torah.”
-Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 4:1-2
“Pay attention, Iyoḇ, listen to me, keep silent, and let me speak.”
-Iyoḇ (Job) 33:31
“Listen and give ear, do not be proud, for יהוה has spoken.”
-Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 13:15
To truly listen to someone means more than just hearing their words—it means understanding them. If we simply sit there distracted, pretending to listen, not only does it form a careless and rude habit, but it can also hurt the other person’s feelings. Instead, we should strive to be kind and considerate to those around us. As Hebrews 13:1 says, “Let brotherly love continue.”
James 1:19 also reminds us, “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” And of course, Proverbs is filled with similar wisdom about the value of listening.
Interestingly, when I looked up a list of the “Top Ten Friendship Tips,” more than 80% of them included something like “be a good listener” or “listen to your friends”—and over half put that at the very top. Listening is one of the most important keys to building strong friendships. But it doesn’t stop there. Listening is also vital in our relationship with Yahuah. How could we ever know His will if we don’t listen?
In Isaiah 51, Elohim emphasizes this again and again:
· “Listen to Me…” (verse 1)
· “Listen to Me, My people, give ear to Me, O My nation, for the Torah goes forth from Me, and My right-ruling I set as a light to peoples.” (verse 4)
· “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness…” (verse 7)
Clearly, listening is not something optional—it’s essential. It strengthens our friendships, deepens our understanding, and connects us to Elohim.
So let’s practice true listening, every day.
Even though you’ve read these words, I hope you’ve also “listened” to the heart behind them.
See you!
—AS
