Late 15th Century BC (During the Israelites' wilderness journey before entering Canaan)
The Israelites were transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle in the wilderness to settling in the Promised Land, Canaan. They were being shaped into a distinct nation under Yahweh's laws.
The Israelites were on the verge of entering Canaan, a land inhabited by various Canaanite tribes. The region was characterized by city-states and tribal confederations.
The plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, where Moses delivered his final speeches to the Israelites before they crossed into Canaan.
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) emphasized monotheism and the love of God, setting the Israelites apart from the polytheistic cultures surrounding them. The chapter also stresses the importance of teaching God's laws to future generations.
Moses