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Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. <a href="/nlt/exodus/19.htm">New Living Translation</a> Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death. <a href="/esv/exodus/19.htm">English Standard Version</a> And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. <a href="/bsb/exodus/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. <a href="/kjv/exodus/19.htm">King James Bible</a> And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: <a href="/nkjv/exodus/19.htm">New King James Version</a> You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. <a href="/nasb_/exodus/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But you shall set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall certainly be put to death. <a href="/nasb/exodus/19.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, &#8216Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. <a href="/nasb77/exodus/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. <a href="/lsb/exodus/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. <a href="/amp/exodus/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a> You shall set barriers for the people all around [the mountain], saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch its border; whoever touches the mountain must be put to death. <a href="/csb/exodus/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death. <a href="/hcsb/exodus/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don&#8217t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain will be put to death. <a href="/asv/exodus/19.htm">American Standard Version</a> And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: <a href="/cev/exodus/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Warn the people that they are forbidden to touch any part of the mountain. Anyone who does will be put to death, <a href="/erv/exodus/19.htm">English Revised Version</a> And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: <a href="/gwt/exodus/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Mark off a boundary around the mountain for the people, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even touch it. Those who touch the mountain must be put to death. <a href="/gnt/exodus/19.htm">Good News Translation</a> Mark a boundary around the mountain that the people must not cross, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even get near it. If any of you set foot on it, you are to be put to death; <a href="/isv/exodus/19.htm">International Standard Version</a> You are to set boundaries for the people all around: 'Be very careful that you don't go up on the mountain or touch the side of it. Anyone who touches the mountain is certainly to be put to death. <a href="/msb/exodus/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ?Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. <a href="/net/exodus/19.htm">NET Bible</a> You must set boundaries for the people all around, saying, 'Take heed to yourselves not to go up on the mountain nor touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death! <a href="/nheb/exodus/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, 'Be careful that you do not go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. <a href="/wbt/exodus/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And thou shalt set bounds to the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up upon the mount, or touch the border of it: whoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: <a href="/web/exodus/19.htm">World English Bible</a> You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And you have made a border [for] the people all around, saying, Take heed to yourselves, going up into the mountain or coming against its extremity; whoever is coming against the mountain is certainly put to death; <a href="/ylt/exodus/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And thou hast made a border for the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, going up into the mount, or coming against its extremity; whoever is coming against the mount is certainly put to death; <a href="/slt/exodus/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And set bounds to the people round about, saying, Watch for yourselves to go up into the mount, and to touch upon its extremity: every one touching upon the mount, dying, shall die.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And thou shalt appoint certain limits to the people round about, and thou shalt say to them: Take heed you go not up into the mount, and that ye touch not the borders thereof: every one that toucheth the mount dying he shall die. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And you will establish limits for the people all around, and you will say to them: ‘Take care not to ascend to the mountain, and that you do not touch its parts. All who touch the mountain, shall die a death.’ <a href="/nabre/exodus/19.htm">New American Bible</a> Set limits for the people all around, saying: Take care not to go up the mountain, or even to touch its edge. All who touch the mountain must be put to death. <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> You shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any who touch the mountain shall be put to death.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And you shall publish a warning among the people, saying, Take heed to yourselves, neither go up into the mountain, nor draw near to the border of it; whoever draws near to the mountain shall be put to death: <a href="/hpbt/exodus/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And raise a testimony among the people and say to them, ‘Beware you will not come up to the mountain and you shall not touch its borders and everyone who touches the mountain will be killed.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying: Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it; whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death; <a href="/sep/exodus/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And thou shalt separate the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves that ye go not up into the mountain, nor touch any part of it: every one that touches the mountain shall surely die. <a href="/parallel/exodus/19-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=4809" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/19.htm">Israel at Mount Sinai</a> …11and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12<a href="/hebrew/1379.htm" title="1379: wə·hiḡ·bal·tā (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To bound, border. A primitive root; properly, to twist as a rope; only to bound.">And you are to set up a boundary</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">for the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sā·ḇîḇ (Adv) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around.">around the mountain</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and tell them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: hiš·šā·mə·rū (V-Nifal-Imp-mp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">‘Be careful</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ă·lō·wṯ (V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">not to go up</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: bā·hār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">on the mountain</a> <a href="/hebrew/5060.htm" title="5060: ū·nə·ḡō·a‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike.">or touch</a> <a href="/hebrew/7097.htm" title="7097: bə·qā·ṣê·hū (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- End, extremity. Or qetseh; from qatsah; an extremity.">its base.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">Whoever</a> <a href="/hebrew/5060.htm" title="5060: han·nō·ḡê·a‘ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike.">touches</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: bā·hār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">the mountain</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mō·wṯ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">shall surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yū·māṯ (V-Hofal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">be put to death.</a> 13No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18-21</a> For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ... <a href="/joshua/3-4.htm">Joshua 3:4</a> But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.” <a href="/numbers/18-22.htm">Numbers 18:22</a> No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. <a href="/leviticus/16-2.htm">Leviticus 16:2</a> And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. <a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">2 Samuel 6:6-7</a> When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God. <a href="/deuteronomy/5-5.htm">Deuteronomy 5:5</a> At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said: <a href="/1_samuel/6-19.htm">1 Samuel 6:19-20</a> But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter. / The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?” <a href="/revelation/4-1.htm">Revelation 4:1-2</a> After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.” / At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. <a href="/matthew/27-51.htm">Matthew 27:51</a> At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split. <a href="/2_chronicles/30-18.htm">2 Chronicles 30:18-20</a> A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone / who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.” / And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. <a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a> Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” <a href="/acts/7-33.htm">Acts 7:33</a> Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. <a href="/ezekiel/44-9.htm">Ezekiel 44:9</a> This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites. <a href="/1_kings/8-10.htm">1 Kings 8:10-11</a> And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. <a href="/luke/23-45.htm">Luke 23:45</a> The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And you shall set bounds to the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that you go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whoever touches the mount shall be surely put to death:set bounds<a href="/exodus/19-21.htm">Exodus 19:21,23</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish… <a href="/joshua/3-4.htm">Joshua 3:4</a> Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.take<a href="/exodus/10-28.htm">Exodus 10:28</a> And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.<a href="/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12</a> Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:<a href="/deuteronomy/2-4.htm">Deuteronomy 2:4</a> And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:or touch<a href="/hebrews/12-20.htm">Hebrews 12:20,21</a> (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/10-28.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/exodus/16-35.htm">Border</a> <a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Bounds</a> <a href="/exodus/10-28.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/exodus/17-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/18-24.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/exodus/19-11.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/exodus/19-3.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/exodus/8-3.htm">Onto</a> <a href="/exodus/16-14.htm">Round</a> <a href="/exodus/18-18.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/exodus/12-22.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/genesis/27-12.htm">Touches</a> <a href="/genesis/26-11.htm">Toucheth</a> <a href="/exodus/19-4.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/23-5.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/exodus/23-31.htm">Border</a> <a href="/exodus/19-23.htm">Bounds</a> <a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/exodus/24-13.htm">Onto</a> <a href="/exodus/19-23.htm">Round</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/exodus/29-37.htm">Touches</a> <a href="/exodus/29-37.htm">Toucheth</a> <a href="/exodus/19-15.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 19</div>1. <a href="/exodus/19-1.htm">The people arrive at Sinai</a> 3. <a href="/exodus/19-3.htm">God's message by Moses unto the people out of the mount</a> 8. <a href="/exodus/19-8.htm">The people are prepared against the third day, for the giving of the law</a> 12. <a href="/exodus/19-12.htm">The mountain must not be touched</a> 16. <a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">The fearful presence of God upon the mount</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain In the context of <a href="/exodus/19.htm">Exodus 19</a>, God is preparing to give the Law to Israel at Mount Sinai. The boundary signifies the holiness of God and the separation between the divine and the human. This boundary is a physical representation of the spiritual separation caused by sin. The mountain, identified as Mount Sinai, is traditionally located in the Sinai Peninsula, though its exact location is debated. The setting of boundaries is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing God's holiness and the need for reverence (e.g., <a href="/leviticus/10-3.htm">Leviticus 10:3</a>).and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. This command underscores the seriousness of approaching God without proper mediation or preparation. The mountain is a sacred space, and touching it without permission is a violation of divine order. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's holiness and the need for purity when approaching Him (<a href="/isaiah/6.htm">Isaiah 6:1-5</a>). The warning to not even touch the base of the mountain highlights the absolute sanctity of God's presence.Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. The severe penalty for touching the mountain illustrates the gravity of disobedience and the holiness of God. This echoes the principle found throughout Scripture that the wages of sin is death (<a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>). The death penalty here is not just a legalistic measure but a theological statement about the consequences of sin and the need for atonement. This foreshadows the ultimate need for a mediator, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His laws and commandments to the people. 2. <a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a> The holy mountain where God descended to give the Ten Commandments to Moses. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now at the foot of Mount Sinai. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god's_command.htm">God's Command</a> The directive given by God to Moses to set boundaries around Mount Sinai to maintain its sanctity. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_boundary.htm">The Boundary</a> A physical and spiritual demarcation set by God to protect the holiness of the mountain and the people from His consuming presence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_god's_holiness.htm">Reverence for God's Holiness</a> God's holiness demands respect and reverence. The boundary around Mount Sinai serves as a reminder of the sacredness of God's presence. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a> The command to not touch the mountain illustrates the importance of obedience to God's instructions. Disobedience leads to severe consequences. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_mediators.htm">The Role of Mediators</a> Moses acted as a mediator between God and the Israelites, foreshadowing the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between God and humanity. <a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_the_lord.htm">The Fear of the Lord</a> The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Understanding God's power and holiness should lead to a healthy fear and respect for Him. <a href="/topical/b/boundaries_in_our_spiritual_lives.htm">Boundaries in Our Spiritual Lives</a> Just as physical boundaries were set at Mount Sinai, we must establish spiritual boundaries in our lives to maintain holiness and avoid sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 19</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_sinai_events_in_heb._12_18-21.htm">In Hebrews 12:18–21, is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting the dramatic events at Mount Sinai as described? </a> <a href="/q/does_the_bible_support_boundaries.htm">Are boundaries supported by biblical teachings?</a> <a href="/q/why_death_for_touching_the_mountain.htm">Exodus 19:12-13: Why would a supposedly loving God require the death penalty for anyone (or even an animal) that merely touches the mountain?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_evidence_of_israelites_at_sinai.htm">Exodus 19:1-2: If a massive camp of Israelites really gathered at Mount Sinai, why is there scant archaeological evidence supporting such an event in that location?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) Thou shalt set bounds.--Here was another formal and mechanical direction, having for its object to deepen and intensify the lesson of God's unapproachable majesty and holiness. Moses was required to "set bounds to the people," i.e., to make a substantial fence between the camp and the base of Sinai, which should prevent both animals and men from coming in contact with the mountain. Modern travellers generally observe how abruptly the rocky precipice of Ras Sufsafeh rises from the plain in front of it, so that in many places it is quite possible to stand on the plain and yet touch the mountain. The idea that a line of natural mounds now to be seen near the base of Sinai represents the "bounds" of Moses (Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 43) is unsatisfactory, since the "bounds" of Moses were most certainly artificial ones. It is, however, possible that his "bounds" may have followed the line of the natural barrier.That ye go not up into the mount.--Unless it had been forbidden, there might have seemed to be no reason why pious Israelites might not have ascended the height, to draw near to God in prayer. It is a praiseworthy feeling which breathes in the words, "Nearer, my God, to thee;" but the nation was not fit for close approach.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Thou shalt set bounds. The erection of a fence or barrier, between the camp and the mountain - not necessarily all round the mountain - seems to be meant. This barrier may have run along the line of low alluvial mounds at the foot of the cliff of Ras Sufsafeh, mentioned by Dean Stanley (Sinai and Palestine, p. 43), but cannot have been identical with them, since it was an artificial fence. That ye go not up into the mount. Curiosity might have tempted some to ascend the mount, if it had not been positively forbidden under the penalty of death; carelessness might have brought many into contact with it, since the cliff rises abruptly from the plain. Unless the fence had been made, cattle would, naturally, have grazed along its base. To impress the Israelites with a due sense of the awful majesty of God, and the sacredness of everything material that it brought into close relations with him, the mount itself was declared holy - none but Moses and Aaron might go up into it; none might touch it; even the stray beast that approached it must suffer death for its unwitting offence (ver. 13). Whosoever toucheth the mount. The mountain may be "touched" from the plain - it rises so abruptly. Shall be surely put to death. A terrible punishment, and one which, to modern ideas, seems excessive. But it was only by terrible threats, and in some cases by terrible punishments (<a href="/2_samuel/6-7.htm">2 Samuel 6:7</a>), that the Israelites could be taught reverence. A profound reverence lies at the root of all true religious feeling; and for the education of the world, it was requisite, in the early ages, to inculcate the necessity of this frame of mind in some very marked and striking way. <a href="/commentaries/exodus/19-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And you are to set up a boundary וְהִגְבַּלְתָּ֤ (wə·hiḡ·bal·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1379.htm">Strong's 1379: </a> To twist as a, rope, to bound for the people הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock around [the mountain] סָבִ֣יב (sā·ḇîḇ) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5439.htm">Strong's 5439: </a> A circle, neighbour, environs, around and tell them, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say ‘Be careful הִשָּׁמְר֥וּ (hiš·šā·mə·rū) Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to not to go up עֲל֥וֹת (‘ă·lō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively on the mountain בָּהָ֖ר (bā·hār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country or touch וּנְגֹ֣עַ (ū·nə·ḡō·a‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5060.htm">Strong's 5060: </a> To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike its base. בְּקָצֵ֑הוּ (bə·qā·ṣê·hū) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7097.htm">Strong's 7097: </a> End, extremity Whoever כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every touches הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ (han·nō·ḡê·a‘) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5060.htm">Strong's 5060: </a> To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike the mountain בָּהָ֖ר (bā·hār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country shall surely מ֥וֹת (mō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill be put to death. יוּמָֽת׃ (yū·māṯ) Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/19-12.htm">OT Law: Exodus 19:12 You shall set bounds to the people (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/19-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 19:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 19:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/19-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 19:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 19:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>