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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 12:18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm;</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/58_Heb_12_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 12:18 - An Unshakable Kingdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm;" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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to darkness, gloom and storm;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hebrews/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hebrews/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to <i>that</i> being touched and having been kindled with fire, and to darkness, and to gloom, and to storm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hebrews/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hebrews/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hebrews/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to <i>a mountain</i> that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hebrews/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hebrews/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For you have not come to <i>a mountain</i> that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hebrews/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For you have not come to <i>a mountain</i> that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hebrews/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come [as did the Israelites in the wilderness] to <i>a mountain</i> that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to gloom and darkness and a raging windstorm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hebrews/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hebrews/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hebrews/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hebrews/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You have not come to a place like Mount Sinai that can be seen and touched. There is no flaming fire or dark cloud or storm <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hebrews/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hebrews/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You have not come to something that you can feel, to a blazing fire, to darkness, to gloom, to a storm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hebrews/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You have not come, as the people of Israel came, to what you can feel, to Mount Sinai with its blazing fire, the darkness and the gloom, the storm, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hebrews/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You have not come to something that can be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, to gloom, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hebrews/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to blackness, darkness, and storm;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hebrews/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hebrews/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to something that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and darkness, gloom, and storm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hebrews/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For ye are not come to the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor to blackness, and to darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For you have not come to a material object all ablaze with fire, and to gloom and darkness and storm and trumpet-blast and the sound of words--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hebrews/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, storm, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hebrews/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For you did not come near to the mountain touched and scorched with fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and storm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For you have not come to <i>that</i> being touched and having been kindled with fire, and to darkness, and to gloom, and to storm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hebrews/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For ye came not near to the mount touched and scorched with fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hebrews/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For ye have not come to the mount being handled, and burned with fire, and to duskiness, and to darkness, and to a violent storm,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hebrews/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For you are not come to a mountain that might be touched, and a burning fire, and a whirlwind, and darkness, and storm, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hebrews/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But you have not drawn near to a tangible mountain, or a burning fire, or a whirlwind, or a mist, or a storm,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hebrews/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For you have yet neither come near the roaring fire, nor the darkness nor the storm nor the tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For you have not approached the fire that burned and was tangible, neither to the darkness and dark fog and the tempest,<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/hebrews/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched, and that burns with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/hebrews/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For you have not come to the mountain that can be touched, and that is burnt with fire, and unto blackness and darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/hebrews/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For ye have not approached the mountain that could only be groped for, and that burned with fire, and the thick cloud, and the darkness, and the tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/hebrews/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />You do not approach to any thing corporeal, to scorching fire, to smoak, darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For you have not come to a material object all ablaze with fire, and to gloom and darkness and storm and trumpet-blast and the sound of words--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/hebrews/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For ye have not come to a <i>mount</i> that is touched and burning with fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/hebrews/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Ye are not come to a tangible mountain, and burning fire, and a thick cloud, and darkness, and tempest,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hebrews/12-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=2651" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/12.htm">An Unshakable Kingdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17</span>For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: Ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/4334.htm" title="4334: proselēlythate (V-RIA-2P) -- From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.">you have not come to</a> <a href="/greek/5584.htm" title="5584: psēlaphōmenō (V-PPM/P-DNS) -- From the base of psallo; to manipulate, i.e. Verify by contact; figuratively, to search for.">a mountain that can be touched</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and that</a> <a href="/greek/2545.htm" title="2545: kekaumenō (V-RPM/P-DNS) -- To ignite, light, burn, lit. and met; I consume with fire. Apparently a primary verb; to set on fire, i.e. Kindle or consume.">is burning</a> <a href="/greek/4442.htm" title="4442: pyri (N-DNS) -- Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; fire.">with fire;</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1105.htm" title="1105: gnophō (N-DMS) -- Darkness, gloom; a thick cloud. Akin to nephos; gloom.">to darkness,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2217.htm" title="2217: zophō (N-DMS) -- Darkness, murkiness, gloom. Akin to the base of nephos; gloom.">gloom,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2366.htm" title="2366: thyellē (N-DFS) -- A storm, tempest, whirlwind. From thuo a storm.">storm;</a> </span> <span class="reftext">19</span>to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16-19</a></span><br />On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. / Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. / Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm">Deuteronomy 4:11-12</a></span><br />You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. / And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-22.htm">Deuteronomy 5:22-26</a></span><br />The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice to your whole assembly out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness on the mountain; He added nothing more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. / And when you heard the voice out of the darkness while the mountain was blazing with fire, all the heads of your tribes and your elders approached me, / and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">Exodus 20:18-21</a></span><br />When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. / “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-24.htm">Galatians 4:24-26</a></span><br />These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. / Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. / But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7-9</a></span><br />Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-38.htm">Acts 7:38</a></span><br />He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a></span><br />For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/24-17.htm">Exodus 24:17</a></span><br />And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-2.htm">Deuteronomy 33:2</a></span><br />He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/68-8.htm">Psalm 68:8</a></span><br />the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-18.htm">Psalm 77:18</a></span><br />Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/97-2.htm">Psalm 97:2-5</a></span><br />Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation. / Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. / His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">1 Kings 19:11-12</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-4.htm">Isaiah 6:4</a></span><br />At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For you are not come to the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor to blackness, and darkness, and tempest,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/19-12.htm">Exodus 19:12-19</a></b></br> And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, <i>that ye</i> go <i>not</i> up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">Exodus 20:18</a></b></br> And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw <i>it</i>, they removed, and stood afar off.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-17.htm">Exodus 24:17</a></b></br> And the sight of the glory of the LORD <i>was</i> like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Ablaze</a> <a href="/acts/13-1.htm">Black</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Blackness</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm">Blazing</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-8.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-1.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-5.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-5.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-34.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Gloom</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-11.htm">Material</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-4.htm">Object</a> <a href="/mark/4-6.htm">Scorched</a> <a href="/acts/2-19.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/titus/2-8.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/acts/27-33.htm">Storm</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-8.htm">Tempest</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Touched</a> <a href="/matthew/24-31.htm">Trumpet-Blast</a> <a href="/titus/1-7.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-14.htm">Whirlwind</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Wind</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-5.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/3-5.htm">Ablaze</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm">Black</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm">Blackness</a> <a href="/revelation/1-14.htm">Blazing</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-11.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/james/1-11.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/revelation/10-1.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/james/4-9.htm">Gloom</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-21.htm">Material</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-20.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/james/4-3.htm">Object</a> <a href="/revelation/16-9.htm">Scorched</a> <a href="/revelation/8-4.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-19.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm">Storm</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm">Tempest</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-20.htm">Touched</a> <a href="/matthew/24-31.htm">Trumpet-Blast</a> <a href="/james/3-4.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">Whirlwind</a> <a href="/james/1-6.htm">Wind</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-19.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/12-1.htm">An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness by Christ's example</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">A commendation of the new covenant.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/hebrews/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched</b><br>This phrase contrasts the physical and tangible experience of Mount Sinai with the spiritual experience of Mount Zion. Mount Sinai, where the Law was given, was a physical location that the Israelites could approach but not touch due to its holiness and the presence of God. This serves as a reminder of the Old Covenant, which was based on physical laws and rituals. The emphasis here is on the tangible nature of the Old Covenant, which required physical adherence and was marked by fear and distance from God.<p><b>and that is burning with fire</b><br>The fire on Mount Sinai symbolizes God's holiness and consuming presence. In <a href="/exodus/19-18.htm">Exodus 19:18</a>, the mountain is described as being covered in smoke because the Lord descended on it in fire. This imagery conveys the awe and fear associated with God's presence under the Old Covenant. Fire often represents God's judgment and purification, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/deuteronomy/4-24.htm">Deuteronomy 4:24</a>, which describes God as a consuming fire. This highlights the severity and unapproachability of God under the Old Covenant.<p><b>to darkness, gloom, and storm</b><br>These elements further describe the terrifying and awe-inspiring scene at Mount Sinai. Darkness and gloom signify the obscurity and mystery of God's presence, as well as the fear it instilled in the Israelites. The storm represents the power and majesty of God, as well as the chaos and unpredictability of His presence. This imagery is consistent with the theophany at Sinai, where the people trembled at the sound of thunder and the sight of lightning (<a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16</a>). It underscores the contrast between the Old Covenant, characterized by fear and distance, and the New Covenant, which offers access and intimacy with God through Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain referenced in this verse, where God gave the Law to Moses. It was a place of awe and fear, characterized by fire, darkness, and storm, as described in <a href="/bsb/exodus/19.htm">Exodus 19</a>.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who experienced the terrifying presence of God at Mount Sinai. They were witnesses to the giving of the Law and the accompanying phenomena.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Law from God. He acted as a mediator between God and the people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_giving_of_the_law.htm">The Giving of the Law</a></b><br>The event at Mount Sinai where God delivered the Ten Commandments and other laws to the Israelites, establishing the Old Covenant.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_new_covenant_community.htm">The New Covenant Community</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter to the Hebrews, who are being reminded of their new relationship with God through Jesus Christ, contrasting the old experience at Sinai.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_the_old_covenant.htm">The Nature of the Old Covenant</a></b><br>The Old Covenant, represented by Mount Sinai, was characterized by fear and distance from God. It served to highlight the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_contrast_with_the_new_covenant.htm">The Contrast with the New Covenant</a></b><br>Believers in Christ are not called to a relationship based on fear and external regulations but to one of grace and intimacy through Jesus.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_holiness_of_god.htm">The Holiness of God</a></b><br>The imagery of fire, darkness, and storm at Sinai serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the reverence due to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/approaching_god_with_confidence.htm">Approaching God with Confidence</a></b><br>Through Christ, believers can approach God with confidence, not fear, as they are part of the New Covenant community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_light_of_the_new_covenant.htm">Living in the Light of the New Covenant</a></b><br>Christians are called to live in the freedom and grace of the New Covenant, reflecting the love and holiness of God in their lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_abraham_plan_to_sacrifice_isaac.htm">Why did Abraham prepare to sacrifice his son Isaac?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god_fearsome_in_exodus_19.htm">Why is God depicted as a physical, fearsome presence in Exodus 19, but more abstractly and intimately in other biblical passages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_mount_sinai_important.htm">What is the significance of Mount Sinai?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18-29) The exhortation to faithfulness is most impressively enforced by means of a comparison between the earlier revelation and that which is given in Christ.<p><span class= "bld">The mount that might be touched.</span>--It appears certain that the word "mount" has no place in the true Greek text. Had this word been in the sentence as originally written, its absence from all our more ancient authorities would be inexplicable; whilst, on the other hand, the contrast with <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm" title="But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,">Hebrews 12:22</a>, and the recollection of <a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm" title="And you came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire to the middle of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.">Deuteronomy 4:11</a>, from which the last words in this verse are taken, would very naturally lead a transcriber to supply this word, which he might suppose to have accidentally dropped out of the text. If, however, the writer did not make use of the word here, though the contrast of <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm" title="But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,">Hebrews 12:22</a> was already before his mind, it seems certain that the word was not in his thought; and hence we have no right to introduce it in the explanation of the verse. The true translation, in all probability, is as follows: <span class= "ital">For ye are not come unto a material</span> (literally, <span class= "ital">a palpable</span>)<span class= "ital"> and kindled fire, and unto gloom and darkness and tempest.</span> The object of the writer is to set forth the terrors which accompanied the giving of the Law,--that which the awe-stricken people saw and heard. Not the mount, but the terrible fire was that which met their gaze. Thus again and again in Deuteronomy we find reference to the voice and the fire alone (<a href="/deuteronomy/4-33.htm" title="Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the middle of the fire, as you have heard, and live?">Deuteronomy 4:33</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/4-36.htm" title="Out of heaven he made you to hear his voice, that he might instruct you: and on earth he showed you his great fire; and you heard his words out of the middle of the fire.">Deuteronomy 4:36</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/5-4.htm" title="The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the middle of the fire,">Deuteronomy 5:4</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/5-25.htm" title="Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.">Deuteronomy 5:25-26</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/18-16.htm" title="According to all that you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.">Deuteronomy 18:16</a>). Shortly before "the day of the assembly" in Horeb Israel had been led by "a pillar of fire" (<a href="/exodus/13-21.htm" title="And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:">Exodus 13:21</a>); in <a href="/hebrews/12-29.htm" title="For our God is a consuming fire.">Hebrews 12:29</a> of this chapter the figure of "a consuming fire" is applied to God Himself. To avoid such associations as these, and vividly to represent what then was shown to the Israelites, he speaks of "a material and kindled fire." The metaphor in "palpable" as applied to fire is hardly more remarkable than that involved in "a darkness which may be felt" (<a href="/exodus/10-21.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.">Exodus 10:21</a>, where the word used in the LXX. is almost the same as that which we have here). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 18-29.</span> - There follows now, both for encouragement and for warning, a grand contrast between the Mosaic and Christian dispensations, founded on the phenomena that accompanied the giving of the Law. To Mount Sinai, with its repelling terrors, is opposed an ideal picture of Mount Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem, expressive of the communion of saints in Christ. And then at ver. 25 (as previously in <a href="/hebrews/10.htm">Hebrews 10</a>.) the tone of encouragement changes again to one of warning, the very excess of privilege being made the measure of the guilt of slighting it. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned, with fire, and unto blackness and darkness and tempest.</span> The allusion is to the Israelites approaching Mount Sinai when the Law was given (see <a href="/deuteronomy/4-11.htm">Deuteronomy 4:11</a>, whence still more than from <a href="/exodus/19.htm">Exodus 19</a>. the whole description is taken, "And ye came near [<span class="greek">προσήλθετε</span>, the same word as is used supra, <a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a>; <a href="/hebrews/7-25.htm">Hebrews 7:25</a>], and stood under the mountain"). Though the word "mount" in the Received Text has the support of no ancient authority, it must be understood, whether or not originally written. For it comes after <span class="greek">προσήλθετε</span> in the passage of Deuteronomy which is evidently referred to, the following words, "blackness, darkness, tempest" (<span class="greek">σκότος γνόφος θύελλα</span>), being also found there. And otherwise we should have to translate, "a touched [i.e. palpable] and kindled fire;" but "touched" (<span class="greek">φηλαφωμένῳ</span>) is not suitable to <span class="accented">fire</span>; and we should also lose the evidently intended contrast between the two mountains of Sinai and Zion, which appears in ver. 22. Neither may we trans- late, as some would do, "a mountain that might be touched, and kindled fire;" for the original passage in Deuteronomy has "and the mountain burned with fire (<span class="greek">καὶ</span> <span class="greek">τὸ ὄρος ἐκαίετο πυρὶ</span>)." The participle <span class="greek">φηλαφωμένῳ</span> (literally, that was touched), rather than <span class="greek">ψηφαλητῷ</span>, may be used here, although on the occasion referred to all were forbidden to touch the mountain, by way of bringing more distinctly into view the actual Sinai, which was touched at other times, and which Moses both touched and ascended. If so, the main purpose of the word is to contrast the local and palpable mountain of the Law with the ideal Mount Zion which is afterwards spoken cf. Or, the verb <span class="greek">ψηλαλάω</span> may here carry with it its common sense of groping after, as in the dark (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/28-29.htm">Deuteronomy 28:29</a>, <span class="greek">Καὶ ἔση ψηλαφῶν μεσημβρίας ὡσεὶ</span> <span class="greek">ψηλαφήσαι ὁ τυφλὸς ἐν τῷ σκότει</span>), with reference to the cloudy darkness about Sinai, and in contrast with the clear unclouded vision of Zion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hebrews/12-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have not come to</span><br /><span class="grk">προσεληλύθατε</span> <span class="translit">(proselēlythate)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4334.htm">Strong's 4334: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[ a mountain that ] can be touched</span><br /><span class="grk">ψηλαφωμένῳ</span> <span class="translit">(psēlaphōmenō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5584.htm">Strong's 5584: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of psallo; to manipulate, i.e. Verify by contact; figuratively, to search for.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">that is burning</span><br /><span class="grk">κεκαυμένῳ</span> <span class="translit">(kekaumenō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2545.htm">Strong's 2545: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ignite, light, burn, lit. and met; I consume with fire. Apparently a primary verb; to set on fire, i.e. Kindle or consume.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with fire;</span><br /><span class="grk">πυρὶ</span> <span class="translit">(pyri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4442.htm">Strong's 4442: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to darkness,</span><br /><span class="grk">γνόφῳ</span> <span class="translit">(gnophō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1105.htm">Strong's 1105: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness, gloom; a thick cloud. Akin to nephos; gloom.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gloom,</span><br /><span class="grk">ζόφῳ</span> <span class="translit">(zophō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2217.htm">Strong's 2217: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness, murkiness, gloom. Akin to the base of nephos; gloom.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">storm;</span><br /><span class="grk">θυέλλῃ</span> <span class="translit">(thyellē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2366.htm">Strong's 2366: </a> </span><span class="str2">A storm, tempest, whirlwind. From thuo a storm.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hebrews/12-18.htm">Hebrews 12:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hebrews/12-18.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 12:18 For you have not come to (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/12-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 12:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 12:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/12-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 12:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 12:19" /></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>