Hebrews 12:18-21

Hebrews 12:18-21

[18] For  not  come  that might be touched,  and  that burned  with fire,  nor  unto blackness,  and  tempest,  [19] And  the sound  of a trumpet,  and  the voice  of words;  which  voice they that heard  intreated  that the word  be spoken  to them  any more:  [20] (For  not  endure  that which was commanded,  And if so much as  a beast  touch  the mountain,  it shall be stoned,  [21] And  so  terrible  the sight,  that Moses  said,  I exceedingly fear  and  quake:) 

What does Hebrews 12:18-21 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

These verses describe the giving of the Old Covenant at Mt. Sinai (cf. Hebrews 2:2-4; Exodus 19:9-23; Deuteronomy 4:11; Deuteronomy 9:8-19). [1] The writer made Sinai and Zion metaphors to show the difference in quality between relationship to God under the Old and New Covenants (cf. Galatians 4:24-26). [2] The emphasis in this comparison is on the holiness of God and the fearful consequences of incurring His displeasure (cf. Judges 13:20; 1 Kings 8:12; 1 Kings 18:38; Nahum 1:3; Matthew 24:30-31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). God was far from the Israelites, and even Moses felt terror.