The Meaning of Hebrews 12:19 Explained

Hebrews 12:19

KJV: And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

YLT: and a sound of a trumpet, and a voice of sayings, which those having heard did entreat that a word might not be added to them,

Darby: and trumpet's sound, and voice of words; which they that heard, excusing themselves, declined the word being addressed to them any more:

ASV: and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the sound  of a trumpet,  and  the voice  of words;  which  [voice] they that heard  intreated  that the word  should  not  be spoken  to them  any more: 

What does Hebrews 12:19 Mean?

Context Summary

Hebrews 12:18-29 - Hearken To God's Latest Word
Sinai rocked with earthquake and burned with fire. None might touch it without incurring the death penalty. How much better our Christian heritage! Not a lonely mountain, but a city and commonwealth of holy souls. Not bands of worshipers gathered from the land of Canaan, but hosts of angels, the spirits of just men; and our blessed Lord Himself. For the blood of animals, the blood of Jesus; for the Old Covenant, the New; for Abel's death beside his altar, the Savior's death on the cross.
Notice the writer does not say that we shall, but that we are come, Hebrews 12:22. Already, in our holiest moments, we are part of that great throng to which so many of our beloved have gone. Around us the most stable structures are being tested and some are crumbling to the ground. As they fall they show that their service was transient. But as the scaffolding is taken down, the true building-the City of God-emerges. [source]

Chapter Summary: Hebrews 12

1  An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness by Christ's example
22  A commendation of the new covenant

Greek Commentary for Hebrews 12:19

Unto blackness [γνοπωι]
Dative case of γνοπος — gnophos (late form for earlier δνοπος — dnophos and kin to νεπος — nephos cloud), here only in N.T. Quoted here from Exodus 10:22. Darkness Old word, in Homer for the gloom of the world below. In the Symmachus Version of Exodus 10:22, also in Judges 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4, 2 Peter 2:15. Tempest Old word from τυω — thuō (to boil, to rage), a hurricane, here only in N.T. From Exodus 10:22. The sound of a trumpet From Exodus 19:16. Εχος — Echos is an old word (our εχο — echo) as in Luke 21:25; Acts 2:2. The voice of words From Exodus 19:19; Deuteronomy 4:12. Which voice Relative referring to πωνη — phōnē (voice) just before, genitive case with ακουσαντες — akousantes (heard, aorist active participle). Intreated First aorist middle (indirect) indicative of παραιτεομαι — paraiteomai old verb, to ask from alongside (Mark 15:6), then to beg away from oneself, to depreciate as here, to decline (Acts 25:11), to excuse (Luke 14:18), to avoid (1 Timothy 4:7). That no word should be spoken unto them First aorist passive infinitive of προστιτημι — prostithēmi old word to add, here with accusative of general reference (λογον — logon), “that no word be added unto them.” Some MSS. have here a redundant negative μη — mē with the infinitive because of the negative idea in παρηιτησαντο — parēitēsanto as in Galatians 5:7. [source]
Sound of a trumpet [σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ]
See Exodus 19:16, Exodus 19:19; Exodus 20:18. Ηχος a noise, almost entirely in Luke and Acts. See Luke 4:37; Acts 2:2; comp. lxx, 1 Samuel 14:19. Of the roar of the waves, Luke 21:25; comp. lxx, 76:17. A rumor or report, see on Luke href="/desk/?q=lu+4:37&sr=1">Luke 4:37, and comp. lxx, 1 Samuel 4:16; Psalm 9:6. It does not occur in the O.T. narrative of the giving of the law, where we have φωνή voicesee lxx, Exodus 19:13, Exodus 19:16, Exodus 19:19; Exodus 20:18. For φωνή σάλπιγγος voiceof a trumpet in N.T., see Revelation 1:10; Revelation 4:1; Revelation 8:13. Σάλπιγξ is a war-trumpet. [source]
Voice of words [φωνῇ ῥημάτων]
See Exodus 19:19; Deuteronomy 4:12; Deuteronomy 5:22, Deuteronomy 5:24, Deuteronomy 5:26. [source]
Entreated [παρῃτήσαντο]
See on 1 Timothy 4:7. [source]
Be spoken to them any more [προστεθῆναι αὐτοῖς]
Lit. be added. See on Luke 3:19; see on Luke 20:11; see on Acts 12:3. To them refers to the hearers, not to the things heard. Rend. “that no word more should be spoken unto them.” Comp. Exodus 20:19; Deuteronomy 5:25; Deuteronomy 18:16. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 12:19

Luke 4:37 The fame [ἦχος]
Lit., noise. Rev., rumor. Only here, Luke 21:25, where the correct reading is ἤχους ,the roaring, and Acts 2:2. Hebrews 12:19 is a quotation from the Septuagint. It is the word used in Acts 2:2 of the mighty rushing wind at Pentecost. Mark uses ἀκοὴ , in its earlier sense of a report. The same word occurs in Luke, but always in the sense in which medical writers employed it - hearing or the ears. See Luke 7:1; Acts 17:20; Acts 28:26. Ἦχος , was the medical term for sound in the ears or head. Hippocrates uses both words together: “the ears ( ἀκοαὶ ) are full of sound ( ἤχου );” and Aretaeus of the noise of the sea, as sa40" translation="">Luke 21:25.sa40 [source]
Luke 14:18 Make excuse [παραιτεῖσθαι]
Also rendered in New Testament refuse, Hebrews 12:19, Hebrews 12:25, where both meanings occur. See also 2 Timothy 2:23, Rev. Our phrase, beg off, expresses the idea here. [source]
Luke 14:18 To make excuse [παραιτεισται]
This common Greek verb is used in various ways, to ask something from one (Mark 15:6), to deprecate or ask to avert (Hebrews 12:19), to refuse or decline (Acts 25:11), to shun or to avoid (2 Timothy 2:23), to beg pardon or to make excuses for not doing or to beg (Luke 14:18). All these ideas are variations of αιτεω — aiteō to ask in the middle voice with παρα — para in composition.The first (ο πρωτος — ho prōtos). In order of time. There are three of the “many” (“all”), whose excuses are given, each more flimsy than the other.I must needs I have necessity. The land would still be there, a strange “necessity.”Have me excused (εχε με παρηιτημενον — eche me parēitēmenon). An unusual idiom somewhat like the English perfect with the auxiliary “have” and the modern Greek idiom with εχω — echō but certainly not here a Greek periphrasis for παρηιτησο — parēitēso This perfect passive participle is predicate and agrees with με — me See a like idiom in Mark 3:1; Luke 12:19 (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 902f.). The Latin had a similar idiom, habe me excusatum. Same language in Luke 14:19. [source]
1 Timothy 4:7 Shun [παραιτοῦ]
Comp. 1 Timothy 5:11; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:10. oP. The primary meaning is to ask as a favor (Mark 15:6; Hebrews 12:19). Mostly in this sense in lxx, as 1 Samuel 20:6, 1 Samuel 20:28. To deprecate; to prevent the consequences of an act by protesting against and disavowing it, as Luke href="/desk/?q=lu+14:18&sr=1">Luke 14:18, Luke 14:19; 4Macc. 11:2. To decline, refuse, avoid, as here, Acts 25:11; Hebrews 12:25. [source]
Hebrews 12:25 See [βλεπετε]
Earnest word as in Hebrews 3:12. Driving home the whole argument of the Epistle by this powerful contrast between Mount Zion and Mount Sinai. The consequences are dreadful to apostates now, for Zion has greater terrors than Sinai, great as those were. That ye refuse not Negative purpose with μη — mē and the first aorist middle subjunctive of παραιτεομαι — paraiteomai the same verb used in Hebrews 12:19 about the conduct of the Israelites at Sinai and also below. Him that speaketh Present active articular participle of λαλεω — laleō as in Hebrews 12:24 (Jesus speaking by his blood). For if they did not escape Condition of first class with ει — ei and second aorist active indicative of εκπευγω — ekpheugō to escape. Direct reference to Sinai with use of the same verb again Him that warned That is Moses. For χρηματιζω — chrēmatizō see Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 11:7. Much more we Argument from the less to the greater, πολυ — polu adverbial accusative case. The verb has to be supplied from the condition, “We shall not escape.” Our chance to escape is far less, “we who turn away (αποστρεπομενοι — apostrephomenoi middle participle, turn ourselves away from) the one from heaven (τον απ ουρανων — ton ap' ouranōn),” God speaking through his Son (Hebrews 1:2). [source]
1 John 2:22 But [ει μη]
Except, if not.That denieth that Jesus is the Christ (ο αρνουμενος οτι Ιησους ουκ εστιν ο Χριστος — ho arnoumenos hoti Iēsous ouk estin ho Christos). Common Greek idiom for ουκ — ouk to appear after αρνεομαι — arneomai like redundant μη — mē in Luke 20:27; Hebrews 12:19. The old Latin retains non here as old English did (Shakespeare, Comedy of Errors IV. ii. 7, “He denied you had in him no right”). The Cerinthian Gnostics denied the identity of the man Jesus and Christ (an αεον — aeon they held) like the modern Jesus or Christ controversy.This is the antichrist The one just mentioned, Cerinthus himself in particular.Even he that denieth the Father and the Son (ο αρνουμενος τον πατερα και τον υιον — ho arnoumenos ton patera kai ton huion). This is the inevitable logic of such a rejection of the Son of God. Jesus had himself said this very same thing (John 5:23.). [source]
1 John 2:22 That denieth that Jesus is the Christ [ο αρνουμενος οτι Ιησους ουκ εστιν ο Χριστος]
Common Greek idiom for ουκ — ouk to appear after αρνεομαι — arneomai like redundant μη — mē in Luke 20:27; Hebrews 12:19. The old Latin retains non here as old English did (Shakespeare, Comedy of Errors IV. ii. 7, “He denied you had in him no right”). The Cerinthian Gnostics denied the identity of the man Jesus and Christ (an αεον — aeon they held) like the modern Jesus or Christ controversy. [source]

What do the individual words in Hebrews 12:19 mean?

and of a trumpet to [the] sound to a voice of words which those having heard excused themselves [asking] not to be addressed to them [the] word
καὶ σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ φωνῇ ῥημάτων ἧς οἱ ἀκούσαντες παρῃτήσαντο μὴ προστεθῆναι αὐτοῖς λόγον

σάλπιγγος  of  a  trumpet 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: σάλπιγξ  
Sense: a trumpet.
ἤχῳ  to  [the]  sound 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἦχοσ1 
Sense: a sound, noise.
φωνῇ  to  a  voice 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: φωνή  
Sense: a sound, a tone.
ῥημάτων  of  words 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: ῥῆμα  
Sense: that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word.
οἱ  those 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀκούσαντες  having  heard 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
παρῃτήσαντο  excused  themselves 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: παραιτέομαι  
Sense: to ask along side, beg to have near one.
μὴ  [asking]  not 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μή 
Sense: no, not lest.
προστεθῆναι  to  be  addressed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Passive
Root: προστίθημι  
Sense: to put to.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
λόγον  [the]  word 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.