Keraia
Exodus 19

Exodus 19:12

Israel at Mount Sinai · Exodus 19:1–15
Read Exodus 19

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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:
Literal
And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Guard yourselves from going up on the mountain and touching on its base. Everyone who touches on the mountain must surely be put to death.
Latin
Constituesque terminos populo per circuitum, et dices ad eos: Cavete ne ascendatis in montem, nec tangatis fines illius: omnis qui tetigerit montem, morte morietur.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Exodus 19:10–15

  • In the second stage of preparation, the people received commands that helped them get ready for God’s covenant.

    First, they had to wash their clothing (19:10, 14). This act showed that God is pure.

    Second, they had to set up a boundary around the mountain and not cross it (19:12–13). This command showed that God is holy (completely set apart).

    Third, they had to abstain from sexual relations (19:15). This instruction reminded them that God is not a sexual being and that his blessings do not come from sexual activity.

    These actions were not sinful in themselves. Under normal conditions, they were good and natural. However, the people had to set them aside for a special purpose.

    They needed to focus completely on the Lord, their King, who was about to appear before them.

    Only their obedience to the boundary command is clearly reported (19:23). Even so, since no judgment from the Lord is recorded, it is reasonable to conclude that they obeyed the other commands as well.

  • Hebrews 12:18–22 compares this event at Mount Sinai with the believer’s experience at Mount Zion, which it calls “the heavenly Jerusalem.”

Events

Glossary

Book of Exodus Covenant Criminal Law and Punishment Deuteronomy, Book of Glory History of Israel John the Baptist Miracle Mount Sinai Mount, Mountain

Topics

Fear of God: Cultivated Israel: Sanctify Themselves for Receiving the Law Sinai: A Mountain in the Peninsula East of the Red Sea: The Law Delivered to Moses Upon Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To