Keraia
Exodus 19

Exodus 19:13

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

Translations

Modern
No 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.”
Traditional
There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
Literal
A hand shall not touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or he shall be shot through, whether beast or man—he shall not live.’ At the drawing out of the horn, they shall go up on the mountain.”
Latin
Manus non tanget eum, sed lapidibus opprimetur, aut confodietur jaculis: sive jumentum fuerit, sive homo, non vivet: cum cœperit clangere buccina, tunc ascendant in montem.

Original

Hebrew
English
No 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.”

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

Beast 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 Stoning to Death Stoning: Capital Punishment By The Law of Moses: None to Approach the Mount While God Gave Trumpet used at Mount Sinai Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To