Hebrews 12:20

Hebrews 12:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
• New International Version (NIV)because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned."
• New King James Version (NKJV)(For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”

Context of Hebrews 12:20

18For you have not come [as did the Israelites in the wilderness] to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to gloom and darkness and a raging windstorm, 19and to the blast of a trumpet and a sound of words [such that] those who heard it begged that nothing more be said to them. For they could not bear the command, “If even a wild animal touches the mountain, it will be stoned [to death].” 21In fact, so terrifying was the sight, that Moses said, “I am filled with fear and trembling.” 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering],

Hebrews 12:20 word by word

οὐκ ἔφερον γὰρ τὸ διαστελλόμενον· κἂν θηρίον θίγῃ τοῦ ὄρους, λιθοβοληθήσεταιRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• they couldφέρωpherō̄ · to bear/leadG5342
• notοὐou · noG3756
• that which was commandedδιαστέλλωdiastellomai · to give ordersG1291
• And if so much asκἄνkan · and/even ifG2579
• a beastθηρίονthērion · wild animalG2342
• touchθιγγάνωthigganō · to touchG2345
• the mountainὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the mountainὄροςoros · mountainG3735
• it shall be stonedλιθοβολέωlithoboleō · to stoneG3036
• orἤē · orG2228
• thrust throughκατατοξεύωkatatoxeuō · to shoot downG2700
• with a dartβολίςbolis · arrowG1002

Cross-references for Hebrews 12:20

• Deuteronomy 33:2He said, “The Lord came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from among ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand was a flaming fire, a law, for them.
• Romans 3:19Now we know that whatever the Law [of Moses] says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the excuses of] every mouth may be silenced [from protesting] and that all the world may be held accountable to God [and subject to His judgment].
• Galatians 2:19For through the Law I died to the Law and its demands on me [because salvation is provided through the death and resurrection of Christ], so that I might [from now on] live to God.
• Galatians 3:10For all who depend on the Law [seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals] are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed (condemned to destruction) is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, so as to practice them.”
• Exodus 19:13No hand shall touch him [that is, no one shall try to save the guilty party], but the offender must be stoned or shot through [with arrows]; whether man or animal [that touches the mountain], he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”

Commentaries on Hebrews 12:20

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For they could not endure that which was commanded - They could not sustain the awe produced by the fact that God uttered his commands himself. The meaning is not that the commands themselves were intolerable, but that the manner in which they were communicated inspired a terror which they could not bear. They feared that they should die; Exodus 20:19. And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned - Exodus 19:13. The prohibition was…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-29Verses 18-29 Mount Sinai, on which the Jewish church state was formed, was a mount such as might be touched, though forbidden to be so, a place that could be felt; so the Mosaic dispensation was much in outward and earthly things. The gospel state is kind and condescending, suited to our weak frame. Under the gospel all may come with boldness to God's presence. But the most holy must despair, if judged by the holy law given from Sinai, without a Saviour…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-24This passage compares the old covenant with the new one. The old covenant is represented by Mount Sinai (12:18–21). It was impersonal, frightening, and unapproachable. The mountain shook with loud sounds, flashes of light, and fearful power. The new covenant is represented by Mount Zion (12:22–24). It is personal, welcoming, and joyful.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. that which was commanded--"the interdict" [Tittmann]. A stern interdictory mandate is meant. And--rather, "Even if a beast (much more a man) touch," &c. or thrust through with a dart--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. The full interdict in Ex 19:12, 13 is abbreviated here; the beast alone, being put for "whether man or beast"; the stoning, which applies to the human offender, alone being specified, the beast's punishment, namely, the being thrust…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 12:20

• Covenant
• Fear of God
• God
• Vision

In the dictionaries

• Acceptably
• Aside
• Birthright
• Bitterness
• Carefully
• Chastening
• Cloud
• Contradiction
• Endure
• Finisher

Commentaries on Hebrews 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings