Hebrews 12:21

Hebrews 12:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
• New International Version (NIV)The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear."
• New King James Version (NKJV)And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)

Context of Hebrews 12:21

19to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. 20For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels 23in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Hebrews 12:21 word by word

καὶ οὕτω φοβερὸν ἦν τὸ φανταζόμενον, Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν· ἔκφοβός εἰμι καὶ ἔντρομος·Read the interlinear

• Theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• sightφαντάζωphantazō · to make visibleG5324
• wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• terrifyingφοβερόςphoberos · fearfulG5398
• evenκαίkai · andG2532
• MosesΜωϋσῆς, ΜωσῆςMōseus Mōsēs Mōusēs · MosesG3475
• saidεἶπονepō · to sayG2036
• tremblingἔντρομοςentromos · tremblingG1790
• with fearἔκφοβοςekphobos · terrifiedG1630

Cross-references for Hebrews 12:21

• Exodus 19:16On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
• Psalms 119:120My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
• Isaiah 6:3And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”
• Daniel 10:8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.
• Revelation 1:17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

Commentaries on Hebrews 12:21

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said … - This is not recorded in the account of the giving of the Law in Exodus, and it has been made a question on what authority the apostle made this declaration respecting Moses. In Deuteronomy 9:19, Moses indeed says, of himself, after he had come down from the mountain, and had broken the two tables of stone that were in his hand, that he was greatly afraid of the anger of the Lord on account of the sin of…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. 2121. the sight--the vision of God's majesty. quake--Greek, "I am in trembling"; "fear" affected his mind: "trembling," his body. Moses is not recorded in Exodus to have used these words. But Paul, by inspiration, supplies (compare Ac 20:35; 2Ti 3:8) this detail. We read in De 9:19, Septuagint, of similar words used by Moses after breaking the two tables, through fear of God's anger at the people's sin in making the golden calves. He doubtless similarly…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 12:21

• Covenant
• Fear of God
• God
• Vision

In the dictionaries

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

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