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’s blast, and to a voice. When your ancestors heard that voice, they begged not to hear it say another word. 20They couldn’t obey the command that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said he was trembling and afraid. 22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to tens of thousands of angels joyfully gathered together 23and to the assembly of God’s firstborn children (whose names are written in heaven). You have come to a judge (the God of all people) and to the spirits of people who have God’s approval and have gained eternal life.

Hebrews 12:21 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• terribleφοβερόςphoberos · fearfulG5398
• wasεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• the sightφαντάζωphantazō · to make visibleG5324
• MosesΜωϋσῆς, ΜωσῆςMōseus Mōsēs Mōusēs · MosesG3475
• saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• exceedingly fearἔκφοβοςekphobos · terrifiedG1630
• quakeἔντρομοςentromos · tremblingG1790
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588

Cross-references for Hebrews 12:21

• Exodus 19:16On the morning of the second day, there was thunder and lightning with a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram’s horn ⌞was heard⌟. All the people in the camp shook with fear.
• Psalms 119:120My body shudders in fear of you, and I am afraid of your regulations.
• Isaiah 6:3They called to each other and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory.”
• Daniel 10:8So I was left alone to see this grand vision. I had no strength left in me. My face turned deathly pale, and I was helpless.
• Revelation 1:17When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. Then he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t 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