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:
• 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.”
• New Living Translation (NLT)They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”

Context of Hebrews 12:20

18You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

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 over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.
• Romans 3:19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
• Galatians 2:19“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.
• Galatians 3:10For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
• Exodus 19:13They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach 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