Exodus 19:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death.

NIV: Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.

NASB: But you shall set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘ Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall certainly be put to death.

CSB: Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death.

NLT: Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death.

KJV: And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

NKJV: You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

God's appearance at Mount Sinai is meant to inspire a sense of reverent awe (Proverbs 1:7). Fire, lightning, smoke, trumpets, thunder, and earthquakes are vivid demonstrations (Exodus 19:16; Hebrews 12:18–21). God's holiness is an essential aspect of His nature. To be "holy" is to be distinguished from the rest of the world, especially in moral righteousness. Many Mosaic laws exist specifically to create distinctions between Israel and other nations (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Kings 8:53).

Another strong demonstration of God's holiness is His command that no one—other than those He specifically calls (Exodus 19:20, 24)—may even touch Mount Sinai during this time. That space is to be absolutely and completely set apart for this special purpose. Even animals are not allowed there, on pain of death (Exodus 19:13). The distinction is so strong that those who violate it cannot even be touched—they are to be executed from a distance. When God sounds a loud, long note from a trumpet, the people will assemble at the foot of Sinai but will not go on it (Exodus 19:17).

Exodus 19:1–15 records God's instructions to Israel at the base of Mount Sinai, also referred to as "the mountain of God" or Horeb. The Lord tells Israel He is going to make them a special nation; this means establishing a covenant with the people. God will meet with Moses only. No man, woman, or animal may otherwise touch the mountain where God comes down.

God instructs the Israelites to prepare for His arrival on Mount Sinai in Horeb. They are to be clean and careful not to come onto the mountain itself. When God appears, He arrives amidst smoke, fire, lightning, earthquakes, and noise. Moses travels to the mountaintop and back, relaying messages about God's will. The first and most important of these are the fundamental principles of Old Testament law: the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–21).

Prior chapters in the book of Exodus described Israel's history after Jacob and his family settled there (Genesis 46:27; 47:10). God used Moses to deliver divine messages and as a conduit for miraculous power. Once Israel was freed (Exodus 12:40–41), the Lord continued to care for them (Exodus 15:22–25; 16:13–15; 17:6, 8–13). In this chapter, Israel prepares to receive God's Law at Mount Sinai. Almost the entire rest of the book (Exodus 20—40) are details about these commands.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.