Exodus 19:13

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether [it be] beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

Complete Jewish Bible:

No hand is to touch him; for he must be stoned or shot by arrows; neither animal nor human will be allowed to live.' When the shofar sounds, they may go up on the mountain."

Berean Standard Bible:

No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

American Standard Version:

no hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, he shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

There shall not an hand^{H3027} touch^{H5060} it, but he shall surely^{H5619} be stoned^{H5619}, or^{H176} shot^{H3384} through^{H3384}; whether it be beast^{H929} or^{H518} man^{H376}, it shall not live^{H2421}: when the trumpet^{H3104} soundeth long^{H4900}, they shall come up^{H5927} to the mount^{H2022}.

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Commentary for Exodus 19:13

Exodus 19:13 is a verse that occurs within the narrative of the Israelites' encounter with God at Mount Sinai, shortly before God gives Moses the Ten Commandments. This verse is part of a set of instructions that Moses receives from God regarding how the people should prepare to meet with God on the mountain. The themes present in this verse include holiness, respect for divine authority, and the consequences of disobedience.

In the historical context, the Israelites have recently been freed from slavery in Egypt and are in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. At Mount Sinai, God is about to establish a covenant with them, which will include the Law that will shape their society and religious practices.

The specific command in Exodus 19:13 is a stark warning that sets the boundary for the sacred space of the mountain. The phrase "There shall not an hand touch it" refers to Mount Sinai, indicating that no one is to violate the sanctity of the mountain by physically contacting it. The severe penalties for trespassing—"he shall surely be stoned, or shot through"—highlight the seriousness with which the Israelites are to regard this command. The inclusion of "whether [it be] beast or man" emphasizes that the prohibition applies universally, to all living creatures, and that the consequence of disobedience is death.

The final part of the verse, "when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount," transitions from the dire warning to the process by which the people are to approach the mountain. The long sound of the trumpet serves as a signal, indicating that it is safe and proper for the people to ascend the mountain to meet with God. This moment is one of intense anticipation and preparation, as the people ready themselves to hear the voice of God.

Overall, Exodus 19:13 underscores the gravity of approaching the divine presence and the importance of obeying God's commands. It reflects the broader themes of the book of Exodus, which include deliverance, covenant, law, and the unique relationship between God and the nation of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5060
   There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַע
   Transliteration: nâgaʻ
   Pronunciation: naw-gah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.); beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5619
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָקַל
   Transliteration: çâqal
   Pronunciation: saw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation); (cast, gather out, throw) stone(-s), [idiom] surely.
   
4. Strong's Number: H176
   There are 110 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוֹ
   Transliteration: ʼôw
   Pronunciation: o
   Description: presumed to be the 'constructive' or genitival form of אַו ; short for אַוָּה; desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if; also, and, either, if, at the least, [idiom] nor, or, otherwise, then, whether.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3384
   There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרָה
   Transliteration: yârâh
   Pronunciation: yaw-raw'
   Description: or (2 Chronicles 26:15) יָרָא; a primitive root; properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach; ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.
   
6. Strong's Number: H929
   There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּהֵמָה
   Transliteration: bᵉhêmâh
   Pronunciation: be-hay-maw'
   Description: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective); beast, cattle.
   
7. Strong's Number: H518
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִם
   Transliteration: ʼim
   Pronunciation: eem
   Description: a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not; (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet.
   
8. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
9. Strong's Number: H2421
   There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָיָה
   Transliteration: châyâh
   Pronunciation: khaw-yaw'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָוָה, חָיָה); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive; keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3104
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹבֵל
    Transliteration: yôwbêl
    Pronunciation: yo-bale'
    Description: or יֹבֵל; apparently from יָבַל; the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus introduced; jubile, ram's horn, trumpet.
    
11. Strong's Number: H4900
    There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָשַׁךְ
    Transliteration: mâshak
    Pronunciation: maw-shak'
    Description: a primitive root; to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.); draw (along, out), continue, defer, extend, forbear, [idiom] give, handle, make (pro-, sound) long, [idiom] sow, scatter, stretch out.
    
12. Strong's Number: H5927
    There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָלָה
    Transliteration: ʻâlâh
    Pronunciation: aw-law'
    Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
    
13. Strong's Number: H2022
    There are 485 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: הַר
    Transliteration: har
    Pronunciation: har
    Description: a shortened form of הָרָר; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion.