Hebrews 12:19

And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

And {G2532} the sound {G2279} of a trumpet {G4536}, and {G2532} the voice {G5456} of words {G4487}; which {G3739} voice they that heard {G191} intreated {G3868} that the word {G3056} should {G4369} not {G3361} be spoken {G4369} to them {G846} any more {G3361}:

to the sound of a shofar, and to a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further message be given to them —

to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken.

and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;

Commentary on Hebrews 12:19 (KJV)

This verse is part of a passage contrasting the terrifying experience of the Israelites at Mount Sinai (representing the Old Covenant) with the inviting access believers have to God through Christ at Mount Zion (representing the New Covenant).

Historical and Cultural Context

The author is referencing the events described in Exodus 19 and Exodus 20 when God descended upon Mount Sinai to give the Law. The scene was designed to impress upon the Israelites the holiness of God and the seriousness of His covenant. It involved thunder, lightning, smoke, a trembling mountain, and the overwhelming sound of a trumpet, culminating in God's own voice speaking the commandments.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Terror of Sinai: The overwhelming natural phenomena and the direct voice of God were so awe-inspiring and terrifying that the people were filled with dread.
  • The Desire for Mediation: The phrase "intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more" highlights the Israelites' fear and their plea for God to speak through Moses rather than directly to them (Exodus 20:19, Deuteronomy 18:16). This underscores the distance and fear associated with approaching a holy God under the Law without a mediator.
  • Preparation for Contrast: This vivid description of Sinai's terror serves to heighten the contrast with the gracious and accessible approach to God offered through Jesus Christ under the New Covenant, described in the subsequent verses.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "intreated" is paretēsanto (παρετήσαντο), which means to beg off, deprecate, or ask to be excused from. It strongly conveys their desperate desire to avoid the direct hearing of God's voice due to the intense fear it caused.

Cross-references

Practical Application

Understanding the terror of Sinai helps us grasp the incredible privilege we have in the New Covenant. We are invited to approach God not with fear and trembling based on our own merit or the demands of the Law, but with confidence and boldness through the finished work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22). We hear God's voice in the loving invitation of His Son, not in the terrifying pronouncements of unmediated law.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 18:16

    According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:52

    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

  • Deuteronomy 4:12

    And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only [ye heard] a voice.

  • Exodus 20:1

    ¶ And God spake all these words, saying,

  • Exodus 20:19

    And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.

  • Deuteronomy 4:33

    Did [ever] people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

  • Deuteronomy 5:3

    The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, [even] us, who [are] all of us here alive this day.

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