Devine Scripture

Hebrews 12:19

What does Hebrews 12:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 12:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 12:19 means

The terrifying soundscape at Sinai included a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words so overwhelming that the hearers begged for no more. The revelation was true and holy, but it exposed human sinfulness and inability to bear God’s direct command. The people’s plea shows the limits of that encounter—it produced distance and dread. The verse enhances the sense of awe and fear that characterized the old covenant’s inauguration. It prepares the reader to appreciate the gracious accessibility of the new covenant, where God still speaks, but through a Mediator whose blood brings us near rather than drives us away.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to the sound of a horn, and the voice of words, the hearers of which made request that not a word more might be said to them:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and a sound of a trumpet, and a voice of sayings, which those having heard did entreat that a word might not be added to them,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which they that had excused themselves, that the word might not be spoken to them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and trumpet's sound, and voice of words; which they that heard, excusing themselves, declined [the] word being addressed to them any more:

Context

Continuing the Sinai scene introduced in verse 18, this verse recalls the auditory terror and the people’s request to halt further speech. The next verses (vv. 20–21) will add the strict prohibition and even Moses’ fear. Building this crescendo of dread sets up the striking alternative introduced in verse 22—Zion’s festal, welcoming reality. The flow aims to deepen gratitude for what believers have come to in Christ by first remembering Sinai’s unapproachable majesty.

v.18For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

v.19This passage

v.20for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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 Jehovah spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of words, but ye saw no form; only ye heard a voice.

  • Deuteronomy 5:3

    Jehovah made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.

  • Exodus 20:1

    And God spake all these words, saying,

  • Deuteronomy 4:33

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

  • Deuteronomy 18:16

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

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