Exodus 19:12 And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

◄ Exodus 19:12 ►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
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.

NASB 1995
“You shall set bounds 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 surely be put to death.

NASB 1977
“And you shall set bounds 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 surely be put to death.

Legacy Standard Bible
And you shall set bounds 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 surely be put to death.

Amplified Bible
You shall set barriers for the people all around [the mountain], saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch its border; whoever touches the mountain must be put to death.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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 will be put to death.

American Standard Version
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:

Contemporary English Version
Warn the people that they are forbidden to touch any part of the mountain. Anyone who does will be put to death,

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Mark off a boundary around the mountain for the people, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even touch it. Those who touch the mountain must be put to death.

Good News Translation
Mark a boundary around the mountain that the people must not cross, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even get near it. If any of you set foot on it, you are to be put to death;

International Standard Version
You are to set boundaries for the people all around: 'Be very careful that you don't go up on the mountain or touch the side of it. Anyone who touches the mountain is certainly to be put to death.

Majority Standard Bible
And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ?Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

NET Bible
You must set boundaries for the people all around, saying, 'Take heed to yourselves not to go up on the mountain nor touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death!

New Heart English Bible
You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, 'Be careful that you do not go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt set bounds to the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up upon the mount, or touch the border of it: whoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

World English Bible
You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And you have made a border [for] the people all around, saying, Take heed to yourselves, going up into the mountain or coming against its extremity; whoever is coming against the mountain is certainly put to death;

Young's Literal Translation
And thou hast made a border for the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, going up into the mount, or coming against its extremity; whoever is coming against the mount is certainly put to death;

Smith's Literal Translation
And set bounds to the people round about, saying, Watch for yourselves to go up into the mount, and to touch upon its extremity: every one touching upon the mount, dying, shall die.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt appoint certain limits to the people round about, and thou shalt say to them: Take heed you go not up into the mount, and that ye touch not the borders thereof: every one that toucheth the mount dying he shall die.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you will establish limits for the people all around, and you will say to them: ‘Take care not to ascend to the mountain, and that you do not touch its parts. All who touch the mountain, shall die a death.’

New American Bible
Set limits for the people all around, saying: Take care not to go up the mountain, or even to touch its edge. All who touch the mountain must be put to death.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any who touch the mountain shall be put to death.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you shall publish a warning among the people, saying, Take heed to yourselves, neither go up into the mountain, nor draw near to the border of it; whoever draws near to the mountain shall be put to death:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And raise a testimony among the people and say to them, ‘Beware you will not come up to the mountain and you shall not touch its borders and everyone who touches the mountain will be killed.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt separate the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves that ye go not up into the mountain, nor touch any part of it: every one that touches the mountain shall surely die.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Israel at Mount Sinai
…11and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13No 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.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Hebrews 12:18-21
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...

Joshua 3:4
But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Do not go near it, so that you can see the way to go, since you have never traveled this way before.”

Numbers 18:22
No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

2 Samuel 6:6-7
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. / And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Deuteronomy 5:5
At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

1 Samuel 6:19-20
But God struck down some of the people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down seventy men, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck them with a great slaughter. / The men of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom should the ark go up from here?”

Revelation 4:1-2
After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.” / At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.

Matthew 27:51
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.

2 Chronicles 30:18-20
A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone / who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not cleansed according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.” / And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Acts 7:33
Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.

Ezekiel 44:9
This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.

1 Kings 8:10-11
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

Luke 23:45
The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

Treasury of Scripture

And you shall set bounds to the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that you go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whoever touches the mount shall be surely put to death:

set bounds

Exodus 19:21,23
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish…

Joshua 3:4
Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

take

Exodus 10:28
And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

Exodus 34:12
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

Deuteronomy 2:4
And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:

or touch

Hebrews 12:20,21
(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: …

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Exodus 19

1. The people arrive at Sinai
3. God's message by Moses unto the people out of the mount
8. The people are prepared against the third day, for the giving of the law
12. The mountain must not be touched
16. The fearful presence of God upon the mount

Berean Study Bible

And you are to set up a boundary
In this phrase, the instruction to "set up a boundary" is significant in the context of ancient Israelite practices and the holiness of God. The Hebrew word for "boundary" is "gebul," which implies a physical and spiritual demarcation. This boundary was not merely a physical barrier but a symbol of the separation between the holy and the common. In the ancient Near Eastern context, boundaries were often used to delineate sacred spaces, emphasizing the reverence and respect required when approaching the divine presence.

for the people
The phrase "for the people" indicates that the boundary was not just for the priests or leaders but for the entire community of Israel. This inclusivity underscores the communal nature of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It reflects the idea that all members of the community are called to recognize and respect the holiness of God. Historically, this communal aspect is seen in the way the Israelites were organized around the tabernacle, with each tribe having a specific place, reinforcing the idea of order and reverence in worship.

around the mountain
"Mountain" here refers to Mount Sinai, a place of profound significance in the biblical narrative. Mountains in the ancient world were often seen as places where heaven and earth meet, making them fitting locations for divine encounters. Mount Sinai, in particular, is a symbol of God's revelation and covenant with Israel. The instruction to set a boundary around the mountain highlights the sacredness of the site and the seriousness of the forthcoming divine encounter. Archaeologically, Mount Sinai is traditionally identified with Jebel Musa in the Sinai Peninsula, though its exact location remains a topic of debate.

and tell them
The directive "and tell them" emphasizes the role of Moses as a mediator between God and the people. Moses is to communicate God's instructions clearly, ensuring that the people understand the gravity of the situation. This reflects the broader biblical theme of prophetic mediation, where God uses chosen individuals to convey His will to His people. It also underscores the importance of obedience to divine instruction as a means of maintaining the covenant relationship.

Be careful
The call to "be careful" is a warning that underscores the seriousness of approaching God's holiness. The Hebrew word "shamar" conveys the idea of guarding or keeping watch, suggesting vigilance and attentiveness. This caution is a reminder of the consequences of irreverence or disobedience, as seen in later biblical narratives where individuals who fail to respect God's holiness face dire consequences. It serves as a timeless reminder of the need for reverence in worship and obedience to God's commands.

not to go up the mountain
The prohibition "not to go up the mountain" reinforces the idea of God's holiness and the need for separation between the divine and the human. In the ancient context, ascending a mountain to meet a deity was a common motif, but here, God sets clear boundaries to protect the people from His overwhelming holiness. This restriction highlights the transcendence of God and the need for mediation, which is ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between God and humanity.

or touch its base
The instruction "or touch its base" further emphasizes the sanctity of the mountain. Even the base of the mountain is considered holy, and touching it would be an act of irreverence. This detail underscores the pervasive holiness of God, which extends beyond the immediate presence to the surrounding area. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need for purity and reverence in approaching God, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative and is fulfilled in the New Testament through the sanctifying work of Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) Thou shalt set bounds.--Here was another formal and mechanical direction, having for its object to deepen and intensify the lesson of God's unapproachable majesty and holiness. Moses was required to "set bounds to the people," i.e., to make a substantial fence between the camp and the base of Sinai, which should prevent both animals and men from coming in contact with the mountain. Modern travellers generally observe how abruptly the rocky precipice of Ras Sufsafeh rises from the plain in front of it, so that in many places it is quite possible to stand on the plain and yet touch the mountain. The idea that a line of natural mounds now to be seen near the base of Sinai represents the "bounds" of Moses (Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 43) is unsatisfactory, since the "bounds" of Moses were most certainly artificial ones. It is, however, possible that his "bounds" may have followed the line of the natural barrier.

That ye go not up into the mount.--Unless it had been forbidden, there might have seemed to be no reason why pious Israelites might not have ascended the height, to draw near to God in prayer. It is a praiseworthy feeling which breathes in the words, "Nearer, my God, to thee;" but the nation was not fit for close approach.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Thou shalt set bounds. The erection of a fence or barrier, between the camp and the mountain - not necessarily all round the mountain - seems to be meant. This barrier may have run along the line of low alluvial mounds at the foot of the cliff of Ras Sufsafeh, mentioned by Dean Stanley (Sinai and Palestine, p. 43), but cannot have been identical with them, since it was an artificial fence. That ye go not up into the mount. Curiosity might have tempted some to ascend the mount, if it had not been positively forbidden under the penalty of death; carelessness might have brought many into contact with it, since the cliff rises abruptly from the plain. Unless the fence had been made, cattle would, naturally, have grazed along its base. To impress the Israelites with a due sense of the awful majesty of God, and the sacredness of everything material that it brought into close relations with him, the mount itself was declared holy - none but Moses and Aaron might go up into it; none might touch it; even the stray beast that approached it must suffer death for its unwitting offence (ver. 13). Whosoever toucheth the mount. The mountain may be "touched" from the plain - it rises so abruptly. Shall be surely put to death. A terrible punishment, and one which, to modern ideas, seems excessive. But it was only by terrible threats, and in some cases by terrible punishments (2 Samuel 6:7), that the Israelites could be taught reverence. A profound reverence lies at the root of all true religious feeling; and for the education of the world, it was requisite, in the early ages, to inculcate the necessity of this frame of mind in some very marked and striking way.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And you are to set up a boundary
וְהִגְבַּלְתָּ֤ (wə·hiḡ·bal·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1379: To twist as a, rope, to bound

for the people
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

around [the mountain]
סָבִ֣יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

and tell them,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Be careful
הִשָּׁמְר֥וּ (hiš·šā·mə·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

not to go up
עֲל֥וֹת (‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

on the mountain
בָּהָ֖ר (bā·hār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

or touch
וּנְגֹ֣עַ (ū·nə·ḡō·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

its base.
בְּקָצֵ֑הוּ (bə·qā·ṣê·hū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

Whoever
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

touches
הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ (han·nō·ḡê·a‘)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

the mountain
בָּהָ֖ר (bā·hār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

shall surely
מ֥וֹת (mō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

be put to death.
יוּמָֽת׃ (yū·māṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

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OT Law: Exodus 19:12 You shall set bounds to the people (Exo. Ex)