Exo 19:12-13 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 12. Thou shalt set bounds ] Whether this was a line marked out on the ground, beyond which they were not to go, or whether a fence was actually made to keep them off, we cannot tell; or whether this fence was made all round the mountain, or only at that part to which one wing of the camp extended, is not evident. This verse strictly forbids the people from coming near and touching Mount Sinai, which was burning with FIRE. The words therefore in , al tiggeshu el ishshah , come not at your wives, seem rather to mean, come not near unto the FIRE ; especially as the other phrase is not at all probable: but the fire is, on this occasion, spoken of so emphatically (see ) that we are naturally led to consider ishshah here as ha-esh transposed , or to say, with Simon in his Lexicon, faem , idem quod masc . ignis . So among other instances, we have and a wing ; and light ; and strength ; and and a speech .-Burt. See KENNICOTT'S Remarks . Whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death ] The place was awfully sacred, because the dreadful majesty of God was displayed on it. And this taught them that God is a consuming fire, and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

‏ Exodus 19:12-13

Verse 12. Thou shalt set bounds] Whether this was a line marked out on the ground, beyond which they were not to go, or whether a fence was actually made to keep them off, we cannot tell; or whether this fence was made all round the mountain, or only at that part to which one wing of the camp extended, is not evident.

This verse strictly forbids the people from coming near and touching Mount Sinai, which was burning with FIRE. The words therefore in Ex 19:15, al tiggeshu el ishshah, come not at your wives, seem rather to mean, come not near unto the FIRE; especially as the other phrase is not at all probable: but the fire is, on this occasion, spoken of so emphatically (see De 5:4, 5, 22-25) that we are naturally led to consider ishshah here as ha-esh transposed, or to say, with Simon in his Lexicon, faem, idem quod masc. ignis. So among other instances, we have and a wing; and light; and strength; and and a speech.-Burt. See KENNICOTT'S Remarks.

Whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death] The place was awfully sacred, because the dreadful majesty of God was displayed on it. And this taught them that God is a consuming fire, and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Verse 13. There shall not a hand touch it] bo, HIM, not the mountain, but the man who had presumed to touch the mountain. He should be considered altogether as an unclean and accursed thing, not to be touched for fear of conveying defilement; but should be immediately stoned or pierced through with a dart, Heb 12:20.