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Hebrews 12:19

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 12:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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;
Hebrews 12:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16lest [there be] any fornication, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright.
17For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [in his father,] though he sought is diligently with tears.
18For ye are not come unto [a mount] that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19and 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;
20for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;
21and so fearful was the appearance, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:
22but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,
← Hebrews 12:18Hebrews 12:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the sound of a trumpet, etc..] (<021916>Exodus 19:16,19 20:18), which made it still more awful, as the sound of the trumpet will at the last day: and the voice of words; of the ten words, or decalogue; which was as an articulate voice, formed by angels; and, therefore, the law is called the word spoken by angels, (<580202>Hebrews 2:2) and is represented, as the voice of God himself, (<022001>Exodus 20:1) who made use of the ministry of angels to deliver the law to Moses; “which” voice is called µyrbd lwq, “the voice of words”, in (<050412>Deuteronomy 4:12), and this voice, they that heard, entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: fearing that they should die;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“trumpet--to rouse attention, and herald God's approach (Exo 19:16). entreated that the word should not be spoken--literally, "that speech should not be added to them"; not that they refused to hear the word of God, but they wished that God should not Himself speak, but employ Moses as His mediating spokesman. "The voice of words" was the Decalogue, spoken by God Himself, a voice issuing forth, without any form being seen: after which "He added no more" (Deu 5:22).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the voice of a trumpet - Exodus 19:19. The sound of the trumpet amidst the tempest was suited to increase the terror of the scene. And the voice of words - Spoken by God; Exodus 19:19. It is easy to conceive what must have been the awe produced by a voice uttered from the midst of the tempest so distinct as to be heard by the hundreds of thousands of Israel, when the speaker was invisible. Which voice they that heard ... - Exodus 20:18-19. It was so fearful and overpowering that the people earnestly prayed that if they must be addressed, it might he by the familiar voice of Moses and not by the awful voice of the Deity. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The sound of a trumpet - Formed, without doubt, by the ministry of angels, and preparatory to the words, that is, the Ten Commandments, which were uttered with a loud voice, Deu 5:22. Hebrews 12:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:19 The awesome trumpet blast and a voice terrified the people (see Exod 19:16, 19; 20:18; Deut 4:12) so that they begged God to stop speaking (Exod 20:19).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the sound: Exo 19:16-19; Co1 15:52; Th1 4:16 and the voice: Exod. 20:1-17, Exo 20:22; Deu 4:12, Deu 4:33, 5:3-22 they that: Exo 20:18, Exo 20:19; Deu 5:24-27, Deu 18:16 Hebrews 12:20”
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Related study paths

Read Hebrews 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification