Exodus 19:12

12 And let limits be marked out for the people round the mountain, and say to them, Take care not to go up the mountain or near the sides of it: whoever puts his foot on the mountain will certainly come to his death:

Exodus 19:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 19:12

And thou shall set bounds to the people round about
That is, round about the mountain, by drawing a line, throwing up a foss or ditch, or else by laying up heaps of stones or sand, which might be come at easily, or bushes and branches of trees, which grew thick on the mount, from whence it had its name; but be it what will that were used, these were to signify, that so far the people might go, but no further, which their curiosity might prompt them to:

saying, take heed unto yourselves that ye go not up into the mount;
so far were they from being allowed to go up to the top of it, that they were not allowed to ascend it at all, or to go any further than where the ascent or rise began; it was at their peril to ascend, and this was what they were to take heed unto, lest they incurred danger:

or touch the border of it;
it being the mountain of God, and relatively holy through his presence on it:

whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death;
which severe law was made to deter them from any attempt to go up the mountain, since it was death even to touch it, see ( Hebrews 12:18 ) .

Exodus 19:12 In-Context

10 And the Lord said to Moses, Go to the people and make them holy today and tomorrow, and let their clothing be washed.

11 And by the third day let them be ready: for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai, before the eyes of all the people.

12 And let limits be marked out for the people round the mountain, and say to them, Take care not to go up the mountain or near the sides of it: whoever puts his foot on the mountain will certainly come to his death:

13 He is not to be touched by a hand, but is to be stoned or have an arrow put through him; man or beast, he is to be put to death: at the long sounding of a horn they may come up to the mountain.

14 Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and made the people holy; and their clothing was washed.