Exodus 19:12

12 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.

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 down and solemnly charge the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their garments.

11 And let them be ready against the third day, for on the third day the Lord will descend upon mount Sina before all the people.

12 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.

13 A hand shall not touch it, for shall be stoned with stones or shot through with a dart, whether beast or whether man, it shall not live: when the voices and trumpets and cloud depart from off the mountain, they shall come up on the mountain.

14 And Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified them, and they washed their clothes.