The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
Parallel translations
- WEB and so fearful was the appearance that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”
- KJV And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
- NKJV And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)
- NASB And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”
- NLT Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The scene was so terrifying that even Moses said, "I am terrified and trembling." Sinai filled even the mediator with fear.
Overview
The author notes that the manifestation at Sinai was so awesome that Moses himself confessed terror. That even the great mediator trembled highlights the dread surrounding the giving of the law. By contrast, believers come to God through Christ, a better mediator, not in trembling fear but with confidence granted by his blood (12:24).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Exod 19:16On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
- Deut 9:19For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had directed against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me this time as well.
- Isa 6:3–5And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”
- Rev 1:17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,
- Exod 19:19And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.
- Ps 119:120My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
- Dan 10:17How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”
- Dan 10:8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 12:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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