And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)
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:)
- BSB The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
- 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 it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
- Deut 9:19For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which Yahweh was angry against you to destroy you. But Yahweh listened to me that time also.
- Isa 6:3–5One called to another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!”
- Rev 1:17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last,
- Exod 19:19When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.
- Ps 119:120My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN
- Dan 10:17For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me.
- Dan 10:8So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
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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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