King James Version

What Does Exodus 19:13 Mean?

Exodus 19:13 in the King James Version says “There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall n... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. trumpet: or, cornet

Exodus 19:13 · KJV


Context

11

And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

12

And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:

13

There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. trumpet: or, cornet

14

And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15

And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.

Even the executioner cannot touch the violator—the contamination is so severe that stoning or shooting from distance is required. The impartiality ('beast or man') shows holiness violations transcend intent—even an unwitting animal crossing the boundary dies. This underscores holiness as objective reality, not subjective feeling. The extended trumpet blast (הַיֹּבֵל, hayovel) signals when boundaries lift—God Himself determines when approach is safe. The trumpet connects to the ram's horn (yovel = jubilee), pointing forward to ultimate liberation. When Christ the Mediator comes, the trumpet sounds and we CAN approach—but only through Him.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The severity of these measures is unprecedented in ancient covenant ceremonies. The use of rams' horns (shofars) for sacred announcements becomes a lasting feature of Israelite worship and eschatological imagery (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why must even animals that touch the mountain die—what does this teach about holiness?
  2. How does the trumpet blast that permits approach to the mountain foreshadow gospel access to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
לֹֽא1 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִגַּ֨ע2 of 21

touch

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

בּ֜וֹ3 of 21
H0
יָ֗ד4 of 21

There shall not an hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כִּֽי5 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִסָּקֵל֙6 of 21

be stoned

H5619

properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)

יִסָּקֵל֙7 of 21

be stoned

H5619

properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)

אֽוֹ8 of 21

or

H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

יִיָּרֶ֔ה9 of 21

shot

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

יִיָּרֶ֔ה10 of 21

shot

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

אִם11 of 21

or

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בְּהֵמָ֥ה12 of 21

whether it be beast

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

אִם13 of 21

or

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אִ֖ישׁ14 of 21

man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לֹ֣א15 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִֽחְיֶ֑ה16 of 21

it shall not live

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

בִּמְשֹׁךְ֙17 of 21

soundeth long

H4900

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

הַיֹּבֵ֔ל18 of 21

when the trumpet

H3104

the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i

הֵ֖מָּה19 of 21
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יַֽעֲל֥וּ20 of 21

they shall come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בָהָֽר׃21 of 21

to the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 19:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 19:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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