There shall not a hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned or shot thorow, whether it be beast, or man, it shall not liue: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come vp to the mount. Exodus 19:13 (KJV)
This verse belongs to the Exodus narrative that records the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai. In the passage God instructs Moses concerning the strict boundaries that must be observed around the mountain before the divine revelation and the giving of the Ten Commandments. The command, “There shall not an hand touch it,” makes clear that no person or animal may touch or cross the designated perimeter of the holy mountain. The prohibition underscores the sanctity and holiness of God’s presence and serves as a warning against approaching the mountain without divine permission.
The text then states the penalty for transgression: anyone who violates the command “shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live.” The severe punishment—stoning or being shot (or arrowed) through—highlights the seriousness of disregarding God’s instructions and acts as a deterrent to ensure obedience.
A separate section of Exodus (verses 16‑19) describes the sounding of a long trumpet blast. That trumpet signal marks the moment when the people are to ascend the mountain, indicating that Moses and the Israelites are called to approach the mountain to receive God’s instructions and the revelation of His laws. The trumpet therefore functions as a divine cue for the community to gather at the appointed time.
Overall, Exodus 19:13 emphasizes the importance of respecting the boundaries set by God, the grave consequences of disobedience, and the need for reverence when approaching God’s presence. It calls the people to obedience, highlighting that holiness demands both respect for divine limits and readiness to heed the signals that accompany God’s covenantal revelations.
