Hebrews 12:19
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voyce of wordes, which voyce they that heard, entreated that the word should not bee spoken to them any more. Hebrews 12:19 (KJV)
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words;
which
voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: Hebrews 12:19 (KJV)
The sentence quoted does not appear in the canonical text of Hebrews 12:19 or elsewhere in Hebrews 12:18‑24; it seems to be a paraphrase of the Israelites’ reaction recorded in Exodus. Nevertheless, the surrounding passage in Hebrews 12:18‑24 clearly contrasts the Old Covenant given at Mount Sinai with the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, and the author draws on the dramatic events at Sinai to make his point.
The “sound of a trumpet” refers to the awe‑inspiring manifestation of God’s presence when He descended upon Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:16 describes thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a loud trumpet blast that signaled the people to prepare for encountering God. This dramatic sound underscored the holiness of the moment.
The “voice of words” alludes to God’s audible proclamation of the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:1 records God speaking the commandments directly to the Israelites, an experience that caused them to tremble in fear because they were hearing the divine voice itself.
Their response, as recorded in Exodus 20:18‑19, was one of terror. The people begged Moses to act as an intermediary, pleading, “Let us hear your voice, but do not let the LORD speak directly to us, lest we die.” This fearful reaction highlights the distance between God and the people under the Old Covenant.
The author of Hebrews uses this historical episode to illustrate the superiority of the New Covenant. While the Israelites approached God with fear and trembling, believers in Christ can now approach God’s throne with confidence and boldness because Jesus’ perfect sacrifice has removed the barrier of fear. The contrast emphasizes that, through faith in Jesus, we are invited to draw near to God, not as a terrified crowd, but as beloved children granted access to His presence.
