Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 12:20

"for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;" — Hebrews 12:20 (ASV)

The fearfulness of the giving of the law on Sinai is brought out with reference to one of the commands laid on the people, namely, that neither humans nor animals should even touch the mountain under penalty of death . The command that nothing touch it indicates the holiness and separateness of the mountain. Killing by stoning (or by arrows) was prescribed so that those taking part would not touch the mountain themselves.