Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Hebrews 12:21

"and so fearful was the appearance, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:" — Hebrews 12:21 (ASV)

This verse cites a further indication of the awesomeness of the experience at Mount Sinai. At the time of the giving of the law, Moses was the leader of the people. He was known as one who had an especially close relationship with God (Exodus 33:11). Yet even he was terrified. The words quoted are not found in the Sinai narrative but do occur at the time of the golden calf . The author may have had access to a tradition that recorded these words on this occasion. Or he may be including Moses in the general fear spoken of in Ex 20:18. Or possibly he is taking words spoken on one occasion and applying them to another. At any rate, he is picturing an awe-inspiring occasion, one that affected all the people and terrified even Moses, the man of God.