Exodus 19:13
ESV
No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain."
NIV
They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain."
NASB
No hand shall touch him, but he shall certainly be stoned or shot through; whether animal or person, the violator shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.'
CSB
No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows and not live, whether animal or human. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain."
NLT
No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.’ However, when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain. '
KJV
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.
NKJV
Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.”
What does Exodus 19:13 mean?
Holiness is a spiritual and moral distinction from the rest of the world. Absolute holiness is one of God's most fundamental attributes. Many of the laws God gave Israel were real-world symbols of that separation (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Kings 8:53). Here, the nation is preparing to receive the Mosaic covenant (Exodus 19:5–6). Part of their preparation is washing (Exodus 19:10, 14) and abstinence (Exodus 10:15). Another is setting aside Mount Sinai entirely for this important moment (Exodus 19:12).Anything that touches the mountain without God's direct invitation (Exodus 19:20, 24) is to be punished with death. Separation even extends to the method of execution: stoning and arrows rather than direct contact. These initial revelations of God's laws underscore the Lord's awesome power and sovereignty (Exodus 19:16; Hebrews 12:18–21).
At a signal from God, the people will assemble at the foot of Sinai.
