What does Hebrews 12:21 mean?

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) Hebrews 12:21

Explanation

The verse Hebrews 12:21 is a reference to the experience of Moses during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. In the context of Hebrews chapter 12, the author is contrasting the terrifying experience of God’s revelation at Sinai with the new covenant experience of Christians who have come to “Mount Zion, the city of the living God” (Hebrews 12:22). The verse highlights Moses’ fear in the face of God’s awesome and fearful presence. The writer of Hebrews uses this historical event to remind the readers that they have not come to a physical mountain with fire and darkness but to a spiritual reality filled with grace and hope.

Historical Context

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament scriptures and the historical event of Mount Sinai. The giving of the Law, or the Torah, to Moses, is a foundational event in Jewish history, described in the book of Exodus in the Old Testament. It involves dramatic phenomena, including thunder, lightning, trumpet blasts, and a smoking mountain, which all emphasized the holiness and power of God. The account served as a background for the writer of Hebrews to draw a comparison between the old and new covenants.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Hebrews 12:21 underscores the dread and terror associated with the encounter with God’s holiness under the old covenant. This fear was due to the sinfulness of mankind and the holiness of God. The law revealed sin but did not remove it. However, Hebrews pivots to the new covenant, presenting Jesus as the mediator of a better covenant that is built on his sacrificial death and resurrection, offering believers direct access to God without the same fear that Moses experienced. Here, the fear of God takes on a new dimension as reverence and awe for his grace rather than terror of judgment.

Practical Applications

For believers today, Hebrews 12:21 can be seen as an encouragement to approach God with reverence but without the paralyzing fear that comes from judgment. Christians can take comfort in the fact that through Christ, they are made righteous and can approach God as their Father. This implies that the believer is called to a life of holiness, gratitude, and worship, respecting God’s holiness but also embracing his mercy and grace.

Cross-References

• Exodus 19:16: “And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.”
• Deuteronomy 9:19: “For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the Lord was wroth against you to destroy you. But the Lord hearkened unto me at that time also.”
• Hebrews 12:18-19: “For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,”
• Hebrews 12:28-29: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”

Language Study

The key phrase in this verse is “I exceedingly fear and quake.” The original Greek term for “exceedingly fear” is “ἔκφοβος” (ekphobos), which means to be exceedingly or terrifyingly frightened, and “quake” translates from “ἔντρομος” (entromos), meaning to tremble or to be terrified. Both words express a very strong emotion of fear and terror that is more acute than ordinary fear.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, including the Israelite culture of Moses’ time, theophanies or divine appearances were often accompanied by natural phenomena and were seen as profound, fearful, and awe-inspiring events. For example, in ancient Greek mythology, encounters with gods often provoked fear and trembling among mortals. In other ancient Near Eastern religions, gods were seen as powerful and fearsome, and their manifestations could be terrifying.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science might explain the phenomena described at Sinai, like thunder, lightning, and smoke, as natural occurrences possibly associated with volcanic activity. However, from a theological standpoint, these natural signs were interpreted as manifestations of the divine presence. While science can describe the phenomena, the religious interpretation gives them meaning within the context of a theophany.

commentaries

Various Bible commentators have provided insights on Hebrews 12:21:

• Matthew Henry viewed this fear as an indication of the greatness and holiness of God, which should make the sinful man afraid.
• John Wesley emphasized the appropriateness of the fear in light of the majesty of God.
• More recent scholars like F.F. Bruce note the contrast between the terror of Sinai and the joy of Zion in the Christian experience.
• William Barclay suggested that the intention of the writer of Hebrews was to show that the Christian experience is much less terrifying and more gracious than that of the old covenant.