Hebrews 12:21

← Hebrews 12:20 Hebrews 12:22 →

Hebrews 12:21 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the vision was so overpowering that even Moses said, I am shaking and full of fear.

Free Bible Version FBV

The sight was so terrifying that Moses himself said, “I'm so scared I'm shaking!”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And so terrible was the sight which appeared, that Moses said, I feare and quake.)

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and, (so terrible was the sight,) Moses said, 'I am fearful exceedingly, and trembling.'

World English Bible WEB

So fearful was the appearance that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and tremble:)

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And so terrible was that which was seen, Moses said: I am frighted, and tremble.

Translation for Translators T4T

Truly, because Moses was terrified after seeing what happened on the mountain, he said, “I am trembling because I am very afraid!”

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Hebrews 12:21

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Hebrews 12:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK και ουτως φοβερον ην το φανταζομενον μωυσης ειπεν εκφοβος ειμι και εντρομος

και kai G2532 and Conj

ουτως ohutō, ohutōs G3779 thus(-ly) Adv

φοβερον phoberos G5398 fearful Adj-NSN

ην eimi G1510 to be Verb-IAI-3S

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSN

φανταζομενον phantazō G5324 to make visible Verb-PPP-NSN

μωυσης Mōusēs, Mōsēs G3475 Moses Noun-NSM

ειπεν legō G3004 to say Verb-2AAI-3S

εκφοβος ekphobos G1630 terrified Adj-NSM

ειμι eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAI-1S

και kai G2532 and Conj

εντρομος entromos G1790 trembling Adj-NSM

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Hebrews 12:21

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ουτως ohutō, ohutōs G3779 "thus(-ly)" Adv

Thus means in this way or like this, as when Jesus teaches us to pray in Matthew 5:16 and Luke 1:25.

Definition: οὕτως, rarely (Bl., §5, 4; WH, App., 146f.) οὕτω, adv. (οὗτος), [in LXX chiefly for כֵּן ;] in this way, so, thus; __1. referring to what precedes: Mat.5:16 6:30, Mrk.10:43 14:59, Luk.1:25 2:48 15:7, Jhn.3:8, Rom.1:15, 1Co.8:12, al.; οὕτως καί, Mat.17:12, Mrk.13:29, al.; pleonastically, resuming a ptcp. (cl.; see Bl., §74, 6), Act.20:11 27:17. __2. Referring to what follows: Mat.1:18 6:9, Luk.19:31, Jhn.21:1, 1Pe.2:15; bef. quotations from OT, Mat.2:5, Act.7:6, 1Co.15:45, Heb.4:4. __3. C. adj. (marking intensity): Heb.12:21, Rev.16:18; similarly with adv., Gal.1:6 (cl.). __4. As a predicate (Bl., §76, 1): Mat.1:18 9:33, Mrk.2:1, 2 4:26, Rom.4:18 9:20, I Pe 2:15; οὕ ἔχειν (Lat. sic or ita se habere), Act.7:1, al.; ἐκαθέζετο (as he was, without delay or preparation), Jhn.4:6. __5. In comparison, with correlative adv.: καθάπερ . . . οὕ., Rom.12:4, 5 al.; καθὼς . . . οὕ., Luk.11:30, al.; οὕ. . . . καθώς, Luk.24:24, al.; ὡς . . . οὕ., Rom.5:15, al.; οὕ . . . ὡς, Mrk.4:26, al; ὥσπερ . . . οὕ., Mat.12:40, al.; οὕ. . . . οὕ., 1Co.7:7. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 206 NT verses. KJV: after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what See also: 1 Corinthians 2:11; James 3:10; 1 Peter 2:15.

φοβερον phoberos G5398 "fearful" Adj-NSN

Something or someone fearful inspires awe or fear, like God's power in Hebrews 10:27 and 31. It can also describe someone who feels fear or is timid.

Definition: φοβερός, -ά, -όν (φοβέω), [in LXX chiefly for יָרֵא, also for דְּחַל, אָיֹם ;] fearful, whether act, or pass.; __1. act., = δεινός, causing fear, terrible (LXX): Heb.10:27, 31 12:21 __2. Pass., = δειλός, feeling fear, timid (cl. in both senses).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: fearful, terrible See also: Hebrews 10:27; Hebrews 10:31; Hebrews 12:21.

ην eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-IAI-3S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

φανταζομενον phantazō G5324 "to make visible" Verb-PPP-NSN

To make something visible or apparent, like a spectacle, as seen in Hebrews 12:21. This word is used to describe something that becomes visible or appears. In the Bible, it is used to describe a sight or appearance.

Definition: φαντάζω (φαίνω) [in LXX: Wis.6:16, Sir.31:5 (34:5)* ;] to make visible. In cl. used in pass. only, = φαίνομαι, to become visible, appear: ptcp., Heb.12:21.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: sight See also: Hebrews 12:21.

μωυσης Mōusēs, Mōsēs G3475 "Moses" Noun-NSM

Moses was the Hebrew lawgiver, who received the Ten Commandments from God. He is mentioned in Matthew 8:4 and 17:3-4. Moses is a key figure in the Bible.

Definition: Μωυσῆς (Μωϋσῆς, T; Μωσῆς, Rec.), -έως, dative - (as LXX: Exo.5:20, al.), and -εῖ, accusative -ῆν (ac LXX) and -έα (Luk.16:29 only) (Heb. מֹשֶׁה), Moses: Mat.8:4 17:3-4, al.; νόμος Μωυσέως, Luk.2:22 24:44, Jhn.7:23, Act.13:39 15:5 28:23, 1Co.9:9, Heb.10:28; by meton., of the books of Moses, Luk.16:29 24:27, Act.15:21, 2Co.3:15 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 79 NT verses. KJV: Moses See also: 1 Corinthians 9:9; John 5:45; Hebrews 3:2.

ειπεν legō G3004 "to say" Verb-2AAI-3S

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

εκφοβος ekphobos G1630 "terrified" Adj-NSM

Being extremely afraid is what this word describes. It's used in Mark 9:16 and Hebrews 12:21 to show intense fear. The Bible uses it to convey a strong sense of fright.

Definition: ἔκφοβος, -ον [in LXX: ἔ. εἶναι for יָגֹר, Deu.9:19; also 1Ma.13:2 * ;] affrighted, terrified: Mrk.9:16, Heb.12:21.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: sore afraid, exceedingly fear See also: Hebrews 12:21; Mark 9:6.

ειμι eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAI-1S

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

εντρομος entromos G1790 "trembling" Adj-NSM

Trembling means being terrified or shaking with fear, like in Acts 7:32 where the people are afraid.

Definition: ἔν-τρομος, -ον [in LXX: Da TH Dan.10:11 (רָעַד hi.); ἔ. γίγνεσθαι, Psa.18:7 77:18 (רַעַשׁ), Wis.17:10, 1Ma.13:2 * ;] trembling with fear (Pint.): Act.7:32 16:29, Heb.12:21 (ἔκτρ-, WH, mg.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: X quake, X trembled See also: Acts 7:32; Acts 16:29; Hebrews 12:21.

Study Notes — Hebrews 12:21

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Hebrews 12:21 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Hebrews 12:21
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hebrews 12:21
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hebrews 12:21
Trapp's Commentary on Hebrews 12:21
Ellicott's Commentary on Hebrews 12:21
Cambridge Bible on Hebrews 12:21
Barnes' Notes on Hebrews 12:21
Whedon's Commentary on Hebrews 12:21
Sermons on Hebrews 12:21

Context — An Unshakable Kingdom

19to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. 20For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.”

21The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

22Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels 23in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Exodus 19:16	On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled.
2	Deuteronomy 9:19	For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had directed against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me this time as well.
3	Isaiah 6:3–5	And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke. Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”
4	Revelation 1:17	When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,
5	Exodus 19:19	And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.
6	Psalms 119:120	My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
7	Daniel 10:17	How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”
8	Daniel 10:8	So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.

Hebrews 12:21 Summary

The verse Hebrews 12:21 describes a moment when Moses, the leader of the Israelites, was so overcome with fear and trembling that he acknowledged his own limitations and weaknesses in the presence of a holy God. This fear was not a negative emotion, but rather a response to the awe-inspiring power and holiness of God, as seen in Exodus 19:16-25. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn the importance of approaching God with reverence and humility, recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses, and seeking to deepen our dependence on Him, as seen in Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 1:7. By doing so, we can cultivate a healthy fear and reverence for God that will guide our worship and devotion to Him, and help us to walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6-7.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the sight that terrified Moses and the people of Israel in Hebrews 12:21?

The sight referred to in Hebrews 12:21 is the manifestation of God's presence on Mount Sinai, as described in Exodus 19:16-25 and Deuteronomy 5:24, which was so awe-inspiring that it filled Moses with fear and trembling.

Why did Moses say he was trembling with fear in Hebrews 12:21?

Moses said he was trembling with fear because he was in the presence of a holy and powerful God, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:19, and he recognized the gravity of the situation, acknowledging the fear and reverence that God's presence inspires.

How does the fear of Moses in Hebrews 12:21 relate to the rest of the Bible's teaching on fear and reverence for God?

The fear of Moses in Hebrews 12:21 is consistent with the Bible's teaching on the importance of fearing and revering God, as seen in Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 1:7, which emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge.

What can we learn from Moses' response to the terrifying sight in Hebrews 12:21?

We can learn from Moses' response that it is appropriate to approach God with reverence and fear, as seen in Isaiah 6:1-5, and that recognizing our own limitations and weaknesses in the presence of a holy God can lead to a deeper sense of humility and dependence on Him, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6-7.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can cultivate a healthy fear and reverence for God in my own life, and how can I apply the principles of Hebrews 12:21 to my daily walk with God?
How does the manifestation of God's presence on Mount Sinai, as described in Hebrews 12:21, relate to my own experiences of God's presence and power in my life, and what can I learn from this comparison?
In what ways can I, like Moses, acknowledge my own limitations and weaknesses in the presence of a holy God, and how can I use this recognition to deepen my humility and dependence on Him, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6-7?
What are some practical ways that I can apply the principle of reverence and fear, as seen in Hebrews 12:21, to my worship and devotion to God, and how can I ensure that my worship is characterized by a deep sense of awe and reverence for God's holiness and power?

Gill's Exposition on Hebrews 12:21

And so terrible was the sight,.... Of the smoke, fire, and lightnings; or of God himself, who descended on the mount; with which agrees the Arabic version, which renders the words, "and so terrible

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hebrews 12:21

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) The sight , [ to (G3588) fantazomenon (G5324)] - the vision of God's majesty.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hebrews 12:21

It must needs be a dreadful, fearful, horrid, and astonishing apparition, and exhibition of the great Lawgiver here, that such a person as Moses, so sanctified by him, so favoured with familiarity with him, so constituted mediator between the people and God in this work for their good and comfort, so called and ordered by God to manage it, yet should cry to God to succour him, while he did quake and tremble at it; and was comforted and strengthened by God’ s voice to him again, . Christians now have no call nor access to so terrible a dispensation of the covenant, but have immunity, exemption, and freedom from it, which was not so helpful to holiness as the gospel dispensation, to which now they have actual admission, having freed them from all the terrors and curses of the Mosaical one.

Trapp's Commentary on Hebrews 12:21

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) Ver. 21. Moses said, I exceedingly] This Paul might have by tradition, or rather by revelation, unless he gathered it from Exodus 19:19, compared with Daniel 10:8; Daniel 10:16-17; Daniel 10:19.

Ellicott's Commentary on Hebrews 12:21

(21) And so terrible was the sight that. . . .—Better, And (so fearful was the appearance) Moses said, I exceedingly fear and tremble. Deuteronomy 9:19, as it stands in the Greek translation, contains these words in part (“I exceedingly fear”); there, however, they belong to a later time, when Moses was “afraid of the anger and hot displeasure” of the Lord against the worshippers of the golden calf (Exodus 32). Various Jewish traditions speak of the terror of Moses as upon Mount Sinai he beheld the wonders of the heavenly world (see Hebrews 2:2); but no saying that has been preserved throws additional light on the words before us.

Cambridge Bible on Hebrews 12:21

21. the sight] “the splendour of the spectacle” (τὸφανταζόμενον, here only in N.T.). The true punctuation of the verse is And—so fearful was the spectacle—Moses said …I exceedingly fear and quake] No such speech of Moses at Sinai is recorded in the Pentateuch. The writer is either drawing from the Jewish Hagadah or (by a mode of citation not uncommon) is compressing two incidents into one. For in Deuteronomy 9:19 Moses, after the apostasy of Israel in worshipping the Golden Calf, said, “I was afraid (LXX. καὶἔκφοβόςεἰμι) of the anger and hot displeasure of the Lord,” and in Acts 7:32 we find the words “becoming a-tremble” (ἔντρομοςγενόμενος) to express the fear of Moses on seeing the Burning Bush (though here also there is no mention of any trembling in Exodus 3:6). The tradition of Moses’ terror is found in Jewish writings. In Shabbath f. 88. 2 he explains “Lord of the Universe I am afraid lest they (the Angels) should consume me with the breath of their mouths.” Comp. Midrash Koheleth f. 69. 4.

Barnes' Notes on Hebrews 12:21

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said ... - This is not recorded in the account of the giving of the Law in Exodus, and it has been made a question on what authority the apostle made this declaration respecting Moses.

Whedon's Commentary on Hebrews 12:21

21. And… Moses said—Drop out that, which is not in the Greek, and enclose so… sight in a parenthesis. I exceedingly fear… quake—These words are not in the Exodus narrative.

Sermons on Hebrews 12:21

	Sermon	Description
	(Revival) Revival Presupposes Declension - Part 2 by Michael L. Brown	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the three steps that lead to the decline of the people of God. The first step is when the acts of God become only a memory, leading to skeptic
	Naaman Healed of Leprosy Part 2 by Bertha Smith	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the stories of Moses and Mary Maginn from the Bible. He highlights how Moses, at the age of forty, took matters into his own hands and killed
	Our God Is a Consuming Fire (Part One) by Eli Brayley	Eli Brayley preaches on the profound truths found in Hebrews 12, urging believers to serve God with reverence and godly fear, emphasizing the seriousness of Scripture and the need
	Defining Revival by Glenn Meldrum	Glenn Meldrum preaches about the powerful 1859 Ulster Revival in Coleraine, where a young boy's salvation sparked a school-wide spiritual awakening, leading to deep repentance and
	The Awful Presence of God by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for individuals to turn their attention towards God and His message. He uses the story of Moses and the burning bush as an example
	A Missional Encounter by Jackie Pullinger	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and the encounter with God on Mount Sinai. The people were afraid of approaching God because of His power and might. Howeve
	The Holiness of God - Part 1 by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the holiness of God and the need for reverence and sanctification in His presence. He refers to the story of Moses encountering God at the b