for they could not stand that which was commanded, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned”;
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 was he who vouchsafed himself to be seen"; not in the bush burning with fire; at which time Moses was afraid to look upon God, Exo 3:6 but on Mount Sinai...
The Jewish church was gross and earthly, dark and terrible, meant to strike dread; the gospel state is spiritual, clear, and mild. Mount Sinai demanded external obedience through fear; Mount Zion appeals to hope and the heart. Yet apostasy from the gospel is no less dreadful in its consequences than apostasy from Moses.
AI summary
Commenting on Hebrews 12:18-29
that which was commanded--"the interdict" [TITTMANN]. A stern interdictory mandate is meant. And--rather, "Even if a beast (much more a man) touch," &c. or thrust through with a dart--omitted in the oldest manuscripts. The full interdict in Exo 19:12-13 is abbreviated here; the beast alone, being put for "whether man or beast"; the stoning, which applies to the human offender, alone being specified, the beast's...