The Hyperlinked Bible
Intertextuality Pair
Later text
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
Earlier text
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. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. And as the sound of the ram's horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up, and the LORD said to him, "Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish. Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them."
Earlier text
20:18-21BSB
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram's horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. "Speak to us yourself and we will listen," they said to Moses. "But do not let God speak to us, or we will die." “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.” And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Earlier text
And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.' Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain."
Earlier text
You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; there was only a voice.
Description of Sinai covenant establishment—terrifying, impersonal, inaccessible. Fire, darkness, gloom, trumpet, voice, touch forbidden. Even Moses terrified. Sets up contrast with Mount Zion (12:22-24). Old covenant characterized by distance and fear; new covenant by access and celebration. The fearsome theophany underscores old covenant's character—mediated through Moses, maintained by distance, enforced by threat of death for touching the mountain — the one point where Hebrews quotes Sinai outright: "For they could not bear what was commanded: 'If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned'" (Hebrews 12:20, from Exodus 19:12-13). This inaccessible holiness contrasts dramatically with new covenant access "to Mount Zion... the heavenly Jerusalem" (12:22ff), where believers have already come through Christ's mediation.