And thou shalt appoint certain limits to the people round about, and thou shalt say to them: Take heed ye go not up into the mount, and that ye touch not the borders thereof: every one that toucheth the mount, dying he shall die.
וְהִגְבַּלְתָּ֤ אֶת־הָעָם֙ סָבִ֣יב לֵאמֹ֔ר הִשָּׁמְר֥וּ לָכֶ֛ם עֲל֥וֹת בָּהָ֖ר וּנְגֹ֣עַ בְּקָצֵ֑הוּ כָּל־הַנֹּגֵ֥עַ בָּהָ֖ר מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
A significant distinction exists in this extraordinary occurrence: in the former scenario, the individuals are prohibited from approaching the location of the Law's giving under severe penalty, while in the latter, the Holy Spirit descended upon those assembled, anticipating the realization of this promise. (Acts 2:1)
The people of Israel were expressly prohibited from ascending Mount Sinai: "Take heed unto yourselves not to go up into the mount, neither by any means to touch it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall die a death." This strict prohibition contrasts with the statements found later in the same chapter: "When the voice and the trumpet and the cloud depart from the mountain, these shall ascend the mountain."
To clarify, these phrases regarding the Israelites' ascent can be understood as distinguishing between prohibition and permission. The divine prohibition establishes the boundaries set by God, ensuring that no one would exceed these limits when approaching Mount Sinai. This injunction was firmly upheld throughout the time God revealed Himself to the Israelites at the mountain, as underscored by the verses at the chapter's conclusion, which reinforce the restrictions on overstepping the designated boundaries.
Conversely, the permission granted to the Hebrews allowed them to approach Mount Sinai, and this permission did not specify any limitations. It was mandated that whenever the trumpets sounded, the people should come forward to the mountain to receive the law, specifically as illustrated in verse 17, indicating they could come to the very base of the mountain. Thus, it is evident that while the Israelites were permitted to ascend Mount Sinai, they were limited to specific appointed areas—not to the summit, but to designated spots that were not elevated, just at the foot of the mountain, where the ascent typically begins.
It is recognized that the terrain of tall mountains extends broadly at their base, making the initial ascent imperceptible and relatively easy. When God spoke to Moses from the summit, the people needed to ascend to some extent to hear God's voice. In summary, the Israelites were not allowed to explore every part of Mount Sinai to witness the glory of God; however, they were invited to approach certain locations to hear His words. They were forbidden to reach the top, with limits imposed on their ascent, but they could stand at the height of the mountain within the permitted boundaries.
You shall immerse the people - You shall delineate a boundary for the people from the mountain. However, the Lord not only instructed Moses to prevent the people from crossing this boundary and touching the mountain but also warned that any violation of this command would result in death. The mountain, during the sacred presence of the Lord of glory, must be regarded as a holy sanctuary, remaining as inaccessible to the general populace as the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle, where only the high priest could enter once a year.
If, in the East, subjects show such reverence to their earthly rulers by not approaching them without explicit permission in both their palaces and various locations, how much more should the reverence toward the King of heaven and earth be demonstrated by those who honor Him? The specific nature of the death that the Lord threatens against those who violate the boundary will be elaborated in the subsequent verse.
We can infer that the base of the mountain was generally accessible. God Stanley references the series of low hills of neptunic origin that surround the base of the Raz-Sufsafe rock, noting that they align with the boundaries intended to prevent the people from approaching the mountain.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS