Hebrews 12:17-19

12:17 For you know that ¹  later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing ²  with tears. 12:18 For you have not come to something that can be touched, ³  to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind 12:19 and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words ⁴  such that those who heard begged to hear no more. ⁵ 

¹ tn Or a command: “for understand that.”

² tn Grk “it,” referring either to the repentance or the blessing. But the account in Gen 27:34-41 (which the author appeals to here) makes it clear that the blessing is what Esau sought. Thus in the translation the referent (the blessing) is specified for clarity.

³ tn This describes the nation of Israel approaching God on Mt. Sinai (Exod 19). There is a clear contrast with the reference to Mount Zion in v. 22, so this could be translated “a mountain that can be touched.” But the word “mountain” does not occur here and the more vague description seems to be deliberate.

⁵ tn Grk “a voice of words.”

⁶ tn Grk “a voice…from which those who heard begged that a word not be added to them.”