The quotation is from Exodus 19.12-13; compare Deuteronomy 5.23-25. The order which said: it is clearly implied that the order was given by God, and it may be better to say so in translation. Barclay turns the sentence into indirect speech, and this may be more natural in some languages: “they were appalled by the order that, if even a beast touched the mountain, it should be stoned to death.”
Because they could not bear the order which said may be rendered as “because they could not bear what God had ordered” or “… what God had commanded.” In some instances they could not bear may be expressed as “they could not accept,” or “they refused to accept,” or “they did not want to accept.”
The writer of Hebrews increases the emphasis of the Old Testament verse he quotes. The differences may be expressed as follows:
Exodus 19.12-13 “Whoever touches the mountain … whether beast or man, shall be put to death.”
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Hebrews “Not even a wild animal is allowed to touch the mountain, however lightly.” Even is important; Hebrews condenses the Old Testament passage, but the writer knows that human beings are also threatened with death.
To death is implied; see comment on 11.37. King James Version‘s “or thrust through with a dart” is not part of the original text of Hebrews. It may be too easy for the reader to understand even as applying to touching the mountain rather than as applying to an animal. Therefore it may be better to make the meaning explicit; for example, “If anyone, even an animal, touches the mountain.” Accordingly the final part of the command may be rendered as “you must stone to death that person or animal.”
Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Letter of the Hebrews. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .