19:23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people are not able to come up to Mount Sinai, because you solemnly warned us, 4 ‘Set boundaries for the mountain and set it apart.’” 5
1 tn The verb means “to fall and fade” as a leaf (Ps 1:3). In Ps 18:45 it is used figuratively of foes fading away, failing in strength and courage (S. R. Driver, Exodus, 166). Here the infinitive absolute construction heightens the meaning.
2 tn Gesenius lists the specialized use of the comparative min (מ) where with an adjective the thought expressed is that the quality is too difficult for the attainment of a particular aim (GKC 430 §133.c).
3 tn Here “a burden” has been supplied.
4 tn The construction is emphatic: “because you – you solemnly warned us.” Moses’ response to God is to ask how they would break through when God had already charged them not to. God knew them better than Moses did.
5 tn Heb “sanctify it.”