Exodus 27:20

27:19 All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.

And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. to burn: Heb. to ascend up

KJV

Save image

“You shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.

And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.

And you shall command the children of Israel, that they bring you pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.

27:21 In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

What does Exodus 27:20 mean?

Exodus 27:20 is a verse in the book of Exodus, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include צָוָה (tsâvâh), בֵּן (bên), יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl). It connects to 7 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

And

thou

shalt

commandצָוָהtsâvâh/tsaw-vaw'/H6680(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

the

childrenבֵּןbên/bane/H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

Israel,יִשְׂרָאֵלYisrâʼêl/yis-raw-ale'/H3478Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

that

they

bringלָקַחlâqach/law-kakh'/H3947to take (in the widest variety of applications)

thee

pureזַךְzak/zak/H2134clear

oilשֶׁמֶןshemen/sheh'-men/H8081grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

oliveזַיִתzayith/zay'-yith/H2132an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry

beatenכָּתִיתkâthîyth/kaw-theeth'/H3795beaten, i.e. pure (oil)

for

the

light,מָאוֹרmâʼôwr/maw-ore'/H3974properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element); figuratively, brightness, i.e.cheerfulness; specifically, a chandelier

cause

the

lampנִירnîyr/neer/H5216a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)

burnעָלָהʻâlâh/aw-law'/H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

always.תָּמִידtâmîyd/taw-meed'/H8548properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the regular (daily) sacrifice

burn:

Heb.

ascend

Commentary on Exodus 27:20

HENRY_FULL · Exodus 27:20–21

pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. 21 In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the Lord : it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel. We read of the candlestick in the twenty-fifth chapter; here is an order given for the keeping of the lamps constantly burning in it, else it was useless; in every candlestick there should be a burning and shining light; candlesticks without candles are as wells without water or as clouds without rain. Now, 1. The people were to provide the oil; from them the Lord's ministers must have their maintenance. Or, rather, the pure oil signified the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which are communicated to all believers from Christ the good olive, of whose fulness we receive ( Zech. iv. 11, 12 ), and without which our light cannot shine before men. 2. The priests were to light the lamps, and to tend them; it was part of their daily service to cause the lamp to burn always, night and day; thus it is the work of ministers, by the preaching and expounding of the scriptures (which are as a lamp), to enlighten the church, God's tabernacle upon the earth, and to direct the spiritual priests in his service. This is to be a statute for ever, that the lamps of the word be lighted as duly as the incense of prayer and praise is offered.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 25:31

And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

Exodus 39:37

The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,

Leviticus 24:2

Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. to cause: Heb. to cause to ascend

Judges 9:9

But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? go: or, go up and down for other trees

Psalms 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. anointest: Heb. makest fat

Zechariah 4:11

Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

Revelation 11:4

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Topics

Lamp Oil Olive Tree, the Priests

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Exodus 27:20.

Leviticus 24:2

Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. to cause: Heb. to cause to ascend

Exodus 29:40

And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.

Exodus 30:24

And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:

Genesis 50:2

And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.

Genesis 6:2

That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Frequently asked questions

What does Exodus 27:20 say?

Exodus 27:20 (King James Version) reads: "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. to burn: Heb. to ascend up"

Is Exodus 27:20 in the Old or New Testament?

Exodus 27:20 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Exodus.

Reflect

As you read Exodus 27:20, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Exodus 27:20 →

← 27:19 27:21 →