Exodus 27 20

Exodus 27:20 kjv

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.

Exodus 27:20 nkjv

"And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually.

Exodus 27:20 niv

"Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning.

Exodus 27:20 esv

"You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn.

Exodus 27:20 nlt

"Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.

Exodus 27 verses

Exodus 27 20 Meaning

Exodus 27:20 delivers a divine command through Moses to the children of Israel, instructing them to provide pure, hand-beaten olive oil. This oil was specifically designated to fuel the lamps of the Tabernacle, ensuring that the light within the Holy Place would burn continually, symbolizing the perpetual presence and revelation of God among His people. It underscores the communal responsibility for maintaining worship and the sacredness required in approaching God.

Exodus 27 20 Context

Exodus chapter 27 focuses on the specific commands regarding the construction and components of the Tabernacle's outer court. It details the altar of burnt offering, its implements, the precise dimensions of the court itself, and the materials for its hangings and pillars. Verse 20 specifically transitions from the structural elements to the continuous priestly duty associated with the inner sanctuary – the Holy Place. This verse precedes the detailed instructions for the garments of Aaron and his sons in Chapter 28, highlighting that the physical dwelling place requires continuous maintenance and a constant supply for its sacred functions, specifically the never-fading light within God's presence. Historically, ancient cultures utilized various forms of illumination, but the mandate for pure, beaten olive oil and continual burning differentiated Israel's worship from any crude, common, or intermittent pagan practices, underscoring the unique purity and ceaseless dedication demanded by the One True God.

Exodus 27 20 Word analysis

• And (וְ – ve): A conjunction linking this command directly to the preceding architectural specifications of the Tabernacle court, signifying that the provision for light is an integral and ongoing part of the Tabernacle's operation.
• thou shalt command (וְאַתָּה תְּצַוֶּה֙ – ve'atta tetzavveh): This is a direct, emphatic imperative from God to Moses ("you yourself shall command"). It highlights Moses' authoritative role in relaying divine mandates to the community, establishing clear responsibility and accountability within the hierarchical structure God set up. The verb `tetzavveh` implies an enduring and weighty directive.
• the children of Israel (אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל – et-benei Yisrael): Refers to the entire community of the Israelites. This emphasizes a corporate responsibility; the upkeep of the Tabernacle and its continuous light was not solely the Levites' or priests' burden, but a communal offering and act of worship, ensuring that all people participated in maintaining God's presence among them.
• that they bring thee (וְיִקְחוּ֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ – ve'yikḥu eilekha): Literally, "and they shall take to you." This signifies the act of providing, an active contribution from the people, not something God or Moses would magically provide. It underlines the concept of sacrifice and provision for divine service.
• pure oil olive (שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִת זָ֖ךְ – shemen zayit zakh):
  • oil olive (שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִת – shemen zayit): The standard and most important oil in ancient Israel, primarily used for food, medicine, cosmetics, and lamps. It was abundant in the land God promised.
  • pure (זָ֖ךְ – zakh): Signifies something ethically and ritually clean, bright, clear, undefiled. This adjective implies the highest possible quality and absence of impurities. This was crucial for an enduring, smoke-free flame and for the sacredness of the Tabernacle service.
• beaten (כָּתִית – katit): Describes the method of oil extraction. This particular oil was made from olives gently pounded in a mortar, allowing the very first, purest, and clearest oil to drain naturally. This was superior to oil extracted by a press (which might crush the pits, imparting a darker color and lower quality), further emphasizing the supreme quality required for divine use.
• for the light (לַמָּא֑וֹר – lammâ’ôr): Specifically refers to the illumination produced by the lamps of the Menorah. This light was vital as the Holy Place of the Tabernacle had no natural light source, emphasizing that God's presence, knowledge, and guidance illuminate what is otherwise dark.
• to cause the lamp to burn (לְהַעֲלֹ֥ת נֵ֖ר – leha'alôt ner): Literally, "to make a lamp ascend" or "to set up a lamp." This phrasing points to the regular process of kindling, tending, and arranging the lamps of the Menorah. It highlights the priestly duty of ensuring the lamp was prepared and alight.
• always (תָּמִֽיד – tamid): Means "continually," "perpetually," "without ceasing," "daily." While the wicks were trimmed and replenished at fixed times (morning and evening, Lev 24:3), the instruction meant that the lamp should always be burning within the designated periods of service. It symbolizes God's unending presence, faithfulness, and the continuous nature of the people's responsibility and worship. This continuous light signifies God's unceasing watchful presence and His unwavering revelation.

• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee...": This phrase establishes the top-down divine authority (God to Moses), Moses' mediatorial role, and the collective responsibility of the entire nation for worship. It implies not only passive reception but active participation and provision from the people.
  • "pure oil olive beaten for the light": This detailed specification for the oil underscores God's demand for absolute excellence, purity, and effort in His worship. It speaks to the sanctity of the Tabernacle and the offerings made for it, setting a standard that distinguishes it from common materials or careless offerings.
  • "to cause the lamp to burn always": This phrase highlights the purpose and enduring nature of the provision. The "lamp" (specifically the Menorah) represents God's dwelling and His truth, while "always" signifies the unchanging, constant presence of God and the unending need for His people to provide for that continuous presence through obedience and offering.

Exodus 27 20 Bonus section

The requirement of "pure oil olive beaten" for the Tabernacle lamps, distinct from anointing oil or other sacrificial oils, implies a specialized, sacred provision. This specific grade of oil was a precious commodity, indicating a substantial offering expected from each Israelite household (Lev 24:2, Numbers 4:16 show Levites were custodians but people provided it), highlighting the high cost and value attached to maintaining God's presence among them. The term tamid ("always") when applied to the Tabernacle light (and other services like burnt offerings and shewbread) signifies not literal continuous-from-creation-to-eternity but regular, unfailing performance during the specified hours or without omission in its sequence. The light in the Tabernacle's Holy Place also implicitly contrasted with the surrounding pagan darkness and their idolatrous practices which were often characterized by chaos or dim understanding. This light symbolized God's wisdom, order, and revelation.

Exodus 27 20 Commentary

Exodus 27:20 encapsulates the crucial communal responsibility for sustaining divine worship. It transitions from the construction of God's dwelling to its operational demands. The directive for "pure olive oil, beaten" highlights God's expectation of absolute excellence and a prepared heart in service. This isn't just any oil; it's the finest, symbolizing a devotion unmixed with impurity or ease. The method of beating the olives was laborious, yet it yielded the clearest oil, underscoring that genuine offerings to God often involve effort and a desire for purity, rather than convenience.

The lamp itself, the Menorah in the Holy Place, served as the sole source of illumination in an otherwise dark chamber. Its perpetual light signified the continuous presence of God, who is light, truth, and guidance for His people. This continuous burning represented God's unchanging character and His constant vigilance over Israel, ensuring that His dwelling place was never without the symbol of His glory. Furthermore, it reminded Israel of their identity as a people who walk in the light of God's revelation.

Practically, this verse reminds believers today that our corporate worship and individual devotion require active participation, not merely passive reception. We are to offer our "first and best" to God (Mal 1:8). The "pure, beaten oil" can symbolize a life of holiness, refined by trials, providing a clear light to the world. The continuous burning signifies the need for an unbroken communion with God, fueled by prayer, study of His Word, and lives dedicated to His glory, ensuring the "lamp" of our witness for Christ burns continually in a dark world. Just as Israel supplied the oil for physical light, believers now provide spiritual "oil" through their obedient lives, maintaining the witness of the Gospel.