King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"You are to order the people of Isra'el to bring you pure oil of pounded olives for the light, and to keep a lamp burning continually.
Berean Standard Bible:
And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.
American Standard Version:
And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And thou shalt command{H6680} the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, that they bring{H3947} thee pure{H2134} oil{H8081} olive{H2132} beaten{H3795} for the light{H3974}, to cause the lamp{H5216} to burn{H5927} always{H8548}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Leviticus 24:1
- ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 24:4
- He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
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,
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.
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?
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?
Zechariah 4:14
- Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 27:20
Exodus 27:20 is part of the detailed instructions given by God to Moses for the construction and operation of the Tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for God's presence among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. This verse specifically addresses the lampstand (menorah) that was to be placed in the Tabernacle. The command given to Moses was to ensure that the Israelites provided pure beaten olive oil for the lamp, which was to burn continuously. This was not just any oil, but the purest quality, symbolizing the importance of purity in worship and in the presence of God.
The lampstand was a central feature in the Tabernacle, representing God's light and guidance for His people. The continuous burning of the lamp symbolized the eternal presence of God with Israel and the light of His truth and holiness that was to illuminate their lives. Historically, this command underscores the meticulous attention to detail and ritual purity that characterized the religious practices of ancient Israel, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law. The use of olive oil also reflects the agricultural practices of the time, where olive oil was a staple product and a common source of fuel for lamps.
In a broader thematic context, the command to keep the lamp burning continually can be seen as a precursor to the Christian understanding of Jesus as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), a theme that resonates throughout the New Testament, emphasizing the enduring and guiding presence of God through Christ. The requirement for pure oil can also be seen as a metaphor for the moral and spiritual purity expected of God's people in their approach to Him.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6680
There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָוָה
Transliteration: tsâvâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a 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.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H2134
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זַךְ
Transliteration: zak
Pronunciation: zak
Description: from זָכַךְ; clear; clean, pure. - Strong's Number: H8081
There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁמֶן
Transliteration: shemen
Pronunciation: sheh'-men
Description: from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. - Strong's Number: H2132
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זַיִת
Transliteration: zayith
Pronunciation: zay'-yith
Description: probably from an unused root (akin to זִו); an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry; olive (tree, -yard), Olivet. - Strong's Number: H3795
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּתִית
Transliteration: kâthîyth
Pronunciation: kaw-theeth'
Description: from כָּתַת; beaten, i.e. pure (oil); beaten. - Strong's Number: H3974
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָאוֹר
Transliteration: mâʼôwr
Pronunciation: maw-ore'
Description: or מָאֹר; also (in plural) feminine מְאוֹרָה; or מְאֹרָה; from אוֹר; properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element); figuratively, brightness, i.e.cheerfulness; specifically, a chandelier; bright, light. - Strong's Number: H5216
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נִיר
Transliteration: nîyr
Pronunciation: neer
Description: or נִר; also נֵיר; or נֵר; or (feminine) נֵרָה; from a primitive root (see נִיר; נוּר) properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively); candle, lamp, light. - Strong's Number: H5927
There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָלָה
Transliteration: ʻâlâh
Pronunciation: aw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. - Strong's Number: H8548
There are 103 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּמִיד
Transliteration: tâmîyd
Pronunciation: taw-meed'
Description: from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the regular (daily) sacrifice; alway(-s), continual (employment, -ly), daily, (n-)ever(-more), perpetual.