The Meaning of Exodus 27:20 Explained

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.

YLT: And thou -- thou dost command the sons of Israel, and they bring unto thee pure beaten olive oil for the light, to cause the lamp to go up continually;

Darby: And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee olive oil, pure, beaten, for the light, to light the lamp continually.

ASV: 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 Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Exodus 27:20 Mean?

Study Notes

oil
Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Cf) John 3:34 ; Hebrews 1:9 . In Christ the oil- fed Light ever burns, the Light of the world John 8:12 . But here we have not the world, but the sanctuary. It is a question, not of testimony in and to the world, but of our communion and worship as believer-priests in the holiest Hebrews 10:19 ; Hebrews 10:20 . In the Tabernacle there were two compartments, two lights: the holy place with the candlestick the holy of holies with the shekinah, or manifested glory of God. These two places are now one; Matthew 27:50 ; Matthew 27:51 ; Hebrews 9:6-8 ; Hebrews 10:19-21 but it is important to see that there are still two lights: Christ, the Light of life John 8:12 through the Spirit giving light upon the holy things of God, the showbread and altar of incense; and also the shekinah, now on the face of Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 4:6 . Into this twofold light we, as believer- priests, are brought 1 Peter 2:9 . We "walk in the light," not merely which He gives, but in which He lives 1 John 1:7 . But what of the command to "bring pure oil" Exodus 27:20 . Because our access, apprehension, communion, and transformation are by the Spirit; Ephesians 2:18 ; 1 Corinthians 2:14 ; 1 Corinthians 2:15 ; 2 Corinthians 13:14 ; Philippians 2:1 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 . Our title to His presence is the blood Ephesians 2:13 but only as filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18 do we really walk in the light.
candlestick
Candlestick, type of Christ our Light, shining in the fullness of the power of the sevenfold Spirit Isaiah 11:2 ; Hebrews 1:9 ; Revelation 1:4 . Natural light was excluded from the tabernacle. (Cf) 1 Corinthians 2:14 ; 1 Corinthians 2:15 .
(See Scofield " Genesis 1:16 ") John 1:4 .

Context Summary

Exodus 27:20-21 - The Beaten Oil The Ephod
Always in Scripture oil is an emblem of the Holy Spirit. It is His grace communicated to the wick of our character and life, which makes them capable of giving a bright light for God. This oil was pure, because none shine brightly for God who are not pure in heart and poor in spirit. It was beaten, because our best work is often the result of our sorrows. McCheyne used to say, "Beaten oil for the sanctuary," referring to the care with which ministers and teachers should prepare for their work. Get your oil direct! See Zechariah 4:2-3.
It is befitting that we should consider the priestly garments. We minister within the curtained court; order the lamp of testimony till daybreak, and stand before the altar of incense-it is meet that we should be arrayed in the beauty of holiness. Our Lord bears our names, graven indelibly and eternally, and we are accepted in the Beloved. [source]

Chapter Summary: Exodus 27

1  The altar of burnt offering, with the vessels thereof
9  The court of the tabernacle enclosed with hangings and pillars
18  The measure of the court, and the furniture of brass
20  The oil for the lamp

What do the individual words in Exodus 27:20 mean?

And you shall command - the sons of Israel that they bring you oil of olives pure pressed for the light to cause to burn the lamp continually
וְאַתָּ֞ה תְּצַוֶּ֣ה ׀ אֶת־ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְיִקְח֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יךָ שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִת זָ֛ךְ כָּתִ֖ית לַמָּא֑וֹר לְהַעֲלֹ֥ת נֵ֖ר תָּמִֽיד

וְאַתָּ֞ה  And  you 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine singular
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
תְּצַוֶּ֣ה ׀  shall  command 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: צָוָה  
Sense: to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
בְּנֵ֣י  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
וְיִקְח֨וּ  that  they  bring 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יָקַח 
Sense: to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away.
שֶׁ֣מֶן  oil 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שֶׁמֶן  
Sense: fat, oil.
זַ֥יִת  of  olives 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זַיִת  
Sense: olive, olive tree.
זָ֛ךְ  pure 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: זַךְ  
Sense: clean, pure.
כָּתִ֖ית  pressed 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: כָּתִית  
Sense: beaten out, pure, pounded fine (in a mortar), costly.
לַמָּא֑וֹר  for  the  light 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָאֹור  
Sense: light, luminary.
לְהַעֲלֹ֥ת  to  cause  to  burn 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: סָלַק 
Sense: to go up, ascend, climb.
נֵ֖ר  the  lamp 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: נִיר 
Sense: lamp.
תָּמִֽיד  continually 
Parse: Adverb
Root: תָּמִיד  
Sense: continuity, perpetuity, to stretch.