And you are to command the IsraelitesThis directive is given to Moses, emphasizing the importance of leadership and obedience in the community of Israel. The Israelites, as God's chosen people, are to follow His commands as a demonstration of their covenant relationship with Him. This command highlights the communal responsibility in worship and service to God.
to bring you pure oil of pressed olives
The oil mentioned here is to be pure, indicating the need for quality and holiness in offerings to God. Olive oil was a staple in ancient Israel, used for cooking, anointing, and lighting. The process of pressing olives to extract oil symbolizes the purity and dedication required in worship. This oil is a type of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates and empowers believers.
for the light
The light refers to the menorah, the seven-branched lampstand in the Tabernacle, which symbolizes God's presence and guidance. Light in the Bible often represents truth, holiness, and divine revelation. The continual burning of the lamp signifies the perpetual presence of God among His people.
to keep the lamps burning continually
The continuous burning of the lamps signifies the unending nature of God's presence and the need for constant vigilance in spiritual matters. This perpetual light foreshadows Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, who brings eternal illumination and truth. The command for the lamps to burn continually also points to the believer's call to be a light in the world, reflecting God's glory at all times.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites, who is receiving instructions from God on how to maintain the Tabernacle.
2.
IsraelitesThe people of God, who are commanded to bring pure olive oil for the lampstand in the Tabernacle.
3.
TabernacleThe portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites, where the lampstand is located.
4.
Lampstand (Menorah)A seven-branched candelabrum in the Tabernacle, symbolizing the light of God's presence.
5.
Pure Oil of Pressed OlivesThe specific type of oil required for the lamp, symbolizing purity and dedication.
Teaching Points
The Importance of PurityThe requirement for pure oil signifies the need for purity in our worship and service to God. Just as the oil was to be pure, our hearts and actions should be free from impurity.
Continuous DevotionThe command to keep the lamps burning continually reflects the need for ongoing devotion and vigilance in our spiritual lives. Our relationship with God should be constant and unwavering.
Symbolism of LightLight in the Tabernacle symbolizes God's presence and guidance. As believers, we are called to reflect God's light in the world, illuminating the darkness with His truth and love.
Community ResponsibilityThe Israelites were collectively responsible for providing the oil, illustrating the communal aspect of worship and service. We are called to support and encourage one another in our faith journeys.
Christ as the FulfillmentThe lampstand points to Christ, the true Light of the World. Our lives should be centered on Him, drawing from His light and sharing it with others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 27:20?
2.How can we keep our spiritual lamps burning continually like in Exodus 27:20?
3.What does "pure oil of pressed olives" symbolize in our Christian walk?
4.How does Exodus 27:20 connect to Jesus as the Light of the World?
5.Why is it important to maintain purity in our spiritual offerings to God?
6.How can we ensure our faith remains "burning continually" in daily life?
7.What is the significance of olive oil in Exodus 27:20 for the Israelites' worship practices?
8.How does Exodus 27:20 reflect the importance of purity in religious rituals?
9.Why is the command for "pure oil of pressed olives" emphasized in Exodus 27:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 27?
11.Exodus 27:20: Where would the Israelites consistently obtain the “pure olive oil” needed to keep the lamp burning in an arid wilderness?
12.What did Jesus mean by "I am the Light"?
13.What foods are mentioned in the Bible?
14.Psalm 134:1 mentions serving “by night” in the temple; does any archaeological evidence support 24-hour worship in ancient Israel?What Does Exodus 27:20 Mean
And you are to command the IsraelitesGod speaks directly to Moses, assigning him a clear directive. This reinforces the principle of delegated spiritual leadership.
• Moses does not act on personal initiative; he obeys a divine order (Exodus 19:3-6;Hebrews 3:5).
• The people are called to corporate participation in worship, not passive observation (Exodus 35:4-9).
• Spiritual authority and congregational obedience work together so that God’s presence can be experienced tangibly (Numbers 27:18-23;Acts 6:2-4).
to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the lightThe offering is specific—pure, beaten olive oil—because God deserves the best.
• Purity matters: anything defiled would misrepresent His holiness (Leviticus 22:20-21;Malachi 1:8).
• Olive oil, produced by pressing, pictures devotion that sometimes comes through pressure and surrender (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
• The oil fuels light in the Tabernacle, foreshadowing Christ, the true Light (John 1:9; 8:12) and the Spirit who illuminates hearts (Zechariah 4:2-6).
• Giving physical resources for God’s house is a privilege, not a burden (Proverbs 3:9-10;2 Corinthians 9:7).
to keep the lamps burning continuallyContinuous light symbolizes unbroken fellowship and divine guidance.
• The lampstand in the Holy Place had to shine day and night (Leviticus 24:2-4).
• Darkness never cancels God’s revelation; His Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
• Priests attended these lamps morning and evening, modeling faithful service (Exodus 30:7-8;1 Chronicles 9:32).
• Today believers are called to shine consistently, reflecting the Lord’s glory (Matthew 5:14-16;Philippians 2:15-16;Revelation 1:20).
summaryExodus 27:20 shows God directing His people to supply pure olive oil so the Tabernacle lamps never go out. The command highlights obedient leadership, wholehearted giving, and continual witness. As Israel kept the flame alive in the sanctuary, we are urged to offer our best, walk in His light, and let that light shine without interruption.
THE OIL FOR THE LAMP.
(20)Thou shalt command the children of Israelthatthey bringtheepure olive oil.--This instruction had been already given (Exodus 25:2;Exodus 25:6), only not with such particularity. "Oil" had been required, but not "pure olive oil beaten." By this is meant the best possible olive oil--that which was obtained by "beating," or pounding in a mortar; which was free from various impurities that belonged to the oil crushed out, after the ordinary fashion, in a mill.
To cause the lamp to burn always--i.e., every night without intermission. Josephus says that three lights were kept burning both night and day (Ant. Jud.,iii. 7, ? 7); but there is nothing in Scripture to confirm this. The tabernacle would have received sufficient light during the daytime through the entrance curtain, which was of linen (Exodus 26:36), not to mention that the curtain may, when necessary, have been looped up. The lighting of the lamps every evening is distinctly asserted inExodus 30:8; their extinction in the morning appears from1Samuel 3:3. . . .
Verses 20, 21. - THE OIL FOR THE LAMP. It has been observed that this paragraph is somewhat out of place. It would more appro priately, according to human ideas, have terminated ch. 25. But "God's ways are not as man's ways, nor his thoughts as man's thoughts." It is frequently difficult - some-times impossible - for the keenest human intellect to trace the connecting links between one portion of God's word and the next. In such cases it is best not to speculate on the nature of the connection, but to content ourselves with laying to heart the lesson which each portion teaches separately.
Verse 20. -
Thou shalt command. Compare
Exodus 25:6, where the general command had been given. Here certain additions are made as to the quality of the oil which was to be brought. The oil was to be
pure olive oil beaten that is to say, it was to be olive oil purified from any admixture of that watery juice which the Romans called
amurca; and it was to be of the kind which is obtained by mere beating or pounding in a mortar, and not by crushing in a mill. Oil of this kind, which is usually made from the unripe fruit, is reckoned much the best; it is clear and colourless, and gives a bright pure light with little smoke.
To cause the lamp to burn always. It has been supposed from this expression that the lamp must have been kept constantly burning both day and night; and Josephus declares that this was actually so, at least with three out of the seven lights (
Ant. Jud. 3:7, 7). But there are several places m Scripture which state, or imply, the contrary. (See especially
Exodus 30:8; and
1 Samuel 3:3.) It seems to have been the duty of the high-priest to light the lamps every evening, and to give them a sufficient supply of oil to last till daybreak, at which time "the lamp of God went out" (1 Samuel
l.s.c.) The supposition that "one light at least was always burning" (Kalisch), because no daylight could penetrate into the structure through the
fourfold covering, ignores the fact that light would enter through the
single curtain at the entrance, as well as the probability that some portion of that curtain may generally have been looped up. If we regard the lamp as extinguished during the daytime, we must understand "always" here to mean "regularly every night."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And youוְאַתָּ֞ה(wə·’at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and youare to commandתְּצַוֶּ֣ה ׀(tə·ṣaw·weh)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6680:To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, orderthe Israelitesבְּנֵ֣י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonto bringוְיִקְח֨וּ(wə·yiq·ḥū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3947:To takeyou pureזָ֛ךְ(zāḵ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2134:Pure, cleanoilשֶׁ֣מֶן(še·men)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8081:Grease, liquid, richnessof pressedכָּתִ֖ית(kā·ṯîṯ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3795:Beaten, pureolivesזַ֥יִת(za·yiṯ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2132:An olive, the tree, the branch, the berryfor the light,לַמָּא֑וֹר(lam·mā·’ō·wr)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3974:A luminous body, luminary, light, brightness, cheerfulness, a chandelierto keep the lampsנֵ֖ר(nêr)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5216:A lamp, lightburningלְהַעֲלֹ֥ת(lə·ha·‘ă·lōṯ)Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelycontinually.תָּמִֽיד׃(tā·mîḏ)Adverb
Strong's 8548:Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice
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OT Law: Exodus 27:20 You shall command the children of Israel (Exo. Ex) 
