God’s Word Translation
Exodus 27:21
21In the tent of meeting outside the canopy where the words of my promise are, Aaron and his descendants must keep the lamps lit in the Lord’s presence from evening until morning. This is a permanent law among the Israelites for generations to come.”
Exodus 27:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come.
- English Standard Version (ESV)In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.
- New King James Version (NKJV)In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.
Context of Exodus 27:21
19“All the things for the tent, no matter how they’re used, including all the pegs for the tent and the courtyard, must be made of bronze. 20“For the lighting, you must command the Israelites to bring you pure, virgin olive oil so that the lamps won’t go out. In the tent of meeting outside the canopy where the words of my promise are, Aaron and his descendants must keep the lamps lit in the Lord’s presence from evening until morning. This is a permanent law among the Israelites for generations to come.”
Read all of Exodus 27Exodus 27:21 word by word
בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵד֩ מִח֨וּץ לַפָּרֹ֜כֶת אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הָעֵדֻ֗ת יַעֲרֹךְ֩ אֹת֨וֹ אַהֲרֹ֧ן וּבָנָ֛יו מֵעֶ֥רֶב עַד־בֹּ֖קֶר לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹ֣רֹתָ֔ם מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- In the tabernacleאֹ֫הֶל'ôhel · tentH168
- of the congregationמוֹעֵדmô‛êd mô‛êd mô‛âdâh · meetingH4150
- withoutחוּץchûts chûts · outsideH2351
- the vailפָּרֹ֫כֶתpôreketh · curtainH6532
- before the testimonyעֵדוּת‛êdûth · testimonyH5715
- Aaronאַהֲרֹן'ahărôn · AaronH175
- and his sonsבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- shall orderעָרַךְ‛ârak · to arrangeH6186
- it from eveningעֶ֫רֶב‛ereb · eveningH6153
- to morningבֹּ֫קֶרbôqer · morningH1242
- beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- a statuteחֻקָּהchûqqâh · statuteH2708
- for everעוֹלָם‛ôlâm ‛ôlâm · forever: enduringH5769
- unto their generationsדּוֹרdôr dôr · generationH1755
- on the behalf of the childrenבֵּןbên · son: descendant/peopleH1121
- of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
Cross-references for Exodus 27:21
- Exodus 29:10“Then bring the young bull to the front of the tent of meeting. Aaron and his sons will place their hands on its head.
- Leviticus 3:8Place your hand on the animal’s head. Slaughter it in front of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons will throw the blood against the altar on all sides.
- Numbers 8:9Bring the Levites to the front of the tent of meeting, and assemble the whole community of Israel.
- Exodus 26:31“Make a canopy of violet, purple, and bright red yarn. Creatively work an angel design into fine linen yarn.
- Exodus 40:3Place the ark containing the words of my promise inside it, and hang the canopy over the ark.
- Exodus 16:34Aaron put the jar of manna in front of the words of God’s promise to be kept there, as the Lord commanded Moses.
- Exodus 25:16Then you will put into the ark the words of my promise which I will give you.
- Exodus 30:8Also, when Aaron lights the lamps at dusk, he must burn incense. For generations to come an incense offering must burn constantly in the Lord’s presence.
- 1 Samuel 3:3The lamp in God’s temple hadn’t gone out yet, and Samuel was asleep in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was kept.
- 2 Chronicles 13:11They sacrifice burnt offerings to the Lord every morning and every evening. They offer sweet-smelling incense and rows of bread on the clean table. The lamps on the gold lamp stand burn every evening. We’re following the instructions the Lord our God gave us, but you have abandoned him.
- Malachi 2:7“A priest’s lips should preserve knowledge. Then, because he is the messenger for the Lord of Armies, people will seek instruction from his mouth.
- Matthew 4:16The people who lived in darkness have seen a bright light. A light has risen for those who live in a land overshadowed by death.”
- Luke 12:35“Be ready for action, and have your lamps burning.
- John 5:35John was a lamp that gave off brilliant light. For a time you enjoyed the pleasure of his light.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face.
- 2 Peter 1:19So we regard the words of the prophets as confirmed beyond all doubt. You’re doing well by paying attention to their words. Continue to pay attention as you would to a light that shines in a dark place as you wait for day to come and the morning star to rise in your hearts.
Commentaries on Exodus 27:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21The tabernacle of the congregation - The place where all the assembly of the people were to worship, where the God of that assembly was pleased to reside, and to which, as the habitation of their king and protector, they were ever to turn their faces in all their adorations. Before the testimony - That is, the ark where the tables of the covenant were deposited. See Exodus 25:16. Aaron and his sons - These and their descendants being the only legitimate…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21The tabernacle of the congregation - More literally, the tent of meeting. This is the first occurrence of this designation of the tabernacle, and the idea connected with it is that of Yahweh meeting with either Moses, or the priests, or (in a few cases) with the people gathered into a congregation at the entrance of the tent. Without the rail, which is before the testimony - i. e. the holy place (see Exodus 25:16).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-21Verses 20-21 The pure oil signified the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which all believers receive from Christ, the good Olive, and without which our light cannot shine before men. The priests were to light the lamps, and tend them. It is the work of ministers, by preaching and expounding the Scriptures, which are as a lamp, to enlighten the church, God's tabernacle upon earth. Blessed be God, this light is not now confined to the Jewish tabernacle, but…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21the Tent of Meeting: The expression Tent of Meeting sometimes refers to the tabernacle tent. In these cases, Tent of Meeting and tabernacle mean the same thing. In addition, 33:7–11 also mentions a temporary tent called the Tent of Meeting. This tent was set up outside the camp before the tabernacle was built. See study note on 40:2.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 20-2120-21. pure oil olive beaten--that is, such as runs from the olives when bruised and without the application of fire. for the light ... Aaron and his sons--were to take charge of lighting it in all time coming.Read the comment
Topics related to Exodus 27:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Exodus 27
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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