Exodus 27:20-21 And you shall command the children of Israel, that they bring you pure oil olive beaten for the light… It is difficult to understand from the various passages bearing on the subject, whether the lamps burned both day and night, or only during the night — some passages apparently favouring the one view, and some the other; thus, "To cause the lamp to burn always" (ver. 20); and, "Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive oil, beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually" (Leviticus 24:2). These passages seem to teach that the lamps burned both day and night. If they do not teach that, the meaning must be that "continual" and "always " signify at regular intervals, as in the case of some ordinances and offerings which are called perpetual, though occurring only at intervals. The other view, that they burned only during the night, seems to be supported by, "Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning" (ver. 21); "And Aaron shall burn thereon (the golden altar) sweet incense every morning, when he dresseth the lamps" (Exodus 30:7, 8). From these texts it would appear that the lamps burned only during the night. If they were not intended to teach that, the meaning must be that the lamps were dressed in the morning, probably one after another, not necessitating more than one being extinguished at a time, and after being dressed and lighted, burned during the day, the lamps receiving such further attention in the evening as admitted of their burning till the morning. As there were no windows in the Tabernacle, and the priests had duties to perform during the day in the holy place, it is almost certain that the lamps burned always. (W. Brown.) Parallel Verses 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. |
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