King James Version

What Does Exodus 27:21 Mean?

Exodus 27:21 in the King James Version says “In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Exodus 27:21 · KJV

Context

19

All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.

20

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. to burn: Heb. to ascend up

21

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.

Read Exodus 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Aaron and his sons shall order the lamps from evening to morning before the Lord continually—a statute forever. Priestly duty involves tending God's light, maintaining it through the night. Darkness surrounds (evening to morning), but the light must persist. This prefigures Christ our High Priest who maintains light through history's 'night' until the daybreak. It also speaks to believers' priestly responsibility—tend the light, don't let it dim, maintain witness through darkness until dawn.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The daily lamp service occurred twice—evening (kindling) and morning (trimming, replenishing). This perpetual maintenance ensured the Holy Place never sat in darkness. Neglecting this duty would extinguish God's light, making priestly service impossible.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you maintain spiritual light 'from evening to morning' through life's dark seasons?
  2. What does your responsibility to 'tend the light' look like in daily practice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
בְּאֹ֣הֶל1 of 22

“In the tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵד֩2 of 22

“of the congregation”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

מִח֨וּץ3 of 22

“without”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

לַפָּרֹ֜כֶת4 of 22

“the vail”

H6532

a separatrix, i.e., (the sacred) screen

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל6 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽעֵדֻ֗ת7 of 22

“which is before the testimony”

H5715

testimony

יַֽעֲרֹךְ֩8 of 22

“shall order”

H6186

to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)

אֹת֨וֹ9 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַֽהֲרֹ֧ן10 of 22

“Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

בְּנֵ֥י11 of 22

“and his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מֵעֶ֥רֶב12 of 22

“it from evening”

H6153

dusk

עַד13 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בֹּ֖קֶר14 of 22

“to morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

לִפְנֵ֣י15 of 22

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֑ה16 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

חֻקַּ֤ת17 of 22

“it shall be a statute”

H2708

a statute

עוֹלָם֙18 of 22

“for ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

לְדֹ֣רֹתָ֔ם19 of 22

“unto their generations”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

מֵאֵ֖ת20 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְּנֵ֥י21 of 22

“and his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃22 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 27:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 27:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 19:21Numbers 18:23Leviticus 16:34Exodus 30:81 Samuel 3:3Leviticus 3:17

Test Your Knowledge

Exodus 27 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterExodus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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