Exodus 27:21
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant. Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the LORD’s presence all night. This is a permanent law for the people of Israel, and it must be observed from generation to generation.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.

King James Bible
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 King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a permanent statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel.

NASB 1995
“In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel.

NASB 1977
“In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel.

Amplified Bible
In the Tent of Meeting [of God with His people], outside the veil which is in front of the [ark of the] Testimony [and sets it apart], Aaron [the high priest] and his sons shall keep the lamp burning from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a perpetual statute [to be observed] throughout their generations on behalf of the Israelites.

Christian Standard Bible
In the tent of meeting outside the curtain that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the LORD. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites throughout their generations.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the tent of meeting outside the veil that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the LORD. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites throughout their generations.”

American Standard Version
In the tent of meeting, without the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Jehovah: it shall be a statute for ever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
In the Time Tabernacle outside of the covering that is upon the Testimony, and Ahron and his sons will set them in order from evening and unto the morning before LORD JEHOVAH: the law to eternity for your generations from the presence of the children of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
in the tabernacle of the testimony, without the veil that is before the ark of the covenant, shall Aaron and his sons burn it from evening until morning, before the Lord: it is a perpetual ordinance throughout your generations of the children of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
in front of the curtain that separates the holy place from the most holy place, where the sacred chest is kept. Aaron and his sons are responsible for keeping the lamp burning every night in the sacred tent. The Israelites must always obey this command.

Douay-Rheims Bible
In the tabernacle of the testimony without the veil that hangs before the testimony. And Aaron and his sons shall order it, that it may give light before the Lord until the morning. It shall be a perpetual observance throughout their successions among the children of Israel.

English Revised Version
In the tent of meeting, without the veil 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 throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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."

Good News Translation
Aaron and his sons are to set up the lamp in the Tent of my presence outside the curtain which is in front of the Covenant Box. There in my presence it is to burn from evening until morning. This command is to be kept forever by the Israelites and their descendants.

International Standard Version
In the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain that is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to maintain the lamp stand from evening until morning in the LORD's presence. It is to be a perpetual ordinance from generation to generation among the Israelis."

JPS Tanakh 1917
In the tent of meeting, without the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall set it in order, to burn from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a statute for ever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Literal Standard Version
In the Tent of Meeting, at the outside of the veil, which [is] over the Testimony, Aaron—his sons also—arrange it from evening until morning before YHWH. [It is] a continuous statute for their generations, from the sons of Israel.”

Majority Standard Bible
In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.

New American Bible
From evening to morning Aaron and his sons shall maintain them before the LORD in the tent of meeting, outside the veil which hangs in front of the covenant. This shall be a perpetual statute for the Israelites throughout their generations.

NET Bible
In the tent of meeting outside the curtain that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to arrange it from evening to morning before the LORD. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for generations to come.

New Revised Standard Version
In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be a perpetual ordinance to be observed throughout their generations by the Israelites.

New Heart English Bible
In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 to their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

World English Bible
In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
in the tent of meeting, at the outside of the vail, which is over the testimony, doth Aaron -- his sons also -- arrange it from evening till morning before Jehovah -- a statute age-during to their generations, from the sons of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Oil for the Lamps
20And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. 21In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.

Cross References
Exodus 16:34
And Aaron placed it in front of the Testimony, to be preserved just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Exodus 25:22
And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

Exodus 26:31
Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.

Exodus 26:33
And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

Exodus 28:43
Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.

Exodus 29:9
Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons and tie headbands on them. The priesthood shall be theirs by a permanent statute. In this way you are to ordain Aaron and his sons.

Exodus 29:42
For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you.


Treasury of Scripture

In the tabernacle of the congregation without the veil, 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 to their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

the tabernacle of the congregation

Exodus 29:10,44
And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock…

Leviticus 3:8
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron's sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof round about upon the altar.

Numbers 8:9
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:

without the vail

Exodus 26:31-33
And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: …

Exodus 40:3
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

testimony

Exodus 16:34
As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

Exodus 25:16,21
And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee…

Aaron

Exodus 30:8
And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

1 Samuel 3:3
And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

2 Chronicles 13:11
And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.

evening

Genesis 1:5,8
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day…

Leviticus 24:3
Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.

Psalm 134:1
A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

a statute for ever

Exodus 28:43
And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

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Aaron Behalf Burn Children Congregation Evening Forever Generations Israel Meeting Morning Order Outside Statute Tabernacle Tent Testimony Throughout Vail Veil
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














(21) In the tabernacle of the congregation.--Heb., in the tent of meeting--i.e., the place where God met the earthly ruler of His people. (See Exodus 25:22.)

Before the testimony--i.e., in front of the Ark which contained "the Testimony," or "Two Tables." (See Note on Exodus 16:34.)

Aaron and his sons.--The priestly character of Aaron and his descendants, laid down in the next chapter, is here anticipated.

From evening to morning.--See the second Note on Exodus 27:20.

Verse 21. The tabernacle of the congregation. Rather, "the tent of meeting" - the tent where God would meet the earthly ruler of the people (Exodus 25:22), and give him commands and directions - not the place of meeting for the people themselves, who might in no case go beyond the entrance to the structure. The testimony - i,e., the ark which contained the "testimony," or two tables of stone written with the finger of God. Aaron and his sons. Compare Exodus 24:1. The intention to confer the priesthood on the descendants of Aaron, first openly revealed in the next chapter (vers. 1-43), is tacitly assumed from time to time in the earlier narrative. Shall order it from evening to morning. See the comment on ver. 20. It is difficult to assign these words any distinct meaning unless we accept the view, that the lamp burnt during the night only. It shall be a statute for ever. This expression is not at all common. In Exodus it occurs only here and in four other places. In Leviticus it is met with some six or seven times. The portions of the law thus characterised must be regarded as of special importance. (See the homiletics on this verse.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In the Tent
בְּאֹ֣הֶל (bə·’ō·hel)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Meeting,
מוֹעֵד֩ (mō·w·‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

outside
מִח֨וּץ (mi·ḥūṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

the veil
לַפָּרֹ֜כֶת (lap·pā·rō·ḵeṯ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6532: A separatrix, screen

that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

is in front of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Testimony,
הָעֵדֻ֗ת (hā·‘ê·ḏuṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

Aaron
אַהֲרֹ֧ן (’a·hă·rōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 175: Aaron -- an elder brother of Moses

and his sons
וּבָנָ֛יו (ū·ḇā·nāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

are to tend
יַעֲרֹךְ֩ (ya·‘ă·rōḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

the lamps
אֹת֨וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

from evening
מֵעֶ֥רֶב (mê·‘e·reḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

morning.
בֹּ֖קֶר (bō·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

This is to be a perpetual
עוֹלָם֙ (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

statute
חֻקַּ֤ת (ḥuq·qaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute

for the Israelites
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

throughout
מֵאֵ֖ת (mê·’êṯ)
Preposition-m
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

their generations.
לְדֹ֣רֹתָ֔ם (lə·ḏō·rō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling


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OT Law: Exodus 27:21 In the Tent of Meeting outside (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 27:20
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