Leviticus 24:2 Study Bible: "Command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.

Bible > Leviticus > Chapter 24 > Verse 2

◄ Leviticus 24:2 ►

"Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.

Command the Israelites
This phrase indicates a direct instruction from God to Moses, emphasizing the importance of obedience and the role of Moses as a mediator between God and His people. The Hebrew word for "command" (צַו, tzav) implies a sense of urgency and authority. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship where God provides guidance and the Israelites are expected to follow His decrees.

to bring you
This phrase suggests an act of offering or contribution from the community. The Hebrew verb "to bring" (יָבִיאוּ, yavi'u) conveys a sense of active participation and responsibility among the Israelites. It highlights the communal aspect of worship and the shared duty in maintaining the sacred practices.

pure oil of pressed olives
The specification of "pure oil" underscores the requirement for quality and purity in offerings to God. The Hebrew word for "pure" (זַךְ, zach) denotes cleanliness and unblemished nature, symbolizing holiness and dedication. "Pressed olives" refers to the first pressing, which yields the finest oil, historically used in ancient Near Eastern cultures for both culinary and religious purposes. This oil was essential for the menorah, symbolizing the light of God's presence.

for the light
This phrase signifies the purpose of the oil, which is to fuel the lamps in the Tabernacle. The Hebrew word for "light" (אוֹר, or) is often associated with divine presence and guidance. In a broader scriptural context, light represents truth, purity, and the revelation of God to His people, as seen throughout the Bible.

to keep the lamps burning continually
The continuous burning of the lamps symbolizes the perpetual presence of God among His people. The Hebrew word for "continually" (תָּמִיד, tamid) implies an unending, consistent practice, reflecting the eternal nature of God's covenant. This practice served as a constant reminder of God's faithfulness and the Israelites' duty to maintain their spiritual vigilance and devotion.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received God's commandments and instructions, including those regarding the Tabernacle and its services.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were commanded to bring pure olive oil for the lampstand in the Tabernacle.

3. Tabernacle
The portable sanctuary where God dwelled among His people and where the lampstand was located.

4. Lampstand (Menorah)
A seven-branched candelabrum in the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's presence and light.

5. Pure Oil of Pressed Olives
The specific type of oil required for the lampstand, symbolizing purity and dedication.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Purity
The requirement for "pure oil of pressed olives" underscores the need for purity in our offerings and service to God. Just as the oil had to be pure, our lives should be free from sin and dedicated to God.

Continual Devotion
The command to keep the lamps burning continually highlights the need for ongoing devotion and vigilance in our spiritual lives. We are called to maintain our spiritual fervor and not let our light dim.

Community Responsibility
The Israelites were collectively responsible for providing the oil, illustrating the importance of community in sustaining the work of God. In the church, each member contributes to the collective mission and ministry.

Symbolism of Light
Light in the Tabernacle symbolized 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.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the requirement for "pure oil of pressed olives" teach us about the nature of our offerings to God?

2. How can we ensure that our spiritual "lamps" are burning continually in our daily lives?

3. In what ways can we, as a community of believers, support one another in maintaining our spiritual light?

4. How does the symbolism of light in the Tabernacle connect to Jesus' teachings about being the light of the world?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence as a guiding light in your life. How can you share that experience with others to encourage them?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 27:20-21
These verses provide the initial command for the Israelites to bring pure olive oil for the lampstand, emphasizing the importance of continual light in the Tabernacle.

Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus speaks of believers as the light of the world, drawing a parallel to the lampstand's role in the Tabernacle.

John 8:12
Jesus declares Himself the Light of the World, connecting the physical light of the lampstand to the spiritual light He provides.

Revelation 1:12-13
The vision of the seven golden lampstands, representing the churches, ties back to the symbolism of light and presence in Leviticus.

Sermons

Everlasting Light	R.M. Edgar	Leviticus 24:1-4
Ourselves as Lights	W. Clarkson	Leviticus 24:1-4
The Lighting of the Sanctuary	J.A. Macdonald	Leviticus 24:1-4
The Lights in the Sanctuary	R.A. Redford	Leviticus 24:1-4
The Candlestick	R.A. Redford	Leviticus 24:2-4
Christ a Comforting Presence	Richard Newton, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ an Enlightening Presence	Richard Newton, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
Christ the True Presence Bread	F. H. White	Leviticus 24:2-9
Directions for Furnishing of the Sanctuary	Henry, Matthew	Leviticus 24:2-9
Symbols and Their Meaning	J. Cumming, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Priest Setting the Lamps in Order Daily Represents Christ Causing His People Daily to Receive and Give Forth Light and Life	A. A. Bonar.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Sanctuary and its Furniture	J. A. Seiss, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Shewbread as Typical of Christ	J. H. Holford, M. A.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table and Shewbread Typical of Christ and His Church	John Gill, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9
The Table for the Bread of Faces	George Junkin, D. D.	Leviticus 24:2-9

People

Aaron, Dan, Dibri, Ephah, Israelites, Israelitess, Moses, Shelomith

Places

Teman

Topics

Beaten, Bring, Burn, Burning, Cause, Clean, Clear, Command, Continually, Israelites, Kept, Lamp, Lamps, Oil, Olive, Olives, Orders, Pressed, Pure, Sons

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Leviticus 24:2

4488 oil
4492 olive

Leviticus 24:2-4

5373 lamp and lampstand

Library

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to …
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

A Divine Saviour.
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew xvi. 1; John vi. 69.) We meet with a certain class of Enquirers who do not believe in the Divinity of Christ. There are many passages that will give light on this subject. In 1 Corinthians xv. 47, we are told: "The first man is of the earth earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven." In 1 John v. 20: "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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