Leviticus 24:1-4 - Exposition

The ordinance on the lamps contained in the first three verses is repeated from Exodus 27:20 . The oil to be used for the lamps was to be pure oil olive , that is, oil made of picked berries, without any intermixture of dust or twigs; and it was to be beaten instead of "pressed," because when the berries were crushed in the olive-press, small portions of them became mixed with and discoloured the oil, which was, therefore, less pure than when the fruit was simply beaten and then left to drain. The lamps were to burn continually ; that is, from evening to morning every night. Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation; that is, in the holy place, as distinct from the holy of holies. Aaron , either personally or by his sons (see Exodus 27:21 ), was to dress the lamps every morning, and light them every evening ( Exodus 30:7 ). The lamps were upon the seven-branched candlestick, which is called the pure candlestick , because made of gold. The light of the seven-branched candlestick symbolized the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit, which should illumine God's Church ( Zechariah 4:2-6 ; Revelation 1:12 , Revelation 1:20 ).