Exodus 27:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
בְּאֹ֣הֶל
In the tabernacle
H168
בְּאֹ֣הֶל
In the tabernacle
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
1 of 22
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵד֩
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵד֩
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
מִח֨וּץ
without
H2351
מִח֨וּץ
without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַֽעֲרֹךְ֩
shall order
H6186
יַֽעֲרֹךְ֩
shall order
Strong's:
H6186
Word #:
8 of 22
to set in a row, i.e., arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)
אֹת֨וֹ
H853
אֹת֨וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֥י
and his sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
13 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בֹּ֖קֶר
to morning
H1242
בֹּ֖קֶר
to morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עוֹלָם֙
for ever
H5769
עוֹלָם֙
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לְדֹ֣רֹתָ֔ם
unto their generations
H1755
לְדֹ֣רֹתָ֔ם
unto their generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
מֵאֵ֖ת
H854
מֵאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
Cross References
Numbers 19:21And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even.Numbers 18:23But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.Exodus 30:8And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.Leviticus 3:17It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.Leviticus 16:34And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.2 Chronicles 13:11And 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.1 Samuel 3:3And 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 Peter 1:19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:Exodus 28:43And 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.John 5:35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain spiritual light 'from evening to morning' through life's dark seasons?
- What does your responsibility to 'tend the light' look like in daily practice?
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Analysis & 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.