Preface:    There are four topics in Leviticus 24: (1) Keeping the lamp of the Tabernacle lit; (2) the bread for the Table of Bread in the Tabernacle; (3) a young man who blasphemes God; and (4) various laws related to men harming others.

The Bible Summary of Leviticus 24 (in 140 characters or less): Aaron is to tend the lamps and set out the bread before the LORD. An Israelite blasphemed so they took him outside and stoned him.

There are many chapter commentaries on the book of Leviticus. This will be the most extensive examination of Leviticus 24, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text. Every attempt has been made to make this both a complete and self-contained study. Therefore, all references, vocabulary, and related concepts should be found within this extensive study. Easy access links to more in-depth studies of some vocabulary words, concepts and doctrines are also provided.

Outline of Chapter 24:

Introduction

         vv.     1–4           Levitical Responsibilities Concerning the Lamp

         vv.     5–9           Levitical Responsibilities for the Table of Showbread

         vv.    10–12         Half-Egyptian/half-Israelite Blasphemes God

         vv.    13–16         God Clearly Tells the People What to Do

         vv.    17–22         The Consistent and Fair Laws of God

         vv.     23           The Blasphemer is Stoned to Death

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Leviticus 24 (by various commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Leviticus 24 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Leviticus 24

         Introduction         The Prequel of Leviticus 24

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Principals of Leviticus 24

         Introduction         The Places of Leviticus 24

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         Timeline for Leviticus 24

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Leviticus 24

         Introduction         Outlines of Leviticus 24 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Leviticus 24 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Leviticus 1–15)

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions (for Leviticus 24)

         Introduction 

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Leviticus 24 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Leviticus 24

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Leviticus 24

         Summary            Edersheim Summarizes Leviticus 24

         Summary 

         Addendum          Extensive Footnote on Punctured (the Heritage Bible)

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         Addendum          Josephus’ History of this Time Period

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Leviticus 24

         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Leviticus 24

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Leviticus 24

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Leviticus 24

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An Introduction to Leviticus 24

I ntroduction: Leviticus 24 begins with two sections that really belong with Leviticus 23. You may recall that in Leviticus 23, there was a section that confused me. It seemed like Moses was revisiting that final feast and adding more material to it; but it did not appear to be connected to the rest of the chapter. I would suggest that Leviticus 23 has three addendums: (1) the addendum to the final feast (Leviticus 23:36?–39?); (2) keeping the lamp of the Tabernacle lit (Leviticus 24:1–4); and (3) bread for the Tabernacle (Leviticus 24:5–9). By itself, that first addendum seems to be out there by itself and who can explain its placement. However, if there are three addendums to this chapter (or a separate chapter altogether for these three addendums), that would make a little more sense. However, this does not clear up the problem of the location of the three verses at the end of Leviticus 23.

The third topic of Leviticus 24 (it should be the first one) is the young man who blasphemes God. This actually places us back into narrative mode. How is he to be dealt with? The fourth topic in Leviticus 24 is a series of laws related to physical harm or destruction.

Leviticus 24 carries with it some additional commandments from God and then a short portion of it is narrative (the first narrative since Leviticus 10). In this chapter we will see the first occurrence of capital punishment at the hands of the state and laws which deal with sentencing.

Timeline for Leviticus

There is very little narrative in the book of Leviticus; so this information may have been given to Moses in a few days or, at most, a few weeks; and Moses both wrote these things down and informed the people. Because of information previously studied in the introduction, we are not 100% certain if all of this material was given to Moses while in the newly erected Tabernacle. I would lean towards that being the case.

As I have done previously, since this chapters is what God is saying to Moses, I will begin and end the chapter with quotation marks. I will not insert a new set of quotation marks for each new paragraph.

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Levitical Responsibilities Concerning the Lamp

Exodus 25:6 27:20–21

Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:                       Note: I compare the Hebrew text to English translations of the Latin, Syriac (= Aramaic) and Greek texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation; George Lamsa’s translation, and Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton’s translation as revised and edited by Paul W. Esposito, respectively. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.). I often use the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible instead of Brenton’s translation, because it updates the English text.

The Septuagint was the earliest known translation of a book (circa 200 b.c.). Since this translation was made before the textual criticism had been developed into a science and because different books appear to be translated by different men, the Greek translation can sometimes be very uneven.

When there are serious disparities between my translation and Brenton’s (or the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible), I look at the Greek text of the Septuagint (the LXX) to see if a substantive difference actually exists (and I reflect these changes in the English rendering of the Greek text). I use the Greek LXX with Strong’s numbers and morphology available for e-sword. The only problem with this resource (which is a problem for similar resources) is, there is no way to further explore Greek verbs which are not found in the New Testament. Although I usually quote the Complete Apostles’ Bible here, I have begun to make changes in the translation when their translation conflicts with the Greek and note what those changes are.

The Masoretic text is the Hebrew text with all of the vowels (vowel points) inserted (the original Hebrew text lacked vowels). We take the Masoretic text to be the text closest to the original. However, differences between the Masoretic text and the Greek, Latin and Syriac are worth noting and, once in a great while, represent a more accurate text possessed by those other ancient translators.

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The comparisons which I do are primarily between the English translations which are taken from the ancient tongues. For the most part, the variances are so minor that I rarely investigate them any further than that.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Bracketed portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are words, letters and phrases lost in the scroll due to various types of damage. Underlined words or phrases are those in the Dead Sea Scrolls but not in the Masoretic text.

I will only list the translation from the Dead Sea Scrolls if it exists and if it is different from the Masoretic text.

The Targum of Onkelos is actually the Pentateuchal Targumim, which are The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel. On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. From http://www.becomingjewish.org/texts/targum/onkelos_Leviticus.html and first published in 1862.

Occasionally, there is an obvious error in the English translation, and I correct those without additional mention or footnoting. For instance, the online version of the Targum of Onkelos which I use has gorund in Ex. 4:9; I simply corrected the text. This may occur once or twice in a chapter.

I attempt to include translations which are different in their vocabulary and phrasing. On many occasions, I may include a translation which is not substantially different than another listed translation.

Most of the translations can be found here.

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        And so speaks Y^ehowah unto Moses, to say, “Instruct sons of Israel and they will take unto themselves oil of the olive, pure, beaten, for the light to cause to go up a light continuously from outside regarding a veil of the testimony. In a tent of meeting, he will arrange him, Aaron, from evening until morning to faces of Y^ehowah continuously. [This is] a statute of perpetuity to your generations. Upon the lampstand, the pure [one] he will arrange the light to faces of Y^ehowah continuously.

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Targum (Onkelos)                  . Translation for Onkelos and Pseudo-Jonathan by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. (1862).

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   .

Jerusalem targum                  .

Updated Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee the finest and clearest oil of olives, to furnish the lamps continually,

Without the veil of the testimony in the tabernacle of the covenant. And Aaron shall set them from evening until morning before the Lord, by a perpetual service and rite in your generations.

They shall be set upon the most pure candlestick before the Lord continually.

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        Mar-Yah spoke to Mosha, saying,

"Command the B'nai Yisrael, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.

Outside of the veil of the Testimony, in the Tabernacle, shall Aaron keep it in order from evening to morning before Mar-Yah continually: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.

He shall keep in order the lamps on the pure gold menorah before Mar-Yah continually.

Lamsa’s Peshitta (Syriac)     .

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Samaritan Pentateuch           .

Updated Brenton (Greek)       And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

Command the children of Israel, and let them take for you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to burn a lamp continually,

outside the veil in the tabernacle of witness; and Aaron and his sons shall burn it from evening until morning before the Lord continually, a perpetual statute throughout your generations.

You shall burn the lamps on the pure lampstand before the Lord till the morning.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And the Lord said to Moses, 

Give orders to the children of Israel to give you clean olive oil for the light, so that a light may be burning at all times, 

Outside the veil of the ark in the Tent of meeting; let Aaron see that it is burning from evening till morning at all times before the Lord: it is a rule for ever through all your generations. 

Let Aaron put the lights in order on the support before the Lord at all times.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  The LORD said to Moses, "Command the Israelites to bring to you pure oil from crushed olives. That oil is for the lamps that must burn without stopping. Aaron will keep the light burning in the Meeting Tent before the LORD from evening until morning. This light will be outside the curtain that hangs in front of the Box that holds the Agreement. This law will continue forever. Aaron must always keep the lamps burning on the lampstand of pure gold before the LORD.

God’s Word™                         .

Good News Bible (TEV)         The LORD told Moses to give the following orders to the people of Israel: Bring pure olive oil of the finest quality for the lamps in the Tent, so that a light might be kept burning regularly. Each evening Aaron shall light them and keep them burning until morning, there in the LORD's presence outside the curtain in front of the Covenant Box, which is in the Most Holy Place. This regulation is to be observed for all time to come. Aaron shall take care of the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold and must see that they burn regularly in the LORD's presence.

The Message                         .

Names of God Bible               The LORD spoke to Moses, "Command the Israelites to bring you pure, virgin olive oil for the lamp stand so that the lamps won't go out. In the tent of meeting, outside the canopy where the words of my promise are, Aaron must keep the lamps lit in the LORD'S presence from evening until morning. It is a permanent law for generations to come. Aaron must keep the lamps on the pure gold lamp stand lit in the LORD'S presence.

NIRV                                      .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible             .

Contemporary English V.       The LORD told Moses to say to the community of Israel: You must supply the purest olive oil for the lamps in the sacred tent, so they will keep burning. Aaron will set up the gold lampstand in the holy place of the sacred tent. Then he will light the seven lamps that must be kept burning there in my presence, every night from now on. This law will never change.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Life Version                    .

New Living Translation           .

UnfoldingWord (Simplified)    Yahweh also said to Moses,  "Command the Israelite people to constantly bring you clear oil made from pressed olives to burn in the lamps in the sacred tent, in order that those lamps will burn all the time.   Outside the curtain of the very holy place, Aaron must take care of the lamps in my presence continually, in order that they will burn all during the night. That regulation must be obeyed forever.   The priests must constantly take care of the lamps that burn in my presence.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           .

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

Translation for Translators     .

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Christian Standard Bible        .

Berean Study Bible                .

Conservapedia                       .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

The Heritage Bible                          And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,

Command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.

Aaron shall arrange it outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of appointed meeting, from the dusk to the dawn before the face of Jehovah continually; this is an enactment forever in your generations.

He shall arrange the lamps upon the pure lampstand before the face of Jehovah continually.

International Standard V        The Lamp

The Lord spoke to Moses, “Tell the Israelis that they are to bring to you pure oil made from beaten olives in order to keep the lamp burning continuously. Outside the Canopy of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to arrange it continuously in the Lord’s presence from evening until morning as an eternal ordinance throughout your generations. He is to arrange the lamps so that they burn continuously on a ceremonially pure lamp stand in the Lord’s presence.

Lexham English Bible            .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Unfolding Word Literal Text   Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, "Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil beaten from olives to be used in the lamp, that the light may burn continually. Outside the curtain before the covenant decrees in the tent of meeting, Aaron must continually, from evening to morning, keep the lamp lit before Yahweh. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations. The high priest must always keep the lamps lit before Yahweh, the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold.

Urim-Thummim Version         YHWH spoke to Moses saying, Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to ascend continually. Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tabernacle at the Appointed Place Aaron will handle it from sunset to sunrise before YHWH continually; it will be a statute for the ages in your generations. He will prepare the candles on the pure lamp stand in the presence of YHWH continually.

Wikipedia Bible Project          And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying: Command the sons of Israel, and they will take to you pure whipped olive oil, for the light, to raise an eternal flame. Outside of the curtain of the testimony in the tent of events, Aaron will arrange it from evening until morning before Yahweh, always, an eternal statute, to your generations. Upon the pure menorah he will arrange the flames, before Yahweh, always.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, “Command the Israelites to bring you oil from pressed olives for the light, that a lamp may be kept burning continually. Aaron shall keep the flame in order from evening until morning in the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil of the Covenant. It shall be a lasting ordinance for all generations. He shall set the lamps on the pure gold lampstand to burn continually before Yahweh. 25:31 Num 4:16; 1S 3:3

New American Bible(2011)    .

The Catholic Bible                  .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) .

Revised English Bible–1989            .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

Kaplan Translation                 . The Kaplan Translation, particularly in Leviticus through Deuteronomy, takes note of historic rabbinic opinions.

The Scriptures–2009              And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 

"Command the children of Yisra’ěl that they bring to you clear oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually. 

“Outside the veil of the Witness, in the Tent of Appointment, Aharon is to arrange it from evening until morning before יהוה continually – a law forever throughout your generations. 

“He is to arrange the lamps on the clean gold lampstand before יהוה continually.

Tree of Life Version                Then Adonai spoke to Moses saying: “Order Bnei-Yisrael to bring to you pure olive oil, beaten for the light, to keep a lamp burning continually. Outside of the curtain of the Testimony, in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to keep it in order from evening to morning before Adonai continually. It is to be a statute forever throughout your generations. He is to keep the lamps in order on the pure gold menorah before Adonai continually.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Alpha & Omega Bible            AND JESUS SPOKE TO MOSES, SAYING,

“CHARGE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND LET THEM TAKE FOR YOU PURE OLIVE OIL BEATEN FOR THE LIGHT, TO BURN A LAMP CONTINUALLY,

OUTSIDE THE VEIL IN THE TABERNACLE OF WITNESS; AND AARON AND HIS SONS SHALL BURN IT FROM EVENING UNTIL MORNING BEFORE JESUS CONTINUALLY, A LONG-TERM STATUTE THROUGHOUT YOUR GENERATIONS. †("Until morning" proves that days begin at sunrise, not at sunset. Notice verse 4 says "until the next day & verse 3 says until morning. Therefore days begin in the morning, not at sunset.)

YOU SHALL BURN THE LAMPS ON THE PURE MENORAH BEFORE JESUS UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. †(In Exodus 25:31 to Exodus 25:40, Moses was commanded to make a menorah & place it in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. In Zechariah 4:1 to Zechariah 4:10, The symbolism of the menorah was used in connection with the rebuilding of the temple. In Revelation 1-3, the menorah is used in symbolism of the entire New Covenant Church, whose individual members are the temple of JESUS, spiritually speaking.)

Awful Scroll Bible                   Sustains To Become was to speak to Moses, to the intent:

Be laying charge to the sons of Contends-with-he-mighty, even were they to take pure oil of the olive, for the light of the lamp, to be stirred up sustainedly.

Without the veil of the testimony, of the tent of the appointed place, Aaron was to arrange it from evening until morning, turned before Sustains To Become sustainedly, a continual prescription in your generations.

He was to arrange the lamps on the pure lampstand, turned before Sustains To Become sustainedly.

Concordant Literal Version    Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, Instruct the sons of Israel that they should take to you clear olive oil, pounded, for the luminary, to kindle the lamp regularly. Outside the curtain of the testimony in the tent of appointment Aaron and his sons shall arrange it from evening until morning before Yahweh regularly. It shall be an eonian statute throughout your generations. On the pure lampstand shall he arrange the lamps before Yahweh regularly.

exeGeses companion Bible   CONGREGATIONAL TENT MENORAH

And Yah Veh words to Mosheh, saying,

Misvah the sons of Yisra El,

to bring you pure olive oil pestled for the light,

to holocaust the lamps continually.

Outside the veil of the witness,

in the tent of the congregation,

Aharon arranges it continually

from evening to morning

at the face of Yah Veh:

- an eternal statute in your generations.

He arranges the lamps on the pure menorah

at the face of Yah Veh continually.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,

Command the Bnei Yisroel, that they bring unto thee pure shemen zayit beaten for the light, to kindle the Ner Tamid (Perpetual Lamp).

Outside the Parochet (Curtain) of the Edut, in the Ohel Mo'ed shall Aharon set it in order from erev unto boker before Hashem tamid (continually); it shall be a chukkat olam in your dort.

He shall set in order the nerot (lamps) upon the Menorah Hatehorah before Hashem tamid (continually).

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

The Expanded Bible              .

Kretzmann’s Commentary    .

Lexham English Bible            The Sanctuary’s Lamp and Bread

Then [Or “And”] Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the Israelites [Literally “sons/children of Israel”] that [Or “and”] they should bring pure olive oil from beaten olives for the light to present [Literally “to cause raising up”; or “set up” (HALOT 830 s.v. 4.d)] a lamp continually. Aaron shall arrange for it outside [Literally “from the outside of to”] the curtain of the testimony in the tent of assembly from evening until morning before [Literally “to the faces of”] Yahweh continually; it shall be a lasting statute [Literally “a statute of eternity” or “a statute of long duration”] throughout your generations. On the pure golden [Supplied by context and the description of the lampstand in Exod 25:31] lampstand he shall arrange for the lamps before [Literally “to the faces of”] Yahweh continually.

Syndein/Thieme                     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

The Complete Tanach           .

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kaplan Translation                 The Lamp

God spoke to Moses, telling him to

Instruct the Israelites to bring him clear illuminating oil from hand-crushed olives, to keep the lamp burning constantly.

Aaron shall light [the lamp] consistently with [this oil]. [It shall burn] before God, from evening to morning, outside the cloth partition in the Communion Tent. This shall be an eternal law for all your generations.

He shall consistently kindle the lamps on the pure [gold] menorah before God.

him

Literally, 'you.'

clear illuminating oil...

See Exodus 27:20.

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible(2011)    .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B.                   § 20. Provision for the Sanctuary, in Oil and Bread.

Chapter 24.

And Yahweh spake unto Mosesˎ saying: Command the sons of Israelˎ That they bring unto thee—pure oil oliveˎ beatenˎ for giving light,^a—to cause the lamp to burn up continually. <Outside the veil of the testimonyˎ in the tent of meeting> shall Aaron^b order itˎ from evening until morningˎ before Yahwehˎ continually,—a statuteˎ age-abidingˎ to your generations. <Upon the pure lampstand> shall he order the lamps,—before Yahwehˎ continually.

^a Or: “for the light-giver.”

^b Some cod. (w. Sam., Onk. MS.,Sep.) add: “and his sons”— G.n.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Command the children of Israel that they bring to you clear olive oil, beaten pure, for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.  Outside the veil of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, Aaron shall keep it in order from sunset to sunrise before the LORD continually. It shall be a statute forever in your generations.  He shall keep in order the lamps on the pure lampstand before the LORD continually.

C. Thomson Updated OT       .

Charles Thomson OT            And when Moses had mentioned these festivals of the Lord to the Israelites,the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Give orders to the children of Israel, and let them bring the oil, pure expressed oil for light, that a lamp may burn continually, without the veil, in the tabernacle of the testimony. And Aaron and his sons shall keep it burning, from evening till morning, continually, before the Lord. It is an everlasting statute for your generations. You shall keep the lamps burning on the pure candlestick before the Lord, until the morning. V. 23:44 is included for context.

Context Group Version          And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, Command the sons of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. Outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, Aaron shall keep it in order from evening to morning before YHWH continually: it shall be a statute forever throughout your (pl) generations. He shall keep in order the lamps on the pure candlestick before YHWH continually.

English Standard Version      .

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Legacy Standard Bible           .

Literal Standard Version        .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, Command the sons of Israel, that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. Aaron will arrange it outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, from evening to morning before Jehovah continually. It will be an everlasting statute throughout your* genealogy. He will arrange the lamps upon the pure lamp-stand before Jehovah continually.

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Revised Mechanical Trans.    ...and YHWH spoke to Mosheh saying, direct the sons of Yisra'eyl, and they will take to you refined olive oil, smashed for the luminary^[824], to make the lamp continually go up^[825]. From the outside of the tent curtain of the evidence, in the appointed tent, Aharon will arrange him, from the evening until morning, to the face of YHWH continually, a distant custom for your generations. Upon the clean lampstand he will arrange the lamps to the face of YHWH continually,...

824. Meaning the “lamps.”

825. Meaning to “burn.”

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      . perpetual

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young's Updated LT              .

The gist of this passage: 

Translation: Y^ehowah spoke to Moses, saying,...

This phrase begins as do most of the chapters of Leviticus.

It appears that, from the previous chapter, that God spoke to Moses on many occasions, and that the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are mostly presented in chronological order when it comes to the incidents recounted. However, it is possible that God allowed Moses to organize portions of these four books. The book of Deuteronomy is a series of messages given by Moses at the end of his life, where he recounts all of this information to the people (therefore, he is the human editor of that material); but Leviticus 23 suggests that Moses may have had a hand in the organization of that chapter (which implies that he may have had a hand in organizing other chapters). My point being, not that we need to figure out what was strictly recorded as God gave it as opposed to what sections Moses organized, but to realize that this was a very organic process, despite the fact that much of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers were dictated.

Refer back to Leviticus 23 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD).

Translation: ...“Instruct the sons of Israel that they take to themselves pure, beaten olive oil for the light [in the Tabernacle].

Interestingly enough, the Levites are not given this responsibility. Some of the people of Israel will be responsible to provide the pure, beaten olive oil to be used for the lamp in the Tabernacle.

Leviticus 24:1–2a Y^ehowah spoke to Moses, saying, “Instruct the sons of Israel that they take to themselves pure, beaten olive oil for the light [in the Tabernacle]. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: [They will] cause the light to go up continuously...

The lamp inside the Tabernacle, the Menorah, must continuously be lit, so that it would cast light upon everything else which is inside of the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle was not like a church. People did not go into the Tabernacle each Saturday to worship. In fact, no one apart from specific priests every entered into the Tabernacle (also called the Tent of Meeting). And they only entered into the Tabernacle to perform specific tasks.

So we had this tent with furniture, all of which was meaningful, and yet, this was known to the people outside of the Tabernacle (the bulk of the people of Israel) through revelation. God had to tell them what was in the Tent of Meeting and then they had to believe it (this may have possibly been enough faith for salvation in the Old Testament).

The lampstand represents Jesus Christ, Who is the light of the world, Who illuminates all else. Jesus makes God known to mankind. When we believe in Him and then choose to grow spiritually, God reveals to us Himself.

To be clear, this is placing oneself under the teaching of a well-qualified pastor-teacher. This is how the believer in the Church Age grows spiritually.

Translation: ...[just] outside of the veil of testimony.

The table of incense, the lampstand and the table of the bread of Presence were all lined up near the back veil of the Tabernacle. These three items present the gospel of Jesus Christ. The bread represents His humanity; the lampstand represents His Deity (it is made of pure gold); and the table of incense represents God being propitiated because of the offering of Jesus Christ. The sweet smell of the incense comes up to God, and He is pleased with that fragrance.

Behind the veil of testimony is the Ark of God with the Mercy Seat being upon it. The high priest went into this section of the Tabernacle only once a year.

Leviticus 24:2b–3a [They will] cause the light to go up continuously [just] outside of the veil of testimony. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

The Jews at that time were the light of the world and this lamp symbolized that. They had the good news of the Revealed God to share.

Furthermore, this was a light for Y^ehowah, with which he could find the Jews.

Translation: Aaron will arrange it inside the Tent of Meeting [to be lit]...

It appears as though v. 3 is a continuation of v. 2. The verb that Aaron does is ʿârak^e (עָר) [pronounced ģaw-RAK] and the BDB definition is to set in order, to arrange in order; Strong's: to set in a row, to arrange in order. Strong's #6186 BDB #789. However, we only have one item here and presumably Aaron's responsibility is to see that the lamp will stay lit continuously throughout the entire evening every evening, although he may not do the lighting or the changing of the oil personally. The word is first found in Genesis 14:8 when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and two other areas set their men up in the valley for battle. This word is used to describe Abraham arranging the wood for the fire upon which he will offer his son Isaac. This verb and its substantive cognate are both found together for the first time in Exodus 40:4 where Moses is to see to the arrangement on the table of showbread—he is to arrange the arrangement. We will stay with this rough definition until I can come up with a better word or set of words. It is possibly that the relationship here is that Aaron and his sons will arrange a schedule for themselves or will array themselves in a particular order to keep the lamp lit continuously.

Aaron is going to oversee the Tent of Meeting and organize what needs to be done in order for the lampstand to remain lit up. This does not necessarily mean that he does anything himself (sometimes he might but most of the time he probably directs what needs to be done).

Translation: ...from evening till dawn before Y^ehowah continuously.

The golden lampstand inside of the Tabernacle must remain lit from evening until dawn before Y^ehowah all of the time.

I do not know exactly why it is expressed in this way, as the light in the Tabernacle needed to be continuous. Perhaps the idea is, the light of Jesus Christ must be available at all times to those who are in darkness.

Translation: [This will be] a perpetual statute throughout your generations.

This is what the Israelites were to follow throughout all of their generations.

Leviticus 24:3b-d Aaron will arrange it inside the Tent of Meeting [to be lit] from evening till dawn before Y^ehowah continuously. [This will be] a perpetual statute throughout your generations. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Translation: [Aaron] will organize the light on the lampstand [to be] continuously before Y^ehowah. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Aaron, at this point in time, will oversee all that is done. The next high priest will continue this responsibility.

Leviticus 24:4 [Aaron] will organize the light on the lampstand [to be] continuously before Y^ehowah. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

This refers to the lampstand, one of the articles of furniture for the Tabernacle. Apparently, the lamps are possibly separate from the lampstand or can be separated from the lampstand; Aaron is to arrange them on the lampstand and to see that they are kept lit.

The importance of this cannot be over emphasized: [Paul speaks on his first missionary journey] "For thus the Lord has commanded us: 'I have place you as light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the end of the earth.'" (Acts 13:47 Isaiah 49:6). This light that Israel has for the world is Jesus Christ. And he [Simeon] came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him the custom of the Law; then he took Him into his arms and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You may let You slave depart in peace, according to Your Word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people, Israel." (Luke 2:27–32 Isaiah 42:6). "Y^ehowah called Me out from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me...And He said to Me, 'You are My servant, Israel, in Whom I will show My glory.' But I said, "I have toiled in vain. I have spent My strength for nothing and emptiness; yet surely the justice to Me is with Y^ehowah and My reward is with My God." And now says Y^ehowah, Who formed Me out from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, in order that Israel might be gathered to Him (for I am honored in the sight of Y^ehowah, and My God My strength). He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the antions so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'" (Isaiah 49:1b, 3–6). And again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12).

Leviticus 24:1–4 Y^ehowah spoke to Moses, saying, “Instruct the sons of Israel that they take to themselves pure, beaten olive oil for the light [in the Tabernacle]. [They will] cause the light to go up continuously [just] outside of the veil of testimony. Aaron will arrange it inside the Tent of Meeting [to be lit] from evening till dawn before Y^ehowah continuously. [This will be] a perpetual statute throughout your generations. [Aaron] will organize the light on the lampstand [to be] continuously before Y^ehowah. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Leviticus 24:1–4 Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, “Now instruct the sons of Israel to regularly gather and produce pure beaten olive oil which will be used to provide light inside the Tent of Meeting. By providing this oil, they will cause the lamp to be lit up continuously just outside of the veil of testimony. Aaron will organize what needs to be done inside the Tent of Meeting, so that the lamp remains burning from evening till dawn continuously before Jehovah. This stands as a perpetual statute throughout your generations. Aaron, or a high priest will organize the continuous light on the lampstand before Jehovah. (Kukis paraphrase)

——————————

Levitical Responsibilities for the Table of Showbread

Exodus 25:23–30

Here is how others have translated this passage:

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        And you have taken fine flour and you have baked with her two-teen cakes; a pair of tenths [of an ephah] is the cake the one. And you have placed them two rows six [in each] pile, upon the table, the pure (one) to faces of Y^ehowah. And you have given upon [it] a row of frankincense pure and she has been for the bread for a memorial-offering, a fire offering to Yehowah.

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Jerusalem targum                  .

Targum (Onkelos)                  .

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   .

Aramaic Targum                    .

The Psalms Targum              .

Updated Douay-Rheims         .

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) Thou shalt take also fine flour, and shalt bake twelve loaves thereof, two tenths shall be in every loaf.

And thou shalt set them six and six, one against another, upon the most clean table before the Lord.

And thou shalt put upon them the clearest frankincense, that the bread may be for a memorial of the oblation of the Lord.

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        "You shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it: two tenth parts of an efah shall be in one cake.

You shall set them in two rows, six on a row, on the pure gold table before Mar-Yah.

You shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire to Mar-Yah.

Original Aramaic Psalms        .

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa’s Peshitta (Syriac)     .

Samaritan Pentateuch           .

Updated Brenton (Greek)       And you shall take fine flour, and make of it twelve loaves; each loaf shall be of two tenth parts.

And you shall put them in two rows, each row containing six loaves, on the pure table before the Lord.

And you shall put on each row pure frankincense and salt; and these things shall be for loaves for a memorial, set forth before the Lord.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And take the best meal and make twelve cakes of it, a fifth part of an ephah in every cake. 

And put them in two lines, six in a line, on the holy table before the Lord. 

And on the lines of cakes put clean sweet-smelling spices, for a sign on the bread, an offering made by fire to the Lord.

Easy English                          .

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  "Take fine flour and bake twelve loaves with it. Use 16 cups of flour for each loaf. Put them in two rows on the golden table before the LORD. Six loaves will be in each row. Put pure frankincense on each row. This will help the LORD remember the gift.

God’s Word™                         "Also take flour and bake twelve rings of bread. Each ring will contain four quarts of flour. Put them in two stacks of six each on the gold table in the LORD'S presence. Lay pure incense on top of each stack. The incense on the bread will be a reminder, an offering by fire to the LORD.

Good News Bible (TEV)         Take twenty-four pounds of flour and bake twelve loaves of bread. Put the loaves in two rows, six in each row, on the table covered with pure gold, which is in the LORD's presence. Put some pure incense on each row, as a token food offering to the LORD to take the place of the bread.

The Message                         .

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      .

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible             .

Contemporary English V.       Use your finest flour to bake twelve loaves of bread about four pounds each, then take them into the sacred tent and lay them on the gold table in two rows of six loaves. Alongside each row put some pure incense that will be sent up by fire in place of the bread as an offering to me.

The Living Bible                     .

New Berkeley Version           .

New Life Version                    .

New Living Translation           .

The Passion Translation        .

Unfolding Bible Simplified      Also, each week you must take some fine flour and bake twelve very big loaves of bread, using four and one-half liters of flour for each loaf. Put the loaves in two rows, with six loaves in each row, on the table covered with pure gold, in my presence. Along each row, place on the gold table some pure incense to be burned as an offering to me instead of the bread.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           .

New Advent (Knox) Bible       .

Translation for Translators     .

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Berean Study Bible                .

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  .

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

The Heritage Bible                 .

International Standard V        “Take fine flour and bake twelve cakes using two tenths of a measure [The unit of measurement is not specified in MT, but cf. Lev. 5:11, 6:20.] for each cake. Arrange them in two rows, six on each row on a ceremonially pure table in the Lord’s presence. Put pure frankincense on each row for a memorial offering. It will serve as an offering made by fire to the Lord.

H. C. Leupold                         .

Lexham English Bible            .

NIV, ©2011                             .

Unfolding Bible Literal Text    You must take fine flour and bake twelve loaves with it. There must be two-tenths of an ephah in each loaf. Then you must set them in two rows, six in a row, on the table of pure gold before Yahweh. You must put pure incense along each row of loaves as a representative offering. This incense will be burnt for Yahweh.

Urim-Thummim Version         You will take fine flour and bake 12 cakes using 4 quarts per cake. Then you will set them in two rows, 6 to a row upon the pure table before YHWH. You will put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be on the bread for a Memorial-Offering, a Burnt-Offering made by fire unto YHWH.

Wikipedia Bible Project          And you took fine flour, and you baked it, twelve loafs, two tenths [eipha] will be in each loaf. And you put them in two rows, six to a row, on the pure table, before Yahweh. And you put on the row, pure frankincense, and it was for the bread to be a memorial, firy for Yahweh.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  Then you shall take fine flour and make twelve cakes, two-tenths of a measure in each cake. Place them in two rows, six in each, on the pure gold table before Yahweh. On each row put pure frankincense, so that the bread may be a memorial, as an offering by fire to Yahweh. 1S 21:5; Mt 12:4

New American Bible (2011)   .

The Catholic Bible                  .

New Jerusalem Bible             .

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

Kaplan Translation                 .

The Scriptures–2009              “And you shall take fine flour and bake twelve cakes with it, two-tenths of an ěphah in each cake. 

“And you shall set them in two rows, six in a row, on the clean table before יהוה. 

“And you shall put clear frankincense on each row, and it shall be on the bread as a remembrance portion, an offering made by fire to יהוה.

Tree of Life Version                “Also you are to take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it, with two tenths of an ephah in each cake. Then you are to set them in two rows, six in a row, on the pure gold table before Adonai. Set pure frankincense on each row, as a memorial portion for the bread, an offering by fire to Adonai.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Alpha & Omega Bible            · AND YOU SHALL TAKE FINE FLOUR, AND MAKE OF IT TWELVE LOAVES; EACH LOAF SHALL BE OF TWO TENTH PARTS.

AND YOU SHALL PUT THEM IN TWO ROWS, EACH ROW CONTAINING SIX LOAVES, ON THE PURE TABLE BEFORE JESUS.

AND YOU SHALL PUT ON EACH ROW PURE FRANKINCENSE AND SALT; AND THESE THINGS SHALL BE FOR LOAVES FOR A MEMORIAL, SET FORTH BEFORE JESUS.

Awful Scroll Bible                   He is to have taken fine flour, and is to have baked twelve perforated cakes, two tenths is to be in each cake.

He is to have put them in two rows, six aligned, on the pure table, turned toward Sustains To Become

He is to have set pure white resin, aligned for the bread of memorial, a fire offering to Sustains To Become.

Concordant Literal Version    You will take flour and bake of it twelve perforated cakes. Two tenths of an ephah shall there be for one perforated cake.

And you will place them in two arrays, six to the array, on the pure table before Yahweh.

You will put along each array clear frankincense, and it will be used instead of the bread as a memorial portion, a fire offering to Yahweh.

exeGeses companion Bible   CONGREGATIONAL TENT CAKES

And take flour and bake twelve cakes thereof

- two tenths in one cake:

and set them in two rows, six in a row,

on the pure table at the face of Yah Veh:

and give pure frankincense on each row,

on the bread to become a memorial

- even a firing to Yah Veh.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake Sheteym Esreh Challot thereof; two tenths of an ephah shall be in Challah HaEchad.

And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the Shulchan HaTahor before Hashem.

And thou shalt put levonah zakkah (pure incense) upon each row, that it may be on the lechem for a memorial portion, even an offering made by eish unto Hashem.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                .

The Expanded Bible              .

Kretzmann’s Commentary    

Lexham English Bible            “And you shall take finely milled flour, and you shall bake with it twelve ring-shaped bread cakes: each one shall be two-tenths of an ephah. And you shall place them in two rows, six to the row, on the pure gold [Supplied by context and the description of the table in Exod 25:24] table before [Literally “to the faces of”] Yahweh. And you shall put pure frankincense on each [Hebrew “the”] row so that [Or “and”] it shall be for the bread as a memorial offering, an offering made by fire for Yahweh.

Syndein/Thieme                     .

The Voice                               .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

The Complete Tanach           .

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kaplan Translation                 The Showbread

You shall take the finest grade of wheat flour and bake it into twelve loaves. Each loaf shall contain two-tenths [of an ephah].

Arrange [these loaves] in two stacks, six loaves to each stack. This shall be on the undefiled table which is before God.

Place pure frankincense alongside these stacks. This will be the memorial portion [presented as] a fire offering to God.

two-tenths...

Around one gallon.

on the undefiled table

See Exodus 25:30.

frankincense

See Exodus 30:34. This was placed in a bowl; see Exodus 25:29. There were three fingers full (a kometz) of this incense (Yad, Temidim 5:2).

alongside

(Menachoth 97a; Yad, Temidim 5:2). Literally, 'on.'

memorial portion

Azkara in Hebrew; see Leviticus 2:9. Only the frankincense was burnt; the breads were eaten by the priests.

NET Bible®                             .

New American Bible (2011)   .

New Catholic Bible                 .

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. And thou shalt take fine meal, and bake it, in twelve cakes,—<of two-tenths> shall eachʹ cake be. And thou shalt set them in two rowsˎ^c six in a row,^d—upon the pure tableˎ before Yahweh. And thou shalt putˎ upon each rowˎ pure frankincense,—so shall it belong unto the bread as a memorial, an altar-flame unto Yahweh.

^c Or: “piles.”

^d Or: “pile.”

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  .

C. Thomson Updated OT       .

Charles Thomson OT            And you shall take fine flour, and make it into twelve loaves, every loaf shall consist of two tenths; and you shall lay them in two piles, six loaves in each pile, on the pure table before the Lord. And on each pile you shall lay pure frankincense, and salt. They shall be set before the Lord for loaves of remembrance.

Context Group Version          .

English Standard Version      .

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Legacy Standard Bible           .

Literal Standard Version        And you have taken flour, and have baked twelve cakes with it, two-tenth parts are in one cake, and you have set them [in] two rows (six in the row) on the pure table before YHWH, and you have put pure frankincense on the row, and it has been with the bread for a memorial, a fire-offering to YHWH.

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version 2020  And you will take fine flour and bake twelve cakes of it. Two tenth parts of 10-gallon container will be in one cake. And you will set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before Jehovah. And you will put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even a fire-offering to Jehovah.

New American Standard B.    .

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Owen's Translation                .

Revised Mechanical Trans.    ...and you will take flour and you will bake twelve pierced breads, two tenths will exist in one pierced bread, and you will place them in two arrangements, six in a line upon the clean table to the face of YHWH, and you will place refined frankincense upon the line, and she will exist for the bread for a memorial, a fire offering to YHWH.

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young’s Updated LT             .

The gist of this passage: 

5-7

Translation: And you have taken fine flour and you will bake with it twelve cakes.

I do not know the difference between cake and loaves of bread (insofar as ancient Israel is concerned). This would certainly not be what we understand to be cake.

Translation: Two-tenths [of an ephah of flour] is for one cake.

The less-literal renderings have this amount of flour as between one and two gallons of flour. So, we are talking a pretty large loaf of bread. Twelve of these cakes would be produced.

Leviticus 24:5 And you have taken fine flour and you will bake with it twelve cakes. Two-tenths [of an ephah of flour] is for one cake. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

The Tabernacles has been standing for only a relatively short time and now God is seeing that the details are taken care of.

Translation: And you have placed them [into] two rows [of] six [in each] pile on the pure [gold] table before Y^ehowah.

Inside of the Tabernacle is the table of showbread, which table is made of pure gold. These loaves of bread or cakes would have been quite large. I see them as covering the top of the table almost entirely. I do not know exactly stacking them. Of all the models I have seen, the flatbread is made with perhaps 2–4 cups of flour each, which is considerably less that what we have here (unless to equivalency measures are wrong).

Given the size of these cakes, I don’t really know how they would stack, being as large as they would be. Again, I lean toward the idea that the amounts suggested are too much (I have made bread before).

Leviticus 24:6 And you have placed them [into] two rows [of] six [in each] pile on the pure [gold] table before Y^ehowah. (Kukis mostly literal translation)

Since the Jews are beginning to bring sacrifices to Y^ehowah and their holy days are about to begin, God sees to it that Moses takes care of everything for their ceremonies. This is the showbread or, better, the bread of the Presence.

Translation: Also you will place on [this table] a row of pure frankincense.

Frankincense was also made a part of this offering. Based upon the way I read this, frankincense was placed along with the bread (cake) on the Table of Showbread.