Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 27:20

20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil-olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn alway .

(i. e.) At all the times appointed, daily, though not continually, as the lamb offered onely every morning and every evening is called a continual burnt-offering, Exod. 29. 42. For that these were lighted onely at the evening may seem probable from the next verse, and from Exod. 27. 21. and 30. 8. Lev. 24. 3. 1 Sam. 3. 3. 2 Chron. 13. 11. But because Iosephus and Philo, who were eye-witnesses of the Temple-service, and had no temptation to ly in this matter, expresly affirm, that some lights did burn in the day-time, and it may seem indecent and improbable, that God should dwell and the Priests minister in darkness, and there were no windows to give light to the Tabernacle by day, it may be granted, that some few burnt in the day, and all in the night, and that the latter is onely mentioned in the places alledged, as being the more solemn time when all are lighted.

z Beaten out of the olives with a pestel, which is freer from dregs than that which is squeezed out with a press.

Marginal references: Heb. to ascend up.