Exodus 27:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The mention of pure oil, free from impurities, appears to symbolize the most pristine and flawless essence of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit, in a way beyond our understanding, enters our being like oil, providing nourishment, sustaining us, and multiplying the light present within our souls, akin to the illumination found in a lamp.

"‘And let them take to you the oil of maslicium .... for the lighting of the lamps.’ This symbolizes the teachings of the Crucified Christ, as any oil that does not embody 'oiliness' conveys doctrines that are not aligned with His truth."

The illumination of the sanctuary is accomplished using pure oil, which refers specifically to olive oil derived through a cold-pressing method rather than by means of heat. It is believed that the term "beaten out" denotes the process of oil extraction through grinding in a mortar. This technique ensures that the finest oil is produced from ripe olives. In contrast, the residual pulp, along with unselected olives, is subjected to heat and high pressure, resulting in oil of a lesser quality.