In the tent of meeting uses the term ʾohel moʿed, which is explained in the introductory comments to chapter 26. Here it obviously refers to the elaborate tent that is described in chapter 26, where it is consistently called the mishkan (Revised Standard Version “tabernacle”). In this verse, however, the later editors of Exodus are now calling it the ʾohel moʿed, which in an earlier tradition referred only to the simple “tent of meeting” that Moses used when he talked with Yahweh. (See 33.7-11 and the introductory comment there.) These two terms are now used interchangeably in the remaining chapters of Exodus for the “tabernacle” described in chapter 26 and finally constructed in chapter 36. Since it is helpful to distinguish between these two tents, translators have several options. One may translate the Hebrew literally, as in Revised Standard Version (tent of meeting), even when it refers to the mishkan described in chapter 26, but adding a footnote to explain that it refers to the same tent described there. Or one may choose to use the same term selected in chapter 26 for translating mishkan (“tabernacle”) and add a footnote explaining that the Hebrew here uses the term “tent of meeting” to refer to the same tent. Again, if the context is sufficiently clear, one may simply translate “the tent” and expect the reader to understand that it refers to that elaborate tent. However, it is possible to avoid this problem by identifying the area more precisely; for example, “in front of the curtain that separates the holy place from the most holy place.”
Outside the veil means on the other side of the “curtain” (Good News Translation) from the Holy of Holies, where the ark of the covenant was kept. This was inside the Holy Place. The veil was the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place (26.33). Which is before the testimony simply means, as Good News Translation puts it, “which is in front of the Covenant Box,” that is, the ark of the covenant. The word testimony, when used alone, may refer either to the stone tablets on which the terms of the covenant were written, or to the “Box” into which they were to be placed. (See the comments at 25.21 and 25.22.)
Aaron and his sons shall tend it refers to the lamp in verse 20, which probably means the lampstand (see 26.35). Shall tend it is literally “he shall arrange [or, prepare] it.” Good News Translation has “set up the lamp,” but it also probably means that Aaron “must keep the lamp in trim” (Revised English Bible) or “keep the lamps burning” (New International Version). A translation will be quite accurate if it implies regular care for the lamps as well as setting them up every evening. The verb “he shall arrange” is singular in form, and some scholars believe that the words and his sons were added later. (See Lev 24.4 and Exo 30.7-8.)
From evening to morning suggests that the lamps were to be burned only at night. Contemporary English Version has “keeping the lamp burning every night.” Before the LORD is literally “to the face of Yahweh.” This means “in the LORD’s presence” (Translator’s Old Testament). Since Yahweh is speaking, Good News Translation changes this to “in my presence.”
It shall be a statute for ever is literally “an ordinance of long time.” The same expression is used in 12.14. New Revised Standard Version has “It shall be a perpetual ordinance.” To be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel is literally “for their generations from the sons of Israel.” To be observed is understood from the word statute (choq). Their generations refers to the descendants of the Israelites. So Good News Translation says it clearly: “This command is to be kept by the Israelites and their descendants.”
An alternative translation model for this verse is:
• Aaron and his sons are to set up the lamp outside the curtain [veil] that separates the holy place from the most holy place where the sacred chest is kept.
They are responsible for keeping the lamps burning every night. The Israelites must always obey this command.
Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .