Hebrews 8:5

KJV

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3748} serve {G3000} unto the example {G5262} and {G2532} shadow {G4639} of heavenly things {G2032}, as {G2531} Moses {G3475} was admonished of God {G5537} when he was about {G3195} to make {G2005} the tabernacle {G4633}: for {G1063}, See {G3708}, saith he {G5346}, that thou make {G4160} all things {G3956} according to {G2596} the pattern {G5179} shewed {G1166} to thee {G4671} in {G1722} the mount {G3735}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But what they are serving is only a copy and shadow of the heavenly original; for when Moshe was about to erect the Tent, God warned him, “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.”

Berean Standard Bible

The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

American Standard Version

who servethat which isa copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warnedof Godwhen he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 8:5 elucidates the profound theological truth that the Old Covenant priestly service and the earthly Tabernacle were not ultimate realities but divinely ordained representations—an "example" and "shadow"—of superior, heavenly counterparts. The verse grounds this understanding in God's explicit admonition to Moses during the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing that every detail was to conform precisely to a "pattern" revealed on Mount Sinai, thereby establishing the earthly sanctuary as a deliberate, divinely designed copy of a celestial original.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within the author's overarching argument in Hebrews concerning the superiority of Jesus Christ's high priesthood and the New Covenant over the Levitical priesthood and the Old Covenant. Having established Christ's high priestly office in [Hebrews 7](/hebrews/7 "Hebrews 7 - Christ's Superior Priesthood") and introduced the concept of a "better covenant" with "better promises" in [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ's More Excellent Ministry"), Hebrews 8:5 serves as the foundational Old Testament premise for this claim. It explains *why* Christ's ministry is superior: because the earthly system, including the Tabernacle, was inherently provisional and merely a copy, pointing to the true, heavenly sanctuary where Christ now ministers. It sets the stage for the detailed exposition of the New Covenant in the subsequent verses of [Hebrews 8](/hebrews/8 "Hebrews 8 - The New Covenant") and the contrast between the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries in [Hebrews 9](/hebrews/9 "Hebrews 9 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice and Sanctuary").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Tabernacle was the central place of worship for Israel during their wilderness wanderings and early settlement in Canaan, serving as God's dwelling place among His people. Its design, rituals, and priestly functions were meticulously prescribed by God through Moses, as detailed in [Exodus 25-40](/exodus/25-40 "Exodus 25-40 - Construction of the Tabernacle"). For the original Jewish audience of Hebrews, the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) represented the pinnacle of their religious identity and access to God. The author's assertion that this sacred institution was merely an "example and shadow" would have been a radical, yet compelling, reinterpretation of their most cherished religious symbols. The concept of an earthly copy reflecting a heavenly original was not entirely foreign in ancient thought, but the author of Hebrews elevates it to a unique theological principle, demonstrating God's consistent plan for redemption culminating in Christ.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 8:5 powerfully contributes to several key themes pervasive throughout the book. The most prominent is the theme of **Shadow and Reality**, where the earthly institutions of the Old Covenant (like the Tabernacle and its rituals) are presented as mere temporary "shadows" ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - The Shadow of Things to Come")) that foreshadow the ultimate, substantial "reality" found in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. This verse also underscores the theme of **Divine Blueprint and Perfection**, highlighting God's meticulous and purposeful design in all things related to worship and salvation, from the precise instructions given to Moses for the Tabernacle's construction ([Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - The Pattern for the Tabernacle")) to the perfect, eternal plan fulfilled in Christ. Finally, it reinforces the **Superiority of Christ's Ministry**, implicitly arguing that if the earthly sanctuary was a copy, then the ministry performed within it was necessarily inferior to Christ's, which takes place in the true, heavenly sanctuary.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **example (Greek, _hypódeigma'_):** This term (G5262) denotes a pattern, a copy, or an exhibit for imitation or warning. In this context, it signifies that the earthly Tabernacle served as a divinely provided model or representation, not the ultimate reality itself. It was a tangible illustration of something greater and unseen.
* **shadow (Greek, _skiá'_):** The word (G4639) literally means "shade" or "a shadow." Figuratively, it conveys the idea of an outline or a faint image, rather than the full substance or body. This emphasizes the provisional and incomplete nature of the Old Covenant institutions, which merely hinted at the true form to come.
* **pattern (Greek, _týpos'_):** This word (G5179) refers to a die, a stamp, or a mold, implying a precise impression or model. When God commanded Moses to build "according to the pattern," it meant an exact replica of a pre-existing divine design, reinforcing the idea that the earthly Tabernacle was a faithful, though limited, representation of a heavenly original.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things":** This clause describes the Levitical priests and their ministry within the earthly Tabernacle. Their service was directed towards, or functioned as, a mere "example" (a pattern or copy) and "shadow" (a faint outline) of realities that truly exist in the heavenly realm. This immediately establishes the provisional and symbolic nature of the Old Covenant system.
* **"as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle":** This introduces the historical precedent and divine authority for the "example and shadow" concept. The author refers to God's direct instruction to Moses, highlighting that the earthly sanctuary's design was not arbitrary but divinely revealed and commanded, thus lending credibility to its symbolic significance. The phrase "was admonished of God" (G5537, _chrēmatízō_) implies a divine oracle or intimation.
* **"for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount":** This is a direct quotation or paraphrase of God's command to Moses, primarily found in [Exodus 25:40](/exodus/25-40 "Exodus 25:40 - The Pattern for the Tabernacle"). The conjunction "for" (G1063, _gár_) introduces the reason or justification for the preceding statement. God's imperative "See" (G3708, _horáō_) emphasizes the critical importance of precise adherence. The phrase "according to the pattern" (G2596, _katá_ + G5179, _týpos_) underscores that the earthly Tabernacle was to be a faithful reproduction of a specific, divine blueprint "shewed to thee in the mount" (Mount Sinai), confirming its derivative nature from a heavenly original.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several powerful literary devices in Hebrews 8:5 to convey his theological argument. **Symbolism** is central, as the entire earthly Tabernacle and its priestly service function as symbols pointing to greater spiritual realities. This is explicitly stated through the terms "example" and "shadow," which are themselves symbolic representations of something else. Closely related is **Typology**, where the Old Covenant institutions (the "type") are presented as divinely ordained prefigurements of the New Covenant realities (the "antitype") found in Christ. The Tabernacle, therefore, is a type of the heavenly sanctuary. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast** by juxtaposing the earthly, temporary, and imperfect nature of the Tabernacle with the implied heavenly, eternal, and perfect nature of the true sanctuary. The author's reliance on an Old Testament quotation demonstrates **Allusion** and **Intertextuality**, grounding his New Covenant theology in the very scriptures revered by his audience, thereby establishing continuity while simultaneously highlighting fulfillment and superiority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 8:5 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Covenants. It profoundly teaches that God's redemptive plan is singular and progressive, with earlier stages serving as preparatory and illustrative. The earthly Tabernacle, with its intricate design and sacrificial system, was never intended to be the ultimate solution for sin or the final dwelling place of God among humanity. Instead, it was a divinely crafted visual aid, a tangible object lesson designed to teach Israel about the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of atonement, all while pointing forward to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice and heavenly ministry of Jesus Christ. This verse underscores that God's revelation is coherent and purposeful, with every detail of the Old Covenant serving to anticipate the full and final revelation in Christ.

* [Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - Shadow of Things to Come")
* [Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Entrance into the True Sanctuary")
* [Exodus 25:40](/exodus/25-40 "Exodus 25:40 - The Pattern for the Tabernacle")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 8:5 challenges believers to look beyond the superficial and temporal to grasp the profound spiritual realities that God intends to reveal. It reminds us that true worship is not merely about external rituals or physical structures, but about engaging with the living God through Jesus Christ, who is the substance and fulfillment of all Old Testament types and shadows. For us today, this means cultivating a faith that prioritizes the spiritual over the material, the eternal over the temporal. It calls us to center our worship, our understanding of salvation, and our daily lives on Christ, recognizing that in Him, we have direct and complete access to God in the true, heavenly sanctuary. This perspective should deepen our appreciation for God's meticulous planning and His unwavering faithfulness in bringing His redemptive purposes to fruition in Jesus.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, in our modern worship or spiritual practices, inadvertently focus on "shadows" rather than the "reality" of Christ?**
* **How does understanding the Tabernacle as a "pattern" of heavenly things deepen your appreciation for God's wisdom and intentionality in His redemptive plan?**
* **What does it mean for your personal faith to know that Christ ministers in a true, heavenly sanctuary, rather than an earthly one?**
* **How can the concept of "shadow and reality" help you discern between temporary forms and eternal truths in your Christian walk?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command such detailed instructions for the Tabernacle if it was just a "shadow" and "example"?**

Answer: God commanded meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle precisely *because* it was a "shadow" and "example" of heavenly things. The precision was crucial for its function as a divinely inspired blueprint. If the earthly copy were imprecise or arbitrary, it could not effectively point to the perfect, heavenly reality. The detailed commands ([Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - The Pattern for the Tabernacle"), [Exodus 25:40](/exodus/25-40 "Exodus 25:40 - The Tabernacle Pattern")) communicated God's holiness, His desire for proper worship, and the exact nature of the spiritual truths it foreshadowed. Every element, from the materials to the layout and the rituals, was designed to teach Israel about God's character, the nature of sin, the need for atonement, and the pathway to His presence, all of which found their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The "shadow" was perfect in its ability to prefigure the "reality."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 8:5 is a pivotal verse for understanding the Christ-centered nature of all Old Testament institutions. The earthly Tabernacle, with its elaborate design and sacrificial system, served as a profound **type** of Christ and His redemptive work. It was a tangible, visible representation of the invisible, heavenly realities that would ultimately be embodied and fulfilled in Jesus. Christ is not merely a priest *like* those who served in the Tabernacle; He is the ultimate High Priest who ministers in the true, heavenly sanctuary, the very reality to which the earthly Tabernacle pointed ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, the High Priest of Good Things to Come")). The blood of bulls and goats, shed in the earthly Tabernacle, was a "shadow" of the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ's own blood, which truly cleanses from sin and grants eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses")). Moreover, just as God "tabernacled" among His people in the wilderness, [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") declares that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," literally "tabernacled" among us, revealing Jesus as the ultimate dwelling place of God with humanity. Thus, the "pattern shewed to thee in the mount" ultimately found its perfect and eternal fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the substance and reality of all the Old Covenant "examples and shadows" ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 25:40

And look that thou make [them] after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Colossians 2:17

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.

Hebrews 10:1

¶ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Exodus 26:30

And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.

1 Chronicles 28:19

All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.

Exodus 27:8

Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make [it].

1 Chronicles 28:12

And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things: