Hebrews 8:5

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.

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}.

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.”

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.”

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.

Hebrews 8:5 clarifies the nature of the Old Covenant priestly service and the Tabernacle, revealing their purpose as earthly representations of greater, heavenly realities. The verse emphasizes that these elements were not ends in themselves but served as a "shadow" and "example" of the true spiritual sanctuary and ministry that Christ embodies. It directly references God's specific instructions to Moses for constructing the Tabernacle, highlighting the divine precision required because it mirrored heavenly things.

Context

This verse is part of Hebrews' larger argument demonstrating the superiority of Jesus Christ's priesthood and the New Covenant over the Levitical priesthood and the Old Covenant. The author has just declared that Christ serves in a "more excellent ministry" (Hebrews 8:6) in a heavenly sanctuary, not an earthly one. Hebrews 8:5 provides the Old Testament basis for this understanding, citing the construction of the Tabernacle as evidence that even the earthly worship system was designed by God to point beyond itself. It sets the stage for understanding Christ as the ultimate High Priest ministering in the true, heavenly Tabernacle.

Key Themes

  • Shadow and Reality: The central theme is the distinction between the earthly "shadow" (the Tabernacle and Old Covenant rituals) and the heavenly "reality" (Christ's ministry and the New Covenant). Old Testament institutions were divinely ordained copies, designed to foreshadow the spiritual truths found in Christ.
  • Divine Blueprint: The verse underscores God's meticulous design in worship. Just as Moses was given a precise "pattern" for the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:40), all aspects of the Old Covenant were divinely prescribed, not human inventions. This precision reflects the perfect order of God's heavenly domain.
  • Superiority of Christ's Ministry: By establishing the earthly Tabernacle as a mere copy, the verse implicitly elevates Christ's ministry, which takes place in the true, heavenly sanctuary. This prepares the reader to understand Christ as the ultimate High Priest who serves in the eternal, perfect dwelling place of God (Hebrews 9:24).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Example" (hupodeigma): This Greek word refers to a copy, an outline, or a pattern for something else. It suggests that the earthly Tabernacle was a model or representation.
  • "Shadow" (skia): This term strongly implies something that is not the substance itself but merely an outline or faint image. As Colossians 2:17 states, the Old Covenant elements were a "shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
  • "Pattern" (typos): Used here to describe what Moses saw on the mount, typos means a mold, a type, or a clear impression. It reinforces the idea that the Tabernacle was built exactly according to a divine, pre-existing design, serving as a physical representation of spiritual truths.

Practical Application

Hebrews 8:5 encourages believers to look beyond outward forms and rituals to the spiritual reality they represent. It reminds us that our worship and understanding of God should be centered on Christ, who is the substance and fulfillment of all Old Testament types and shadows. This verse calls us to:

  • Focus on Christ: Recognize that the earthly symbols and ceremonies of the Old Covenant find their ultimate meaning and completion in Jesus. Our worship should be in "spirit and in truth" (John 4:24), grounded in the reality of Christ's sacrifice and heavenly ministry.
  • Appreciate Divine Design: Understand that God's plan for salvation and worship is meticulously designed, revealing His wisdom and purpose throughout history.
  • Live in the New Covenant Reality: As recipients of the New Covenant, we have direct access to God through Christ, no longer needing the temporary shadows but living in the light of His full revelation.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:

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