Hebrews 8:5 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The earthly priests serve a copy and shadow of heavenly realities, just as Moses was told to build the tabernacle exactly after the pattern shown him on the mountain.
What Does Hebrews 8:5 Mean?
To prove that the earthly sanctuary points beyond itself, the writer recalls God's charge to Moses at Sinai. Moses was not to invent the tabernacle but to make it according to a pattern he was shown on the mount. The visible tent was a copy of something real and prior.
This reframes all the worship of Israel as a God-given picture of greater things. Every board and vessel whispered of a heavenly reality. The believer learns to read the older Scriptures with hope, seeing in their shadows the outline of Christ. What God showed Moses in part has now come into full light in the Son.
Hebrews 8:5 in the Original Language
hupodeigma (ὑπόδειγμα), 'example' -- a copy or sketch that represents a greater original.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hebrews 8:5
What does Hebrews 8:5 mean?
The earthly priests serve a copy and shadow of heavenly realities, just as Moses was told to build the tabernacle exactly after the pattern shown him on the mountain.