Hebrews 8:5 Study Bible: who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain."

◄ Hebrews 8:5 ►

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."

Study Bible

The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.

The earthly tabernacle, and later the temple, reflected the greater reality of God’s heavenly dwelling. Its holy places, priestly service, sacrifices, and furnishings were appointed by God to portray His holiness and the need for mediation between God and sinful people. Though sacred, the earthly sanctuary was temporary and incomplete, pointing beyond itself to the perfect heavenly sanctuary.

Heb 9:23-24 So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things…
Heb 10:1 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come,…
Col 2:17 These are a shadow of the things to come,…

This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle:

Before Israel began construction, God gave Moses detailed instructions on Mount Sinai. The work could not be shaped by human preference or imagination because the tabernacle was to serve as the place of God’s appointed presence among His people. Moses was responsible to carry out every command faithfully.

Act 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony…
Exo 25:8-9 And they are to make a sanctuary for Me,…
Exo 40:16 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.

“See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

The design came from God, who showed Moses the pattern he was to follow. Every part of the tabernacle was therefore built according to divine instruction, revealing that access to God and worship of Him must be ordered by His will. The earthly structure anticipated the complete and lasting access to God accomplished through Christ.

Exo 25:40 See to it that you make everything according to the pattern…
Exo 26:30 So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern…
Exo 27:8 Construct the altar with boards so that it is hollow.…

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
A central figure in the Old Testament, Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law on Mount Sinai. He was instructed to build the tabernacle according to the divine pattern shown to him.

2. The Tabernacle
A portable earthly sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert. It served as a place of worship and sacrifice, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

3. Heavenly Sanctuary
The true, eternal dwelling place of God, of which the earthly tabernacle is a mere shadow and copy. It represents the ultimate reality of God's presence and the perfect worship that takes place in heaven.

4. Mount Sinai
The mountain where Moses received the Law and the instructions for the tabernacle. It is a place of divine revelation and covenant between God and Israel.

5. The Priests
Those who served in the earthly tabernacle, performing rituals and sacrifices as a foreshadowing of the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.

Teaching Points

Understanding Shadows and Reality
The earthly tabernacle and its services were designed to point to a greater heavenly reality. As believers, we should focus on the eternal truths and realities that these shadows represent.

The Importance of Obedience
Just as Moses was instructed to follow God's pattern precisely, we are called to obey God's Word and His instructions for our lives, trusting in His perfect design.

Christ as Our High Priest
Jesus serves as our ultimate High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, offering a perfect and eternal sacrifice. We can approach God with confidence through Him.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Things
Earthly structures and rituals are temporary and serve a purpose for a time. Our focus should be on the eternal and unchanging nature of God's kingdom.

Living in Light of Heavenly Realities
As Christians, we are called to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing our relationship with God and the things of heaven over temporary earthly concerns.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding the tabernacle as a "copy and shadow" of heavenly things change your perspective on Old Testament worship practices?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship today aligns with the heavenly pattern revealed in Scripture?

3. How does recognizing Jesus as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary impact your daily walk with God?

4. What are some "earthly shadows" in your life that might be distracting you from focusing on eternal realities?

5. How can the example of Moses' obedience to God's pattern inspire you to follow God's instructions in your own life?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 25-31
These chapters provide the detailed instructions given to Moses for building the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of following God's precise pattern.

Colossians 2:17
This verse speaks of the Old Testament laws and rituals as shadows of things to come, with the substance belonging to Christ, highlighting the temporary and preparatory nature of the Old Covenant.

Revelation 21:3
This passage describes the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence with His people, where the heavenly reality is fully realized, and God dwells with humanity.

Sermons

Character-Building According to Pattern	C. H. Payne, D. D.	Hebrews 8:5
Heavenly Visions	G. Littlemore.	Hebrews 8:5
Of the Right Manner of Doing Duty	W. Gouge.	Hebrews 8:5
Our Hours of Vision	A. O. Johnston, M. A.	Hebrews 8:5
Plan and Pattern and Purpose	C. H. Parkhurst, D. D.	Hebrews 8:5
The Pattern in the Mount	Bp. Phillips Brooks.	Hebrews 8:5
The Pattern in the Mount	E. H. Chapin, D. D.	Hebrews 8:5
Heaven the Place Where This Great High Priest Ministers	C. New	Hebrews 8:1-5
The Exclusive Glory of Christ in His Enthronement	J.S. Bright	Hebrews 8:1-5

People

Hebrews

Places

Egypt, Jerusalem

Topics

Admonished, Build, Construct, Copy, Design, Divinely, Erect, Example, Heaven, Heavenly, Image, Imitation, Instructed, Mayest, Mount, Mountain, Oracularly, Orders, Pattern, Representation, Sanctuary, Saying, Says, Servants, Serve, Shadow, Shewed, Shewn, Showed, Shown, Special, Tabernacle, Tent, Type, Warned

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Hebrews 8:5

     1436   reality
     4846   shadow
     5102   Moses, life of
     5207   architecture
     7160   servants of the Lord
     7414   priesthood, NT
     7438   sanctuary
     7460   tabernacle, in NT
     7470   temple, significance

Hebrews 8:1-6

2069 Christ, pre-eminence
8345 servanthood, and worship

Hebrews 8:1-13

5381 law, letter and spirit
6698 newness

Hebrews 8:5-6

6606 access to God

Library

Christ Our Mediator. --Continued.
"But now hath he [Christ] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Heb. viii. 6). Having considered Christ's preparatory work, His earthly mission, we wish now to consider His office and work as mediator between God and men. Christ sought no additional honor because of His message to men and suffering on their account. On the contrary, He prayed: "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

The New Covenant.
"Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a High-priest, Who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high-priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this High-priest also have somewhat to offer. Now if He were on earth, He would not be a Priest at all, seeing there are those who offer …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Wesley Refused the Sacrament at Epworth
In the evening I reached Epworth. Sunday, 2. At five I preached on "So is everyone that is born of the Spirit." About eight I preached from my father's tomb on Hebrews 8:11. Many from the neighboring towns asked if it would not be well, as it was sacrament Sunday, for them to receive it. I told them, "By all means: but it would be more respectful first to ask Mr. Romley, the curate's leave." One did so, in the name of the rest; to whom he said, "Pray tell Mr. Wesley, I shall not give him the sacrament; …
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

God in the Covenant
But I have been thinking for the last two or three days, that the covenant of grace excels the other covenant most marvelously in the mighty blessings which it confers. What does the covenant of grace convey? I had thought this morning of preaching a sermon upon "The covenant of grace; what are the blessings it gives to God's children?" But when I began to think of it, there was so much in the covenant, that if I had only read a catalogue of the great and glorious blessings, wrapped up within its …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The New Covenant
"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."--JER. xxxi. 33, 34. ISAIAH has often been called …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

The Person Sanctified.
"The putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh."--Col. ii. 11. Sanctification embraces the whole man, body and soul, with all the parts, members, and functions that belong to each respectively. It embraces his person and, all of his person. This is why sanctification progresses from the hour of regeneration all through life, and can be completed only in and through death. St. Paul prays for the church of Thessalonica: "The God of peace sanctify you wholly, and may your whole spirit and soul …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Christ Our High Priest.
"Now, if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung …
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

Perseverance in Holiness
May the King himself come near and feast his saints to-day! May the Comforter who convinced of sin now come to cheer us with the promise! We noticed concerning the fig tree, that it was confirmed in its barrenness: it had borne no fruit, though it made large professions of doing so, and it was made to abide as it was. Let us consider another form of confirmation: not the curse of continuance in the rooted habit of evil; but the blessing of perseverance in a settled way of grace. May the Lord show …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
John v. 39--"Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." Eph. ii. 20--"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." As in darkness there is need of a lantern without and the light of the eyes within--for neither can we see in darkness without some lamp though we have never so good eyes, nor yet see without eyes, though in never so clear a sunshine--so there is absolute need for the guiding of our feet in the dangerous …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant
"I give thee for a covenant of the people."--ISA. xlii. 6, xlix. 8. "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in."--MAL. iii. 1. "Jesus was made Surety of a better covenant."--HEB. vii. 22. "The Mediator of the Better Covenant, established upon better promises . . . The Mediator of the New Covenant. . . Ye are come to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant."--HEB. viii. 6, ix. 15, xii. 24. WE have here four titles given to our Lord Jesus in …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

How the Wise and the Dull are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 7). Differently to be admonished are the wise of this world and the dull. For the wise are to be admonished that they leave off knowing what they know: the dull also are to be admonished that they seek to know what they know not. In the former this thing first, that they think themselves wise, is to be thrown down; in the latter whatsoever is already known of heavenly wisdom is to be built up; since, being in no wise proud, they have, as it were, prepared their hearts for supporting …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Ascension
"So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen." MARK 16:19-20 (R.V.) WE have reached the close of the great Gospel of the energies of Jesus, His toils, His manner, His searching gaze, His noble indignation, His love of children, the consuming zeal by virtue of which He was not more truly the …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Concerning the Scriptures.
Concerning the Scriptures. From these revelations of the Spirit of God to the saints, have proceeded the Scriptures of Truth, which contain, I. A faithful historical account of the actings of God's people in divers ages; with many singular and remarkable providences attending them. II. A prophetical account of several things, whereof some are already past, and some yet to come. III. A full and ample account of all the chief principles of the doctrine of Christ, held forth in divers precious declarations, …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Strait Gate;
OR, GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN: PLAINLY PROVING, BY THE SCRIPTURES, THAT NOT ONLY THE RUDE AND PROFANE, BUT MANY GREAT PROFESSORS, WILL COME SHORT OF THAT KINGDOM. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."--Matthew 7:13, 14 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. If any uninspired writer has been …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out-Breakings Away.
The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Doctrine
OF THE LAW AND GRACE UNFOLDED; OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE LAW AND GRACE; THE NATURE OF THE ONE, AND THE NATURE OF THE OTHER; SHOWING WHAT THEY ARE, AS THEY ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; AND LIKEWISE, WHO THEY BE, AND WHAT THEIR CONDITIONS ARE, THAT BE UNDER EITHER OF THESE TWO COVENANTS: Wherein, for the better understanding of the reader, there are several questions answered touching the law and grace, very easy to be read, and as easy to be understood, by those that are the sons of wisdom, the children …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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