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.
Original Language Analysis
ὑποδείγματι
unto the example
G5262
ὑποδείγματι
unto the example
Strong's:
G5262
Word #:
2 of 28
an exhibit for imitation or warning (figuratively, specimen, adumbration)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σκιᾷ
shadow
G4639
σκιᾷ
shadow
Strong's:
G4639
Word #:
4 of 28
"shade" or a shadow (literally or figuratively (darkness of error or an adumbration))
λατρεύουσιν
serve
G3000
λατρεύουσιν
serve
Strong's:
G3000
Word #:
5 of 28
to minister (to god), i.e., render religious homage
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεχρημάτισται
was admonished of God
G5537
κεχρημάτισται
was admonished of God
Strong's:
G5537
Word #:
9 of 28
to utter an oracle (compare the original sense of g5530), i.e., divinely intimate; by implication, (compare the secular sense of g5532) to constitute
Μωσῆς
Moses
G3475
Μωσῆς
Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
10 of 28
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
μέλλων
when he was about
G3195
μέλλων
when he was about
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
11 of 28
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ἐπιτελεῖν
to make
G2005
ἐπιτελεῖν
to make
Strong's:
G2005
Word #:
12 of 28
to fulfill further (or completely), i.e., execute; by implication, to terminate, undergo
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκηνήν
the tabernacle
G4633
σκηνήν
the tabernacle
Strong's:
G4633
Word #:
14 of 28
a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively)
Ὅρα
See
G3708
Ὅρα
See
Strong's:
G3708
Word #:
15 of 28
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
γάρ
for
G1063
γάρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
16 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
φησίν
saith he
G5346
φησίν
saith he
Strong's:
G5346
Word #:
17 of 28
to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say
ποιήσῃς
that thou make
G4160
ποιήσῃς
that thou make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
18 of 28
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
κατὰ
according to
G2596
κατὰ
according to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
20 of 28
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τύπον
the pattern
G5179
τύπον
the pattern
Strong's:
G5179
Word #:
22 of 28
a die (as struck), i.e., (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy, a shape, i.e., a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specially, a samp
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Colossians 2:17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.Exodus 25:40And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.Hebrews 10:1For 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 26:30And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.Exodus 27:8Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.1 Chronicles 28:19All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.1 Chronicles 28:12And 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:Hebrews 9:9Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;Numbers 8:4And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Historical Context
Exodus 25-40 meticulously describes the tabernacle's construction according to God's revealed pattern. This pattern originated in the heavenly reality, making the earthly structure a God-ordained type of superior spiritual truths.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the earthly tabernacle as a 'shadow' of heavenly realities change your reading of Exodus?
- What do the shadows teach us about the substance (Christ) they foreshadow?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Earthly priests serve 'a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.' The Greek 'hypodeigmati kai skia' emphasizes the earthly sanctuary's derivative, inferior nature. It's not the reality but a teaching model. Moses was warned to make everything 'according to the pattern' shown on the mountain (Exodus 25:40). Reformed typology sees the tabernacle/temple as divinely designed pointers to Christ's perfect priestly ministry in heaven's true sanctuary.