English Standard Version
Hebrews 8:5
5They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain."
Hebrews 8:5 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)They serve at a sanctuary that 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.”
- New King James Version (NKJV)who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”
Context of Hebrews 8:5
3For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, "See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain." 6But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
Read all of Hebrews 8Hebrews 8:5 word by word
οἵτινες ὑποδείγματι καὶ σκιᾷ λατρεύουσιν τῶν ἐπουρανίων, καθὼς κεχρημάτισται Μωϋσῆς μέλλων ἐπιτελεῖν τὴν σκηνήν· ὅρα γάρ φησιν ποιήσεις πάντα κατὰ τὸν τύπον τὸν δειχθέντα σοι ἐν τῷ ὄρει·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Whoὅστιςhostis hētis ho6ti · who/whichG3748
- serveλατρεύωlatreuō · to ministerG3000
- unto the exampleὑπόδειγμαhupodeigma · exampleG5262
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- shadowσκιάskia · shadowG4639
- of heavenly thingsἐπουράνιοςepouranios · heavenlyG2032
- asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
- MosesΜωϋσῆς, ΜωσῆςMōseus Mōsēs Mōusēs · MosesG3475
- was admonished of Godχρηματίζωchrēmatizō · to announceG5537
- when he was aboutμέλλωmellō · to ensueG3195
- to makeἐπιτελέωepiteleō · to completeG2005
- the tabernacleὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the tabernacleσκηνήskēnē · tentG4633
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- Seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- saith heφημίphēmi · to assertG5346
- thou makeποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
- all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
- according toκατάkata · according toG2596
- the patternτύποςtupos · mark/exampleG5179
- shewedδεικνύωdeiknuō · to showG1166
- to theeσύsu · youG4771
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- the mountὄροςoros · mountainG3735
Cross-references for Hebrews 8:5
- Hebrews 9:9(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
- Hebrews 10:1For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
- Colossians 2:17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
- Exodus 25:40And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.
- Exodus 26:30Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.
- Exodus 27:8You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.
- Numbers 8:4And this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was hammered work; according to the pattern that the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.
- 1 Chronicles 28:12and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of the Lord, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts;
- Acts 7:44"Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen.
Commentaries on Hebrews 8:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Who serve - ̔ · Who perform Divine worship. Unto the example and shadow - ͅ, With the representation and shadow; this is Dr. Macknight's translation, and probably the true one. The whole Levitical service was a representation and shadow of heavenly things; it appears, therefore, absurd to say that the priests served Unto an example or representation of heavenly things; they served rather unto the substance of those things, With appropriate representations…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Who serve unto the example - Who perform their service by the mere example and shadow of the heavenly things; or in a tabernacle, and in a mode, that is the mere emblem of the reality which exists in heaven. The reference is to the tabernacle, which was a mere “example” or “copy” of heaven. The word rendered here “example” - ̔́ hupodeigma- means a “copy, likeness, or imitation.” The tabernacle was made after a pattern which was shown to Moses; it was made…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5a copy and shadow: The earthly place of worship was a copy of the real one in heaven. This is why God told Moses to follow the pattern (see Exodus 25:40; 26:30; compare Acts 7:44). Both Judaism and early Christianity talked about a heavenly temple in a heavenly Jerusalem, which would come to earth at the end of time (see Revelation 21:2). Hebrews suggests that God showed Moses this heavenly place so he could build the earthly tabernacle. However, Jesus…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. Who--namely, the priests. serve unto the example--not "after the example," as Bengel explains. But as in He 13:10, "serve the tabernacle," that is, do it service: so "serve (the tabernacle which is but) the outline and shadow." The Greek for "example" is here taken for the sketch, copy, or suggestive representation of the heavenly sanctuary, which is the antitypical reality and primary archetype. "The mount" answers to heaven, He 12:22. admonished--The…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 8:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Hebrews 8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries