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.

HEBREWS 8:5KJV
Know the Bible

Hebrews 8:5 (KJV)

What does Hebrews 8:5 mean?

Hebrews 8:5 explains that the priests in the old covenant served in a sanctuary that was only a copy and shadow of heavenly realities, just as Moses was warned by God to make the tabernacle exactly according to the pattern shown to him on the mountain. The verse highlights that the earthly tabernacle was not the ultimate reality but a model based on something greater in heaven.

The writer of Hebrews is addressing Jewish Christians, reminding them that the rituals and places of worship from Moses’ time were meant to point to something beyond themselves. By quoting God’s instruction to Moses about following the exact pattern (from Exodus), the verse emphasizes the importance of the heavenly original and prepares the reader to understand Jesus’ priesthood as superior and rooted in a higher reality.

The Greek behind Hebrews 8:5

  • ὑπόδειγμα (hypodeigma, "example" or "copy"): This word suggests that the earthly sanctuary was a model or representation, not the real thing itself.
  • σκιὰ (skia, "shadow"): The Greek here carries the sense of something insubstantial compared to the true object, reinforcing that the old tabernacle was only a faint outline of what is real in heaven.
  • τύπος (typos, "pattern"): This word refers to a mold or blueprint, showing that Moses was to follow a specific, divinely given design, not invent his own.
  • λατρεύω (latreuō, "serve"): This word is often used for religious service, indicating that the priests' work was real but limited to the earthly copy, not the heavenly reality.

Why Hebrews 8:5 matters

  • Hebrews 8:5 clarifies that the old covenant practices were never meant to be the final way to approach God, but were always pointing forward to something greater.
  • The verse helps prevent confusion about the value of the tabernacle and priesthood by showing their temporary and symbolic nature.
  • By connecting Moses’ careful obedience to a heavenly pattern, the verse underlines the seriousness of God’s instructions and the deeper meaning behind biblical rituals.

Where else these words appear

“example” Greek G5262 · used in 6 verses

  • John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
  • Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
  • James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

“shadow” Greek G4639 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
  • Colossians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

“God” Greek G5537 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
  • Romans 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

“make” Greek G2005 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
  • Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: