Hebrews 8:5
What does Hebrews 8:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 8:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 8:5 means
Levitical priests serve in what is only a copy and shadow of heavenly realities. Even in Moses’ time, God warned that the tabernacle must be built exactly according to the pattern shown on the mountain. That warning proves the earthly structure was modeled after something greater—the true, heavenly archetype. Shadows have value; they point to the form that casts them. But they are not the form itself. By highlighting the pattern principle, the author shows that the old worship anticipated a fuller reality. Christ ministers not to the shadow but to the reality itself, bringing substance where the earlier system could only signify.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who servethat which isa copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warnedof Godwhen he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who servethat which isa copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warnedof Godwhen he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Being servants of that which is a copy and an image of the things in heaven, as Moses, when he was about to make the Tent, had special orders from God: for, See, he said, that you make everything like the design which you saw in the mountain.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who unto an example and shadow do serve of the heavenly things, as Moses hath been divinely warned, being about to construct the tabernacle, for `See (saith He) thou mayest make all things according to the pattern that was shewn to thee in the mount;') --
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. As it was answered to Moses, when he was to finish the tabernacle: See (saith he) that thou make all things according to the pattern which was shewn thee on the mount.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890(who serve the representation and shadow of heavenly things, according as Moses was oracularly told [when] about to make the tabernacle; for See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern which has been shewn to thee in the mountain.)
Context
After stating that Jesus would not be an earthly priest, the writer clarifies why: the earthly service concerned copies and shadows. Quoting God’s charge to Moses underscores that even the old system acknowledged its derivative nature. This contrast clears the ground for verse 6, which brings the main positive claim: Christ’s ministry is more excellent, tied to a better covenant and better promises. The reader needs this frame to see that moving from shadow to substance is not betrayal but fulfillment, and that the change of covenant is warranted by God’s own design.
v.4Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law;
v.5This passage
v.6But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 27:8
Hollow with planks shalt thou make it: as it hath been showed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
- Hebrews 9:23
It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
- Acts 7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen.
- Hebrews 9:9
which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect,
- Numbers 8:4
And this was the work of the candlestick, beaten work of gold; unto the base thereof, and unto the flowers thereof, it was beaten work: according unto the pattern which Jehovah had showed Moses, so he made the candlestick.
- Colossians 2:17
which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.
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