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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - Hebrews 8:5 - 8:5
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things (οἵτινες ὑποδείγματι καί σκιᾷ λατρεύουσιν τῶν ἐπουρανίων)
The connection is, “there are those who offer the gifts according to the law, such as (οἵτινες) serve,” etc. For λατρεύουσιν serve, see on 2Ti 1:3. Omit unto. Rend. serve the copy and shadow, etc., or, as Rev., that which is a copy and shadow. For ὑπόδειγμα copy, see on 1Pe 5:3; see on 2Pe 2:6. Comp. Heb 9:23. Τῶν ἐπουρανίων “of heavenly things.” Τὰ ἐπουράνια in N.T. usually “heavenly places.” See Eph 1:3; Eph 2:6; Eph 3:10; Eph 6:12 : “heavenly things,” Joh 3:12; Phi 2:10; Heb 9:23.
As Moses was admonished (καθὼς κεχρημάτισται Μωυσῆς)
By God. This, and the remainder of the verse, explain the words copy and shadow. For χρηματίζειν see on Mat 2:12; see on Luk 2:26; see on Act 11:26. Comp. χρηματισμός answer (of God), Rom 11:4. In Exo 40:1, where Moses is commanded to make the tabernacle, God is expressly named.
To make (ἐπιτελεῖν)
The margin of Rev. complete may easily convey a wrong idea. The sense is to carry out or execute the plan given to him.
For, See (ὅρα γάρ)
Γάρ for is not a part of the quotation, but is argumentative. Moses was admonished, for God said “See,” etc.
That thou make (ποιήσεις)
A direct command. “See, thou shalt make.”
Pattern (τύπον)
See on 1Pe 5:3. The meaning is that, in all essential features, the Levitical system of worship was a copy of a heavenly reality. This was pressed into an absurd literalism by the Rabbins, who held that there were in heaven original models of the tabernacle and of all its appurtenances, and that these were shown to Moses in the Mount. The writer draws out of this vulgar conception the thought that the material tabernacle was an emblem of a spiritual, heavenly sanctuary. The Levitical priests, therefore, serve only a copy and shadow.