What does Hebrews 8:2 mean?

The early verses of chapter 8 connect the idea of Jesus' superior priesthood to the superiority of the covenant He offers to humankind. Verse 1 indicated that Jesus was seated, implying finished work, that He was at the right hand of God, implying power and authority, and that Jesus was in heaven, implying unmatched praise.

Here, the author of Hebrews first introduces the idea that Jesus' ministry is the actual, eternal plan of God, while what came before was meant to be a symbol. In the book of Exodus, God describes the construction of a temporary building, where Israel was to worship Him (Exodus 25:8–9). This "tent," or tabernacle, was the appointed place for sacrifices (Exodus 30:10). Jesus, as later verses will show, offers His sacrifice in a more perfect place: heaven, an eternal place constructed by God, instead of a temporary place built by men (Hebrews 9:24).

As this passage continues, these ideas will be used to support the claim the Jesus' covenant is better than what is offered under the old covenant. And, that this new covenant has always been God's ultimate plan for the redemption of mankind.