Hebrews 8:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

NIV: and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

NASB: a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord set up, not man.

CSB: a minister of the sanctuary and the true tabernacle that was set up by the Lord and not man.

NLT: There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

KJV: A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

NKJV: a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

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.

Hebrews 8:1–6 foreshadows the idea that earthly things, such as the tabernacle, are meant to be symbols of heavenly things. In particular, Christ's role as priest is superior to the Old Testament system because it occurs in the ''true tent'' which God has arranged, rather than the earthly tent made by man. God's words to Moses prove this symbolic nature of the tabernacle. This also leads into a new reference from Jewish Scripture, proving that this was God's intention all along.

Hebrews chapter 8 indicates that the temples, rituals, and objects of the old covenant were always meant to be symbolic. They were real, and valuable, but their ultimate worth was in their symbolism. Those were always intended by God to point towards a better covenant. Rather than something repetitive, earthly, and limited, God planned to offer something completed, personal, and eternal through Jesus Christ. As further proof of this, the writer of Hebrews offers yet another quotation from the Jewish Scriptures, this time from the prophet Jeremiah.

Hebrews chapter 8 builds on the points made in chapter 7. Jesus' service as High Priest is superior, since He is given a better position and serves in a better location than the priests of the Old Covenant. This chapter sets up the idea of earthly things being shadows of heavenly things, especially when it comes to the temple and sacrifices. This leads into the focus of chapter 9, which is the superiority of Christ's sacrifice compared to those of the Levitical system.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.