Did G-d show Moses the sanctuary that is in Heaven? ~ Cross reference of Hebrews 8:5 to Exodus 25:40


Hebrews 8 starts with the author asserting that after Jesus rose from the grave, he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of god. He then says that Jesus is serving as a high priest in the heavenly sanctuary and offering sacrifices to god on behalf of the believers.

He then asserts that this heavenly sanctuary is a copy and far superior to the earthly one which was made with human hands while the heavenly one I guess was made by god himself and the gift and sacrifices being made by Jesus in heaven are far superior due to the new covenant in Jesus.

He then cross references Genesis 25:40 that talks about G-d telling Moses that he should have the menorah built the way he showed him.

What bothers me is that, Exodus 25 does not talk about the specifications of the sanctuary being shown to Moses but only the menorah design being shown. Also the assertion that there is a heaven in a physical state and that there is a sanctuary is not mentioned in the Torah. So how can one add details that do not exist.

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All Greek Text references are from NIV and Tanakh references are from Chabad.

This post is not intended to offend anyone's faith but for those people who are Seeking the truth of THE ONE TRUE G-D of the universe to who we owe all our love, gratitude & devotion.

My encouragement to you is that you read the whole chapter of Tanakh that the Greek text quotes so you get the context and understand what G-d actually said.

G-d Bless and Seek THE Truth.

Hebrews 8:5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

[Chabad] Exodus 25:37 And you shall make its lamps seven, and he shall kindle its lamps [so that they] shed light toward its face. 38 And its tongs and its scoops [shall be] of pure gold. 39 He shall make it of a talent of pure gold, with all these implements. 40 Now see and make according to their pattern, which you are shown on the mountain.

[NIV] Exodus 25:37 “Then make its seven lamps and set them up on it so that they light the space in front of it. 38 Its wick trimmers and trays are to be of pure gold. 39 A talent[f] of pure gold is to be used for the lampstand and all these accessories. 40 See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
  • Hebrews quotes Exodus 25:40 to say that G-d instructed Moses to build the sanctuary in accordance to what he was shown on the mountain. This does not mean that Moses got to see something that is in heaven. This is just an assertion to claim that there is a sanctuary in heaven and that Jesus is serving as a priest in it.
  • According to Christian trinity, why will a god serve in the temple of another god and offer sacrifices to worship the other god?
  • If you read Exodus 25 verses 1 to 29 G-d is telling Moses the details of the sanctuary, the partitions, the roof, the items in the sanctuary et all.
  • From verse 31 to 40 G-d explains how the menorah should be built and then in verse 40 he says that I have shown you how the menorah looks and you should build it exactly like it. Verse 40 is talking about the pattern of the menorah.
  • There is no mention of G-d showing Moses, the sanctuary, tables, spoons, arc of covenant etc., rather G-d gives Moses the details for these. only for the menorah, G-d says, I showed you and you need to build it just like that.
  • Hebrews twisting the passage to say that god showed Moses the sanctuary is an assertion to give Jesus a temple in heaven since he is now a priest. 
    • Exodus 25:31 And you shall make a menorah of pure gold. The menorah shall be made of hammered work; its base and its stem, its goblets, its knobs, and its flowers shall [all] be [one piece] with it. 32 And six branches coming out of its sides: three menorah branches from its one side and three menorah branches from its second side. 33 Three decorated goblets on one branch, a knob and a flower, and three decorated goblets on one branch, a knob and a flower; so for the six branches that come out of the menorah. 34 And on [the stem of] the menorah [shall be] four decorated goblets, its knobs and its flowers. 35 And a knob under the two branches from it, and a knob under the two branches from it, and a knob under the two branches from it; so for the six branches that come out of the menorah. 36 Their knobs and their branches shall [all] be [one piece] with it; all of it [shall be] one hammered mass of pure gold. 37 And you shall make its lamps seven, and he shall kindle its lamps [so that they] shed light toward its face. 38 And its tongs and its scoops [shall be] of pure gold. 39 He shall make it of a talent of pure gold, with all these implements. 40 Now see and make according to their pattern, which you are shown on the mountain.
  • All that said there is a passage in Exodus 25:9 that says that G-d showed Moses the patter of the Mishkan [sanctuary] and the vessels but this is far from the assertion that this was some kind of a temple in heaven.
    • Exodus 25:9 according to all that I show you, the pattern of the Mishkan and the pattern of all its vessels; and so shall you do.

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