1Now the main point of what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, who has sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, [8:2] a minister of the holy places and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord erected, and not man. [8:3] For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; therefore it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. [8:4] Now if he were on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; [8:5] who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle: "See," God said, "that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain."
HEB 8:1-5
Christʼs Eternal Priesthood
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, the Jerusalem Temple was the central institution of Jewish worship, and the Levitical priesthood was its authorized mediator. The high priest’s role was to offer sacrifices and gifts on behalf of the people, maintaining ritual purity and mediating divine favor. The Temple’s architecture, particularly the Holy of Holies, symbolized God’s presence and the separation between the divine and the human. Against this backdrop, the claim that Jesus is a high priest who ministers in the ‘true tabernacle’ would have been striking. The term (‘true’ or ‘genuine’) contrasts Jesus’ priesthood with the earthly Temple system, which the author describes as a ‘copy and shadow’ of the heavenly reality. This framing challenges the sufficiency of the Levitical system by presenting Jesus’ priesthood as eternal and superior, rooted in the heavenly realm rather than the earthly Temple.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
HEB 8:1
- KJV
- Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
- BSB
- The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
- Koinōnos
- Now the main point of what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, who has sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
HEB 8:2
- KJV
- A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
- BSB
- and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.
- Koinōnos
- a minister of the holy places and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord erected, and not man.
HEB 8:3
- KJV
- For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
- BSB
- And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer.
- Koinōnos
- For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; therefore it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.
HEB 8:4
- KJV
- For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
- BSB
- Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law.
- Koinōnos
- Now if he were on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;
HEB 8:5
- KJV
- Who 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.
- BSB
- The place where they serve 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.”
- Koinōnos
- who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle: "See," God said, "that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 8:1
- [The] sum:The word translated 'sum' here can also mean the 'main point' or 'chief thing,' indicating the most important aspect of what has been discussed.
HEB 8:2
- Holy [Places]:The term 'Holy Places' refers to the sacred areas within the temple or tabernacle, set apart for divine presence and worship.
- a minister:The word translated 'minister' originally referred to someone who performed a public service or duty, often at their own expense, for the benefit of the community.
- true,:The word translated 'true' here implies something that is genuine, real, and corresponds to the ultimate reality, as opposed to a mere copy or shadow.