[a]For every high Priest is ordained to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it was of necessity, that this man should have somewhat also to offer.

[b]For he were not a Priest, if he were on the earth, seeing there are Priests that according to the Law offer gifts,

Who serve unto the pattern and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was warned by God when he was about to finish the Tabernacle. (A)See, said he, that thou make all things according to the pattern, showed to thee in the mount.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 8:3 He bringeth a reason why it must needs be that Christ should have a body (which he calleth a tabernacle which the Lord pight and not man) to wit, that he might have what to offer: for otherwise he could not be an high Priest. And the selfsame body is both the tabernacle and the sacrifice.
  2. Hebrews 8:4 He giveth a reason why he said that our high Priest is in the heavenly sanctuary and not in the earthly: because, saith he, if he were now on the earth, he could not minister in the earthly sanctuary, seeing there are yet Levitical Priests, which are appointed for him, that is to say, to be patterns of that perfect example. And to what purpose should the patterns serve when the true and original example is present.

Every high priest(A) is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices,(B) and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.(C) If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.(D) They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy(E) and shadow(F) of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned(G) when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[a](H)

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 8:5 Exodus 25:40