“a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man” (Hebrews 8:2).
The word “minister” is often applied to those who hold positions of spiritual authority. Therefore, it may be surprising to learn that the term “minister” is derived from a word that means “to serve” in the original language of this passage. With this in mind, we can define a minister as one who renders service. The term “ministry” subsequently denotes the minister’s area of service.
Hebrews 8:2 then follows with another descriptive word: sanctuary. In the context of this passage, the “sanctuary” refers to a place that is dedicated or set apart for God. For instance, Hebrews 8:1-2 references a heavenly sanctuary where Christ ministers (or serves) on our behalf. Those who are familiar with the Old Testament account of Israel’s exodus from Egypt may recognize the corresponding copy of this sanctuary that was erected during the Mosaic era. Each of these sanctuaries will be explored more thoroughly in the following chapter.
That brings us to this reference to the tabernacle, a word that is closely related to the idea of a sanctuary. The word “tabernacle” might refer to any tent, booth, or temporary dwelling. (1) However, we generally associate the Biblical tabernacle with “…that well known movable temple of God after the pattern of which the temple at Jerusalem was built.” (2)
While many are undoubtedly aware that Moses received the Ten Commandments when he ascended Mount Sinai, we should note that God also provided him with detailed construction plans for building this earthly tabernacle during that time as well. Those plans are described in the Old Testament book of Exodus (see Exodus 25-27) and will serve as a subject of further discussion in Hebrews 8:5.
This tabernacle featured two sectional areas. The first was the known as the Holy Place. The second was the Holy of Holies, or Most Holy Place. It was there within the Most Holy Place that God manifested His presence during the Old Testament era.
However, the author of Hebrews is quick to differentiate between the human-constructed tabernacle of the Old Testament period and “the true tabernacle which the Lord erected” in this passage. Jesus serves within this true tabernacle, of which the earthly tabernacle was only a copy. Therefore, it is fitting that our author melds these images of a minister, the sanctuary, and the tabernacle in describing a place set apart for God where Jesus ministers on our behalf today.
(1) G4633 skene Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/skene
(2) G4633 skene Thayer’s Greek Definitions https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4633/kjv/tr/0-1/