Les Feldick Bible Study

Was the tabernacle pattern God gave Moses based on something in heaven?

Yes. The tabernacle plan and floor plan given to Moses was a copy of one not on this earth but in heaven. God instructed them to make the sanctuary according to the pattern He showed Moses—the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its instruments.

Les explains that as God begins giving instructions for the tabernacle, an amazing detail comes up: the tabernacle plan, the floor plan, God gave to Moses was a copy of one not on this earth, but in heaven. He points to the wording, “According to all that I show you, after the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall you make it.” Les stresses that “pattern” is the crucial word, showing God was not just dreaming this up from nothing.

Exodus 25:9

According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

More Questions

What is the key word in God's instruction about building the tabernacle?

The crucial word in God's instruction to Moses is 'pattern' — the tabernacle and all its instruments had to be made after the pattern shown to Moses, meaning God was not just dreaming the design up from nothing.