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. (Hebrews 8:5)
Gr. hupodeigma, “copy,”“imitation,”“sketch,”“tracing,”“representation.” However, it is necessary to remember that an earthly “copy” can never, in all details, fully represent a heavenly original. For example, all of the various sacrifices for sin that were offered endlessly in the earthly sanctuary met their fulfillment in the one sacrifice of Christ.
Shadow.
Or, “foreshadowing.” It is possible to understand the phrase “example and shadow” as a figure of speech meaning “a shadowy example.”
Admonished.
Gr. chrēmatizō, “to impart a revelation,” the agent being God.