Exodus 25:9, 40: The “Miniature Model” of the Heavenly Sanctuary

I spent nearly two years of my life writing my doctoral dissertation on the subject of typology. As a major part of my research I examined the various Hebrew and Greek words in the Old and New Testaments that are translated “type” or “pattern.” In the Old Testament I concentrated on Exodus 25:9, 40, where Moses was told to make everything like the “pattern” (Heb. tabnit) that he was shown on the mountain. I did a detailed word study of the Hebrew term tabnit (which by the way, the LXX translates in Exodus 25:40 as typos or “type”), and examined how it was used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. After about six months of intensive research on the meaning of this Hebrew term, I concluded that the word tabnit in the Old Testament use of Exodus 25:9, 40 implies a “miniature model” of an original—so that what Moses saw on the mountain was a miniature model of the original sanctuary that he had seen in heaven. I documented this research in my (now-published) doctoral dissertation. ^{37See Richard M. Davidson, Typology in Scripture: A Study of Hermeneutical Typos Structures (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Andrews University Press, 1981), 367-388.}GOP 165.2

Shortly thereafter I was urged by one of my professors who had served on my dissertation committee to present the results of this research to a scholarly meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. With fear and trepidation I presented my findings to a roomful of critical scholars, most of whom did not even believe in the reality of the heavenly sanctuary or the veracity of Scripture. After the presentation came the time for questions, and almost everyone in the room raised his/her hand! I looked for the trapdoor to open under my feet and release me from the imminent onslaught of criticism. But there was no escape. I prayed and began acknowledging the raised hands. To my shock and amazement (and likewise to the shock of the critical scholar moderating the meeting), everyone who made a comment not only agreed with my research but presented further evidence that he/she had discovered in favor of my conclusion!GOP 165.3

Shortly after returning from the Society of Biblical Literature presentation, during my devotional reading in one of Ellen White’s early books, Spiritual Gifts, I fortuitously encountered this electrifying statement: “God presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary, and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern shown him in the mount.” ^{38White, Spiritual Gifts, 4a:5. (Italics supplied.)} I wondered, how did Ellen White arrive at this insight into the meaning of the word tabnit as a “miniature model” of the original without any knowledge of Hebrew and no modern versions or contemporary commentaries providing this translation (at least none that I have been able to discover so far)? This whole experience was a striking confirmation to me of the accuracy of my conclusion regarding the meaning of tabnit, of the veracity of the typological approach toward the sanctuary doctrine, and of the reality of Ellen White’s prophetic gift.GOP 165.4