The Gnostic Diagram with Ten Circles and the Pattern by Which Moses Constructed the Earthly Tabernacle

I very much like parts of Andrew Itter's book the Esoteric Teachings of the Stromateis of Clement of Alexandria. His citation of Mishnah Kelim 1.6 - 9 is exactly the kind of mystical system that Clement inherited - i.e. the idea that there were ten concentric circles of purity surrounding the Holy of Holies. Mishnah Kelim notes that there are ten degrees of holiness:

1. The Land of Israel is holier than any other land...
2. the walled cities (of the land of Israel) are still more holy...
3. Within the walls (of Jerusalem) is still more holy...
4. The Temple Mount is still more holy...
5. The Rampart is still more holy...
6. The Court of the Women is still more holy...
7. The Court of the Israelites is still more holy...
8. The Court of the Priests is still more holy. ..
9. Between the Porch and the Altar is still more holy...
10. The sanctuary is still more holy...The Holy of Holies is still more holy…(m. Kelim 1.6-9).

The basic idea is at the core of the gnostic diagram known to Celsus, the Marcosians, Clement, Origen and the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews who notes "They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: 'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.' [Heb 8:5] Let him who has ears hear ...