Ephod

Something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Ex. 28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Sam. 22:18), and characteristic of his office (1 Sam. 2:18, 28; 14:3). It was worn by Samuel, and also by David (2 Sam. 6:14). It was made of fine linen, and consisted of two pieces, which hung from the neck, and covered both the back and front, above the tunic and outer garment (Ex. 28:31). That of the high priest was embroidered with divers colours. The two pieces were joined together over the shoulders (hence in Latin called superhumerale) by clasps or buckles of gold or precious stones, and fastened round the waist by a “curious girdle of gold, blue, purple, and fine twined linen” (28:6-12). The breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was attached to the ephod.

(a sacred vestment originally appropriate to the high priest. (Exodus 28:4) (image), father of Hanniel of the tribe of Manesseh. (Numbers 34:23)

E'PHOD (ephod, or image), the father of one who helped in apportioning the land under Joshua and Eleazar. Num 34:23.

EPH'OD, one of the articles of the priest's official dress. Ex 28:6. It was made of plain linen, 1 Sam 2:18; 2 Sam 6:14, except the ephod of the high priest, which was embroidered with various colors. It consisted of two parts, one covering the back and the other the breast, clasped together upon each shoulder with a large onyx stone, upon which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes, six on each stone; and upon the place where it crossed the breast was the breastplate. See Breastplate. It was further fastened by a "curious girdle of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen." The ephod, or something resembling it and called by the same name, was worn by others besides the priests. 1 Chr 15:27 and passages before cited. See High Priest.

EPH'OD, one of the articles of the priest's official dress. Ex 28:6. It was made of plain linen, 1 Sam 2:18; 2 Sam 6:14, except the ephod of the high priest, which was embroidered with various colors. It consisted of two parts, one covering the back and the other the breast, clasped together upon each shoulder with a large onyx stone, upon which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes, six on each stone; and upon the place where it crossed the breast was the breastplate. See Breastplate. It was further fastened by a "curious girdle of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen." The ephod, or something resembling it and called by the same name, was worn by others besides the priests. 1 Chr 15:27 and passages before cited. See High Priest.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A part of the sacerdotal habit among Jews, being a covering for the back and breast, held together on the shoulders by two clasps or brooches of onyx stones set in gold, and fastened by a girdle of the same stuff as the ephod. The ephod for the priests was of plain linen; that for the high priest was richly embroidered in colors. The breastplate of the high priest was worn upon the ephod in front. Exodus xxviii. 6-12.