Bible Word of the Day
Ephod (Vest or Tunic of the Priest)
Meaning
An ephod was either a vest or tunic, which was worn over the chest and torso. It was made of fine linen and it was part of the clothing which was unique to the attire of a priest. In general, it was only found in settings of the Old Testament and New Testament Temple worship. And primarily with the priest of Israel. When God gave the instructions to Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle and rituals of worship. An ephod was included in the attire of the priest as part of the clothing they were to wear while serving God in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
“And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.” (Book of Exodus 28:2-4)
“Of the blue, purple, and scarlet thread they made garments of ministry, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as the Lord had commanded Moses. He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. And they beat the gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads, to work it in with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread and the fine linen, into artistic designs. They made shoulder straps for it to couple it together; it was coupled together at its two edges. And the intricately woven band of his ephod that was on it was of the same workmanship, woven of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen, as the Lord had commanded Moses. And they set onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold; they were engraved, as signets are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel.” (Book of Exodus 39:1-6)