Ephod

Passages on this topic

From Nave’s Topical Bible (1896), a historical reference index. The groupings are Nave’s; the verses are shown in the text used across this site.

1. A sacred vestment worn by the high priest

Described

• Exodus 28:6–14 They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached at two of its corners, so it can be fastened. And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece, of the same workmanship — wi…
• Exodus 28:31–35 You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, with an opening at its top in the center. Around the opening shall be a woven collar with an opening like that of a garment, so that it will not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all the way around the lower hem…
• Exodus 25:7 and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

The making of

• Exodus 39:2–26 Bezalel made the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn. They hammered out thin sheets of gold and cut threads from them to interweave with the blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen — the work of a skilled craftsman. They made shoulder pie…

Breastplate attached to

• Exodus 28:22–29 For the breastpiece, make braided chains like cords of pure gold. You are also to make two gold rings and fasten them to the two corners of the breastpiece. Then fasten the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece, and fasten the other ends of the two chains to the tw…

Worn by Aaron

• Exodus 39:5 And the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod was of one piece with the ephod, of the same workmanship — with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Used as an oracle

• 1 Samuel 23:9 When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
• 1 Samuel 23:12 So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” “They will,” said the LORD.
• 1 Samuel 30:7–8 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”

An inferior, was worn by the ordinary priests

• 1 Samuel 22:18 So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

Worn by Samuel

• 1 Samuel 2:18 Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD — a boy wearing a linen ephod.

Worn by David

• 2 Samuel 6:14 And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,

It was called COAT

• Exodus 28:40 Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons, to give them glory and splendor.
• Exodus 29:8 Present his sons as well and clothe them with tunics.
• Exodus 39:27 For Aaron and his sons they made tunics of fine linen, the work of a weaver,
• Exodus 40:14 Bring his sons forward and clothe them with tunics.
• Leviticus 8:13 Then Moses presented Aaron’s sons, put tunics on them, wrapped sashes around them, and tied headbands on them, just as the LORD had commanded him.
• Leviticus 10:5 So they came forward and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses had directed.

Made by Gideon, became an idolatrous snare to Israel

• Judges 8:27 From all this Gideon made an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household.
• Judges 17:5 Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household idols, and ordained one of his sons as his priest.
• Judges 18:14 Then the five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish said to their brothers, “Did you know that one of these houses has an ephod, household gods, a graven image, and a molten idol? Now think about what you should do.”

Prophecy concerning the absence of the Ephod from Israel

• Hosea 3:4 For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or idol.

2. A man of Manasseh

• Numbers 34:23 Hanniel son of Ephod, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph;