(g) With a garment like the priest's garment. An ephod ( Hebrew: f; / fd / or / ifd /) was a type of apron, which according to the Hebrew Bible, was worn by the Jewish high priest the kohen gadol, an artifact and an object to be revered in ancient Israelite culture, and was closely connected with oracular practices and priestly ritual. Verse 14 says he was wearing a linen ephod as he danced before the LORD. I hope this post shows you the depth of the word of God and how the Lord Jesus came to fulfill the law. The ephod was of great importance. For all time and eternity, we are the objects of the Fathers supreme affection, the recipients of His unlimited mercies (i.e., unlimited ability to meet all our needs, wants, and desires). David leads the ark procession into Jerusalem wearing a linen ephod (1 Samuel 6). Its threads were 12 plies. The wearing of the ephod, however, is spoken of in 1Samuel 22:18 as characteristic of the priests, and in Judges 8:27; Judges 17:5; Judges 18:14-20, it is connected with idolatrous worship. The first of the fourth row was achrysolite, the next was an onyx, and then a beryl, which was the last of all. (http://www.ciu.edu/content/it-finished-look-greek), Hal has been teaching the Bible for over three decades. From my earlier description, it appears that the ephod was a very beautiful and intricate garment. This led to even more division among the Israelites. The holy garments that the priests wore while performing their duties set them apart from the rest of the Israelites. Urim and Thummim are two stones that were set in the ephod and were used to inquire of the Lord about specific matters. The other items are a breastpiece, robe, woven tunic, turban, and sash (Exodus 28:4). White represents Jesus purity and righteousness which is the legal foundation for our redemption. [1], Besides its use as a garment, an Ephod was also used for oracular purposes, in conjunction with Urim and Thummim;[5] the books of Samuel imply that whenever Saul or David wished to question God via oracular methods, they asked a priest for the ephod. We are sinners in need of a Savior. As God said through His prophet Hosea, The Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods (Hosea 3:4). God desires His ministers to be even-tempered (i.e., cool-headed). Only the special priest could wear the ephod. ESV Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. There are many opinions on what are the correct stones and order for the stones. The High-Priest: His Clothes The Clothing of the High Priest The other meaning of "ephod" is somewhat similardescribed less as a garment but rather more as an item of ceremonial, sacred significance, much like an idol or other special item to be worn but not necessarily an item of clothing. The Hebrew word for "linen" used in describing the ephod worn by young Samuel and the 85 priests is badh, while shesh . Anyone who dared to wear it without being authorized by God Himself would be judged harshly. Genesis 35:16-19). Leviticus 10:1-7) Furthermore, he could not go near any dead person, including his father and mother (Leviticus 21:11). Indeed, no one is exactly certain just what an Ephod was, other than something liturgical. The Stones of the Ephod | AHRC Ephod - Holman Bible Dictionary - StudyLight.org The High Priest is also a King of Israel! Lets take a closer look at why this act of making an ephod became a snare. What Was the Spiritual Purpose of the Ephod in the Bible? It was also a symbol of his office. On many levels, linen and cotton are similar fabricsone made from the fibers of the cotton plant, the other from fibers of the flax plant, which has many of the same qualities as cotton. (Leviticus 21:10. More specifically, it was worn only by the high priestthe head of the Aaronic priesthood. (1 Peter 2:9). This ephod might have been worn or set upon an altar. What does 1 Samuel 2:18 mean? | BibleRef.com I agree that more studies need to be done on the O.T. Hallelujah! God bless you so much. Presently, He desires to honor Jesus Christ through this Internet teaching ministry, thereby glorifying the Heavenly Father in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the people knew they were not only duty-bound but also bound under threat of annihilation by God Himself to follow Gods commands. In Hebrew, Dham means blood and Adham (i.e., Adam) means red-blooded man. (ee' fahd) A priestly garment connected with seeking a word from God and used in a wrong way as an idol. The ephod is an exterior garment, worn over the tunic and robe (vv, 31-35, 39). It was made . As a garment the ephod is referred to in the priestly ordinances as a part of the official dress of the high priest. Praecidan. The breastplate was, in reality, a piece of elaborately finished cloth of the same material as the ephod. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6a). What is an Ephod in the Bible? - Understanding the Bible As stated earlier, there is a part of the ephod called the breastplate of judgment. However, now- through Jesus, we have the breastplate of righteousness. May the Lord Jesus Christ be praised forever and ever! [See on [265]1Ch 15:27.]. Likely this had to do with the sacredness of the priesthoods garments and what these materials and colors represented typologically. Romans 5:1;10:15. 2 Samuel 6:14 Commentaries: And David was dancing before the LORD with The breastplate, called the Urim and Thummim would rest in a cloth receptacle upon the ephod. The other meaning of ephod is somewhat similardescribed less as a garment but rather more as an item of ceremonial, sacred significance, much like an idol or other special item to be worn but not necessarily an item of clothing. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. The twelve stones on the breastplate represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The exact meaning and derivation of the term "ephod" are not clear. We will ultimately be let down when we put our trust in anything other than Jesus Christ. A. I appreciate your kind sentiments. Consequently, the blue robe represents that the finished work of grace completed by Jesus, our Great High Priest, will never end (i.e., not undone or torn). Gideons ephod became a snare because it was an object of worship. When David asked for the Ephod, he was asking for a symbol of Gods presence and favor. (1) A sacred vestment originally designed for the high priest ( Exodus 28:4; 39:2 ), and made "of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen," held together by two shoulder-pieces and a skillfully woven band which served as a girdle for the ephod. Purple is the color of Royalty. He is the only one who can give us true peace and satisfaction. So God, speaking through Moses, gave the people instructions on how they should live. It is finished; the work of mans redemption and salvation is now completed. The Aorist tense is only half of the perfect tense! That day was the highest andmost holy day of the year, the Day of Atonement, a day also called the Day of Judgment. They would be alone, isolated, without helpwithout God or a way to communicate with Him. God graciously communicated through these stones, leading His people. No demand made upon that grace can delete it. Again, what Jesus is is what we are in the sight of God! 1 Peter 2:4,5. Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like itof one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen (Exodus 28:6-8 NIV). The wearer of such linen would not sweat. The settings for the two sardonyx stones (i.e., memorial or remembrance stones) were attached at the ends of these straps, on the shoulders. The Ephod is a beautiful reminder of the history of the Jewish people and their faith. Note It is always mentioned second. The same as the High Priests undergarments previously described. The High Priest had two tunics that he wore on the Day of Atonement. Hallelujah! The stones represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and they were arranged in four rows of three stones each. 1 John 3:2). [2] The conclusion thus is that Ephod, in these cases, referred to a portable idol, which the lots were cast in front of;[1][2] some scholars have suggested that the connection between the idol and the garment is that the idol was originally clothed in a linen garment, and the term Ephod gradually came to describe the idol as a whole.[2]. He was not prepared, not clean and holy enough, to do the work of the Lord. We dont have to fear Gods wrath when we approach Him or think He cannot hear us. Sacr. Furthermore, the Lord clothes us with His own beauty, having imputed to us His sanctification. (Antiqu. Through these holes, threads dyed with Sky-Blue color were run, and the ends of these threads were connected in the back of the priests head. It is usually described and being made of linen but was not a full garment; more like a loincloth but not a complete outer garment. Ephod Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster . (Hebrews 2:17;4:15) He does not simply understand what we feel, He feels what we feel! On each of these stones was engraved the name of one of the tribes of Israel. These garments are made from white flax, hence their designationthe white garments.They must be woven, and each thread used must be six-ply woven from six individual strands of fabric. (1 John 1:5. Ephod - Wikipedia Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly. Hebrews 4:16) (5), The Breastplate was attached to the Ephod by two solid gold chains on each side that were braided and twisted for double strength, meaning we are securely attached to our Great High Priest. What Jesus is, we are in the sight of God. Despite their periods of faithlessness, God remained faithful. Some believe the ephod looked like an apron that covered the body from shoulder to hip, others that it was like a chestless jacket for the breastpiece to fit into. Red Blood (1), the requirement for redemption that leads to righteousness. (3) The ephod covered the back of his body. After the Day of Atonements conclusion, he will never again wear the white garments he officiated on this day. The Sky-Blue (the color of the sky at noon)robe or tekhelet (Hebrew) was a closed garment, seamlessly woven from one piece of fabric and slipped on over the head. David's Ephod. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hebrews 7:1-17) Therefore, He is the King of Righteousness and Peace and a giver of righteousness that leads to peace with God the Father. When the High Priest put on these garments, he was putting on Christ! Later, the same thing happened. Per my previous explanations, the Ephod was a garment that was only to be worn by the high priest. Shes also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed. We become like Jesus with the difference that we started out all red and He started out all blue (i.e., all God). What did an ephod look like? - Answers The word "ephod" occurs 51 times in 41 verses in the NASB, and refers to the sacred outer garment worn by the high priest, made of gold, blue, purple and scarlet yarn (colors of royalty), to which the breastpiece was attached, and worn over a blue robe. The Gospel of Matthew Jesus of royal lineage. Here is a super detailed video that explains the priestly garments with a very good visual: Exodus 28:30 Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aarons heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. God then gave Moses the Ten Commandments and other laws. Today, the ephod is not worn by the High Priest. Gold (pure) (1) Almighty God who is Holy. What He is, is what we are in the sight of God. Lets find out more about the significance of the ephod. A linen ephod; the usual habit of the priests and Levites in their sacred ministrations, yet sometimes worn by others, as it was by the young child Samuel, 1 Samuel 2:18, before he was come to those years in which the Levites were allowed to minister; and so hereby David, who laid by his royal robes, and put on this robe, to signify and declare, The tribe of Levi was set apart by God to be His holy ministers. That is, his personal emotions cannot overrule his ministry to represent people to God. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. We know the ephod was a tool of ceremonya special, ornate, handcrafted item with great significance. The ephod was also a symbol of the unity of the people. Remember, it was customary in Israel to tear their garments and put sackcloth and ashes on their heads upon the death of a relative (Genesis 37:33,34). Its width is approximately 4 cm (approximately 1.5 inches). It is finished; the ceremonial law is abolished; the substance has now come, and all the shadows are done away. 1 Samuel 2:18. All the best with your assignment, I hope you get a good grade. In Exodus 39, we read how the Israelites were obedient in this and crafted the ephod exactly as God commanded. Ephod | RayKLiu Here, we explore the biblical meaning and spiritual significance of the ephod. Lesser priests, as well as others engaged in sacred ministrations, Samuel (i Sam. The Meaning of Aaron's Holy Garments - Jewish Theological Seminary There must have been a small golden ring attached to each corner of the breastplate to which, in turn, the golden chains and ribbons were connected. However, I know if you are super interested, you will likely move along the post in a systematic fashion. The underpriest's ephod was probably like the high priest's in shape but was made of plain white cloth, not embroidered, and the linen of which it was made may not have been of the quality of the high priest's ephod. The Lord would then answer the question through the stone. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people,a royal priesthood,a holy nation,Gods special possession,that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. What was the significance of the ephod? | GotQuestions.org In this manner, the crown, itself a thin plate, was kept tied and in place on the High Priests forehead. In the Books of Samuel and Books of Chronicles, David is described as wearing an ephod when dancing in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:14, 1 Chronicles 15:27) and one is described as standing in the sanctuary at Nob, with a sword behind it (1 Samuel 21:9). When Jesus cried out FINISHED from the cross, He only said one word in Aramaic:KLH: Finished or fulfilled! This led to idolatry and spiritual adultery. That is, right standing or rather the right to stand before our Holy God. [2] The biblical description also adds that there were two engraved gems over the shoulder straps (like epaulettes), made from shoham (thought by scholars to mean malachite,[2][3] by Jewish tradition to mean heliodor,[2] and in the King James Version translated as "onyx", and with the names of the 12 tribes written upon them; the classical rabbinical sources differ as to the order in which the tribes were named on the jewels (Sotah 36a). All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. His thoughts are for us. The book of 1 Chronicles states that David was "clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the . This diadem, crown, or headband was constructed with one piece of pure gold engraved with the simple message, Holy to the Lord. Unlike the crown worn by royalty on top of the head, this is worn across the forehead and extends from ear to ear. Ephodits a word you dont typically see today, and yet it carries great weight in the Bible when it comes to ceremony and honor. This sparked an interest in re-reading the story of David and his conquests. Besides the fact that the language of doing something "before the LORD" is inherently priestly language, this clothing is what especially draws our attention. (John 14:27) We are to rest in Jesus completed work seated with Him (i.e., resting) in the Heavenly realms. Mandrakes in the Bible | Thought-Provoking! It was slightly wider than a mans back since it was to cover his back and extend a little towards the front on both sides as well, covering a portion of his belly from either side. . There was onlyone time of the yearthat the High Priest wore the white garments. and David was girded with a linen ephod; which others, besides priests, sometimes wore, as Samuel did, and which David might choose to appear in, rather than in his royal robes, as being more agreeable to the service of God, and lighter for him both to walk and dance in on this occasion. Because of His sacrifice, we can have eternal life. Those who spoke to God would use holy items, such as the ephod, to help them communicate with the Lord. In Jesus statement, It is finished, we have a declaration of salvation that is both in a particular moment in time and eternity. These were then rolled and hammered some more until each piece was the tiniest, finest pure gold thread. Ephod | Encyclopedia.com The Stones of the Ephod. Over a robe of checker work the High Priest wore a garment called an 'ephod'. June 13, 2014 by Peter Leithart.
what is a linen ephod look like
Share