https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ephod&oldid=1142452419, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 13:06. We cannot do anything without Him. These names were to be a reminder to the nation and The LORD of the history of Israel, and so were called the stones of remembrance. The ephod reminds us that we need to seek His face and ask for His help in everything we do. 28:6-8; 39:2-5). Jesus, the one full of Grace and Truth! Linen isa unique fabric that keeps the wearer cool in hot weather and warm when cold, which were efficient qualities for living in an arid climate with hot days and cold nights. God, the Father, takes the holy and righteous thoughts of Jesus and imputes them to us. 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. In Jesus, we have someone who has even more authority. According to this description, the Ephod was woven out of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads, was made of fine linen, and was embroidered with skillful work in gold thread (Exodus 28:614). So, What Is An Ephod? | Ephods & Pomegranates While cotton fabric is derived from the fibers in the bolls that grow around the plant's seed heads, linen is made from fibers in the stems of the flax plant. It was this very expensive garment that the Roman soldiers gambled for at the foot of His cross. Ephod | Catholic Answers Yarn and Thread Colors Five Colors which is the Biblical Number for Grace. Much effort went into the making of the ephod, and it was crafted from finery. When we are trying to make a decision, we can ask God for guidance, and He will show us what to do. These pomegranates were actually hollow spheres of fabric in the shape of pomegranates. Is it an article of clothing, or a piece of jewelry? Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them (Exodus 19:21-22). The high priest was the one who represented the people before God. Lets take a look: Judges 8:27 Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. 12 Fascinating Facts about the Ephod in the Bible | Ephod Bible Study To most commentators, a belt and shoulder straps suggested an apron-like garment. The high priest wore a skillfully crafted ephod consisting of gold shoulder pieces bearing carved onyx stones showing the names of the 12 tribes, and a woven band of colorful threads. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes about the importance of clothing ourselves with Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27). He told Moses, Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. The ephod symbolized the authority that God had given to the Aaronic priesthood. (John 10:28,29). David Was Wearing a Linen Ephod | Trinity Presbyterian Church North Bay It reminds us of our need to obey Gods laws and of His authority over us. In this manner, the crown, itself a thin plate, was kept tied and in place on the High Priests forehead. The biblical description (Exodus 28:16, 39:9) continues describing the size of the breastplate which is affixed to the front of the ephod as a square measuring one span by one span (the width of an outstretched hand from little finger tip to out stretched thumb tip). God graciously communicated through these stones, leading His people. Jesus removed the barrier between us and God. It was long it extended from just below his elbows, all the way to his heels. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly. Lets find out more about the significance of the ephod. Before Jesus, most people didnt simply talk with God about His will, whether out of fear they were not holy enough and would incur His wrath or because God typically only spoke through His prophets. The High Priest was revered as much or more than any king or royalty of the nations around Israel. Pictured above: Memorial Stones with the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, which had the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob) according to their birth order and were placed on the shoulders of the ephod (Exodus 28:9-12. The integration of the stones in the breastplate, as well as the Hebrew usage of "Urim" as "lights," suggest that the Urim and Thummim may have been a type of ocular device through which the priest would look when receiving divine communication. 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. 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. Thats the number of GRACE! Gods divinity has come from Heaven. And David danced before the LORD with all, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. 5. The same as High Priests Tunic previously described. In 1 Chronicles 15 (27-28), though not a priest, King David is seen wearing a linen ephod (not the high priests ephod) as the ark of the covenant is returned to Jerusalem. There was onlyone time of the yearthat the High Priest wore the white garments. In the Bible, in the contexts where it is worn, the ephod is usually described as being linen, but did not constitute complete clothing of any kind, as the Books of Samuel describe. The prophet Samuel, too, wore an ephod during his service to God. (significance and symbolism), And thats it, folks, the ephod in the bible, Dream About the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem (Raw), 31+ Brilliant Bible Emergency Numbers (Verses). There was also a girdle sewed to the breastplate. Josephus, Antiquities 3:7:1 Twelve stones were also on the breastplate, extraordinary in largeness and beauty; and they were anornament not to be purchasedby men, because of theirimmense value. We are hidden in Jesus the PRECIOUS of God the Father (2 Peter 2:6), which makes us precious to Him! with all his mightintimating violent efforts of leaping, and divested of his royal mantle (in a state of undress), conduct apparently unsuitable to the gravity of age or the dignity of a king. No demand made upon that grace can delete it. Titus 2:14) The names were not simply written on the stones but rather engraved, meaning they can never be removed. The breastplate was held in place by golden chains attached to the onyx shoulder clasps and blue lace ribbons, which attached the breastplate to the ephod. 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. (Exodus 33:20-23. They are a part of the ritual the people must do to communicate with God, both to worship God and atone for their sins. Bluespeaks of Jesus Divinity as Very God having come down from Heaven the abode of God. Also, the names were not simply written on the stones but rather engraved, meaning they can never be removed. It was worn at all times while the High Priest was within the Temple. ), (4) Depicted is a Temple service with the kohane blessing ritual (duchenen in Yiddish) that is performed on certain holy days. (Hebrews 2:17;4:15) He does not simply understand what we feel, He feels what we feel! (Song of Songs 5:16) We have been brought by Jesus, our Great High Priest, to the place where we have enteredinto the presence of God the Father. Again, what Jesus is is what we are in the sight of God! The occasion was the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The High Priests Day of Atonement garment. Well, I recently wrote a blog post on breakthrough and touched on David. 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). From this description it appears to have been something like an apron or skirt with braces,[1] though Rashi argued that it was like a woman's riding girdle. 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). 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. We are now at peace with God because Jesus has born the full judgment of Gods wrath for us! Notice that there are five components: Gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen. More specifically, it was worn only by the high priestthe head of the Aaronic priesthood. Ephod | RayKLiu The ephod supported the breastpiece of 12 precious stones. The name Urim means lights, while Thummim means perfections.On the front of the breastplate were fastened twelve precious stones infourrows of three. Exodus 28:6 They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered Gideon is additionally described as creating an ephod made up of 1,700 shekels of gold (Judges 8:2527). They have to be diligently searched for with great determination, excavated, washed, and finally cut andpolished(1) by the master jeweler to release their true beauty. It is kept in position on the body by means of two shoulder pieces (v. 7) and a fastening band (v. 8).". [1][2] However, the biblical text states the Urim and Thummim were placed in the breastplate, not the ephod (Leviticus 8:8). This is a type of Christ's righteousness and perfect holiness during his entire human life. Note the story told by the colors and their order: Blue Jesus who is God came from heaven, Red Jesus was born of a red-blooded human virgin to become the Son of Man. 1 John 3:2). It was thin enough to arch across the forehead like a bow. This belt was made of a mixture of blue, purple, and scarlet wool yarn and white linen thread. [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]. (Genesis 3:19). White represents Jesus purity and righteousness which is the legal foundation for our redemption. Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. That is, we have the righteousness of Jesus imputed to us based on His finished work and are now free from the impossible task of attempting to earn righteousness through our dead works (1). 1 Samuel 2:18. 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. The ephod also symbolized the importance of obedience to Gods laws. Shes also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed. In one of the most effusive displays of worship recorded in the Bible, King David danced "before the Lord with all his might" ( 2 Samuel 6:14 ). NIV But Samuel was ministering before the LORD--a boy wearing a linen ephod. Ephodits a word you dont typically see today, and yet it carries great weight in the Bible when it comes to ceremony and honor. The high priest, in particular, wore skillfully crafted, expensive and beautiful items to indicate that he had been consecrated by God to come before Him on behalf of the nation. Exodus 39:6,7). In early Old Testament history, there are references to the ephod as a rather simple, linen garment, possibly a short skirt, apron, or loin cloth. The robes hem was woven over double to prevent it from ripping due to the weight of the pomegranates and bells. p. 156, 157. Its appearance can be likened to an apron; it was worn in back, on top of his other garments, and was fastened by a long belt in the front, opposite his heart. The Ephod - Theopolis Institute All the best with your assignment, I hope you get a good grade. The wearer of such linen would not sweat. The Stones of the Ephod. (Romans 5:1,2. Why did David request the ephod knowing he wasnt the High Priest? The Talmud argues that each of the textures was combined in six threads with a seventh of gold leaf, making 28 threads to the texture in total. The ephod was a garment that was to be worn by the High Priest. These stones represented that all the names of Gods Special Treasure (i.e., His people) and their needs are carried on His shoulders which represents being upheld by His strength. "And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. The ephod iss mentioned only in the Old Testament. The high priest wore two full length garments, the tunic/ undergarment worn by all priests and, additionally, his priestly robe (or the ephod). There appears to have been a strong religious and ceremonial implication to wearing an ephod, since the 85 priests at Nob are specifically identified as being the type of people who wore an ephod;[2] though the Masoretic text here describes them as being linen ephods (1 Samuel 22:18) the word linen is not present in the Septuagint version of the passage, nor is it present when the Septuagint describes David and Samuel as girding themselves with an ephod. Genesis 35:16-19). The High Priest had two tunics that he wore on the Day of Atonement. We are sinners in need of a Savior. Ephesians 2:8,9. God desires His ministers to have cool passions. Gideons ephod became a snare because it was an object of worship. , Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolishthe Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them butto fulfill them.. Breastplate Ephod (Vest or Apron) Robe (Coat - Outer Garment) Plate (Diadem or Crown) Tunic (Long Shirt - Inner Garment) Turban (Hat or Mitre) Sash ( Linen (1) Belt or Girdle) Undergarments (Short Pants) Now these are the garments that they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a fitted tunic, a turban, and a sash. The same as the High Priests undergarments previously described. Ephod - Holman Bible Dictionary - StudyLight.org Chitn is the word in the Greek Old Testament for the tunic/undergarment worn by all priests, while a different word, hypodyts ( ), is usually the word for the priestly robe. We set ourselves up for disappointment and disillusionment. The Gospel of John Jesus the Son of God. The same as the High Priests sash previously described. Stating that it was held together by a girdle, and had two shoulder straps which were fastened to the front of the ephod by golden rings, to which the breastplate was attached by golden chains (Exodus 28:614). Today, we dont have Urim and Thummim, but here is what we can learn from their use in the Old Testament: The ephod played an important role in the lives of both Gideon and David. Stay tuned for an upcoming post where I break this down. When Jesus says It is finished (or completed),what He is actually saying is, It is finishedand will continue to be finished. The first element of the perfect tense: the Aorist, punctiliar, point in time statement It is finished is powerful. I will start by explaining what an ephod is, who was allowed to wear it, and what it looked like. ephod, also spelled Efod, part of the ceremonial dress of the high priest of ancient Israel described in the Old Testament (Ex. Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can approach Gods throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. And as were told in 1 John 5:14, This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.. It symbolized authority and power and signified the wearers status as a mediator between God and man. The Stones of the Ephod | AHRC This light reflects the righteousness of Jesus and does not expose our blemishes from sin but rather reflects the righteousness of Jesus who is a forever brilliant, beautiful, shining, priceless, precious, and secure person! When Gideon made the ephod, he made it an object of worship for the Israelites. David's Ephod. What did the priestly garments look like? (John 19:30) It is the verb form of the word, Complete. This is the root word for Tekhelet, pronounced te-KAY-let, which was theblue tunicworn by the high priest. He used to be only All God, but now He is also All man, making HIm the Perfect Man! 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. Red Blood (1), the requirement for redemption that leads to righteousness. God made a way. The Aorist tense is punctiliar: meaning something that happens at a specific point in time; a moment. Jesus the Messiah! The ephod is frequently mentioned in close connection with the sacred oracle. It was worn outside the robe and probably kept in place by a girdle and by shoulder pieces, from which hung the breast piece (or pouch) containing the sacred lots (divinatory objects), Urim and Thummim, whose precise function is now unknown. The crafting of these priestly garments, along with other preparations for the elaborate details of the Lords tabernacle, takes up several chapter in Exodusfirst the descriptions of how they are to be made, then the description of the crafting itself. This is so important because it indicates a condition, a state of being, a resting place. He is the only one who can give us true peace and satisfaction. We cant be sure, but we do know that it was a significant part of the priests garments and it was worn out of obedience to God while they made intercession and heard from God. O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant. And the Lord said, He will come down.. It is clear that the ephod (and the associated breastpiece with the Urim and Thummim stones) was a way that God was able to direct His people (this is some time after he fights Goliath as a boy). As long as he wore the crown his thoughts were considered pure. Only he can save us from our sins and give us eternal life. This post is all about the ephod in the bible. That is, his personal emotions cannot overrule his ministry to represent people to God. The high priests ephod of the Old Testament is not a part of the modern church or Christian worship experience but it is a part of scripture and so it is still relevant today. In Hebrew, Dham means blood and Adham (i.e., Adam) means red-blooded man. These straps were attached to the ephod at the two upper corners. l. 3. c. 7. sect. Gideon had 70 sons from the many women he took as wives. God bless you . Aww! (Antiqu. 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.