אֵפוֹד (e.phod)
e.phod
ephod
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 38 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun ephod refers to a distinctive priestly garment, typically described as a shoulder-cape or apron-like outer vestment. In the tabernacle instructions of Exodus 28, it was an elaborate piece woven from gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, designed to hold the breastpiece bearing the names of Israel’s tribes. This high priestly version served as a visible sign of intercession, carrying the people before God on the priest’s shoulders.
Outside the sanctuary, the term appears in narratives where ordinary priests, such as Samuel (1 Samuel 2:18), or even King David (2 Samuel 6:14), wore simpler linen versions while serving or dancing. The word also carries a darker connotation in Judges and Hosea, where an ephod crafted by Gideon (Judges 8:27) or kept at Micah’s shrine becomes associated with idolatrous worship and divination, highlighting how sacred objects could be misused for unauthorized spiritual inquiry.
Etymologically, the word is likely of foreign origin, possibly linked to a root meaning "to gird" or "bind," which fits its function as a secured garment. Its dual usage—both as legitimate priestly attire and as an instrument of illicit divination—underscores the biblical tension between proper worship and the human desire for control over divine knowledge.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The ephod was far more than a piece of clothing; it was a heavy garment woven with gold and colored threads, designed to carry the names of Israel’s tribes on the high priest’s shoulders. When Aaron entered the Holy Place, he did not go alone. The stones on his shoulders served as a constant memorial, reminding God of His people before entering His presence. This image offers comfort in our own prayers. We are never alone when we approach God, for Christ, our great High Priest, carries us with Him.
Yet the Bible also warns us about the ephod’s misuse. In Judges, Gideon’s ephod became an idol, and Micah’s private shrine used it for divination. These stories show how easily we can turn sacred things into tools for control or personal gain. True worship is not about manipulating God through objects or rituals, but about trusting Him with our lives. The ephod points us away from self-reliance and toward the one who truly intercedes for us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 38 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ ephod31×
- an ephod of4×
- an ephod4×
- for the/ ephod3×
- [the] ephod2×
- into/ an ephod1×
- and/ an ephod1×
- [will be] an ephod1×
- [are] an ephod1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/אֵפֹ֖ד7×
- הָ/אֵפֹ֑ד5×
- אֵפ֥וֹד4×
- הָ/אֵפֹ֔ד3×
- אֵפ֖וֹד3×
- לָ/אֵפ֖וֹד2×
- הָֽ/אֵפֹ֔ד2×
- הָ֣/אֵפ֔וֹד2×
- הָ/אֵפֽוֹד\׃2×
- הָ/אֵפֹֽד\׃2×
- לָ/אֵפֹ֖ד1×
- לְ/אֵפ֗וֹד1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 28:12
You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel. Aaron shall bear their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders for a memorial.
This verse establishes the core purpose of the garment: the priest bears the names of the tribes on his shoulders as a memorial before God, symbolizing intercession.
-
Judges 8:27
Gideon made an ephod out of it, and put it in Ophrah, his city. Then all Israel played the prostitute with it there; and it became a snare to Gideon and to his house.
Here the ephod shifts from sacred duty to spiritual danger, becoming a snare that led Israel into idolatry after Gideon’s death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is an ephod?
Why is the ephod mentioned negatively in Judges?
Did only the high priest wear an ephod?
Every Occurrence (38 verses across 7 books)
Exodus 21 verses
onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.
Exodus 28:4These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a fitted tunic, a turban, and a sash.…
Exodus 28:6“They shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.
Exodus 28:12You shall put the two stones on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel.…
Exodus 28:15“You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make…
Exodus 28:25The other two ends of the two braided chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of…
Exodus 28:26You shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which is…
Exodus 28:27You shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its…
Exodus 28:28They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be on the…
Exodus 28:31“You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
Exodus 29:5You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and…
Exodus 35:9onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.
Exodus 35:27The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate;
Exodus 39:2He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Exodus 39:7He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as Yahweh…
Exodus 39:8He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet,…
Exodus 39:18The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the…
Exodus 39:19They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of…
Exodus 39:20They made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close…
Exodus 39:21They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the…
Exodus 39:22He made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.