The second row contained acarbuncle,jasper, and a sapphire. As Moses explained to Aaron, they needed to follow these directions perfectly or face consequences, including death. BIBLE WARDROBES AND THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN'S SPIRITUAL CLOTHING - Lesson 4 Girded with a linen ephod.This is usually spoken of as if David were arrayed in a distinctively priestly dress; but it is remarkable that the ephod was not prescribed as a part of the priestly dressthe ephod of the high-priest (Exodus 25:7, &c.) being quite a different thingand was worn by others, as Samuel (1Samuel 2:18). Why Does the Bible Use the Word Long-suffering? Red and blue combined yield purple. 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. But Moses pleaded with God to forgive the people, and God relented. If you are unsure of what to do, dont be afraid to ask God for guidance. A. The breastplate was, in reality, a piece of elaborately finished cloth of the same material as the ephod. Ephesians 2:13-18. 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. All the best with your assignment, I hope you get a good grade. 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. It is mentioned throughout the Bible and has been worn by some of the most well-known figures in Christianity. The onyx stones were meant to be memorial stones, we are told in Exodus 28:12, representing the sons of Israelliterally, the descendants of the biblical patriarch Jacob, also known as Israel, through his 12 sons birthed through his two wives, Leah and Rachel, and two concubines, Bilhah and Zilpah. (2)http://www.templeinstitute.org/high-priest-garments-gallery.htm, (3) Ut supra. 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. These were then rolled and hammered some more until each piece was the tiniest, finest pure gold thread. In Exodus 39, we read how the Israelites were obedient in this and crafted the ephod exactly as God commanded. EPHOD - JewishEncyclopedia.com Hebrews 4:14-15 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. That is, God became something He was not before. Gods divinity has come from Heaven. 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 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). And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family. (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 took a merciless beating so we would not have to take one! White is the symbolic color of purity, of cleanliness. A. The Breastplate was also attached to the Ephod by one piece of blue wool yarn on each lower side. It was also a symbol of his office. The Priestly Garments - Bible History The Aorist tense is punctiliar: meaning something that happens at a specific point in time; a moment. In this manner, the crown, itself a thin plate, was kept tied and in place on the High Priests forehead. The ephod was worn by David while dancing in the presence of the Ark (containing the stone tablets). We know the ephod was a tool of ceremonya special, ornate, handcrafted item with great significance. Urim and Thummim are two stones that were set in the ephod and were used to inquire of the Lord about specific matters. (Isaiah 53:5. The breastplate, called the Urim and Thummim would rest in a cloth receptacle upon the ephod. Just like how the ephod easily became a snare based on the three points provided, we can draw some lessons that we can apply today. This connection between the ephod and the oracle may also be seen very clearly in the combination of . ";[8] according to the Bible this action eventually caused the whole of Israel to turn away from God yet again and the ruin of Gideon and his family. The people of Israel worshipped the ephod as if it were a god. (3) The ephod covered the back of his body. For an object to be considered an object of worship, it must have the approval of the Aaronic priesthood and Levites. And why was it important? Ephod, I Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY - JW.ORG In Hebrew, Dham means blood and Adham (i.e., Adam) means red-blooded man. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [1][2] The object made by Gideon is plainly described as having been worshipped, and therefore the idol of some deity, while the object made by Micah is closely associated with a Teraphim, and the Ephod and Teraphim are described interchangeably with the Hebrew terms pesel and massekah, meaning graven image, and molten image, respectively. This skillful weave was not the routine cross-weave pattern found in most linen garments made from Israels looms. 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. 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. CSB Samuel served in the Lord's presence--this mere boy was dressed in the linen ephod. Jesus, our Great High Priest, has human emotions, human understanding, and human compassion. Romans 11:6)Hallelujah! It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. Although the significance of the ephod has changed over time, it still represents the authority and power that God has given to His people. Only Jesus Christ is worthy of our worship and devotion. (Deuteronomy 7:6. The wearer of such linen would not sweat. God is not looking at my thoughts to judge me but rather the thoughts of the high priest. It was a strip twice as long as it was wide but folded back on itself to form a square bag into which theUrimandThummimwere placed. The high priest also wore a plate of pure gold on his forehead. So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord. There are two basic meanings for the word ephod. It was made of linen with gold, blue, purple and scarlet. Gold (pure) (1) Almighty God who is Holy. thanks for this info concerning the ephod it helped me with my assignment. The Amalekites also took captive all the women and children. It also points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who sacrificed Himself for our sins. Why Did Jesus Give Believers the Beatitudes? 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). May God bless you abundantly! Aww! The High Priests Day of Atonement garment. First, the "ephod" (a garment): They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen, worked into designs . 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. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) But rather this means as we go through our daily lives, we are to rest in Jesus, not worrying about what we shall eat, drink, or wear, etc. Other scholars[who?] Ephod | RayKLiu What does 1 Samuel 2:18 mean? | BibleRef.com The high priest was the one who represented the people before God. On Mount Sinai, God commanded Moses to tell the people, Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. Lets find out more about the significance of the ephod. It is a place of unlimited grace (i.e., unlimited favor). A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ephod&oldid=1142452419, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 13:06. Blue Heaven the abode of God. A passage in the Book of Exodus describes the Ephod as an elaborate garment worn by the high priest, and upon which the Hoshen, or breastplate containing Urim and Thummim, rested. David then inquired of God, and God told him what to do. - They shall make the ephod The word ephod signifies etymologically any "vestment" or "garment;" but in its use it is confined to the special vestment here described, the great object of which was to be a receptacle for the "breast-plate." The ephod was a sort of jerkin or waistcoat, consisting of two pieces, one to cover the chest and the other the back, joined together probably by a . This is so important because it indicates a condition, a state of being, a resting place. It is often used in ceremonial dress, and it is also used in religious artwork. We dont need an ephod to talk to God today, just as we no longer need to sacrifice lambs on the altar to atone for our sins. The ephod also symbolized the high priests authority over the people. What was the significance of the ephod? | GotQuestions.org (1 Corinthians 1:30) The Father sees us in His Son, not apart from Him with the glorious radiance of the One that is Altogether Lovely (i.e., Totally Desirable) shines upon us. The name Urim means lights, while Thummim means perfections.On the front of the breastplate were fastened twelve precious stones infourrows of three. Gideons ephod became a snare because it was an object of worship. When you and I accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we, the red of human birth, accept the blue of Christs divinity,and we become purple, too! Ephod - The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia Urim and Thummim were used to ask questions about war, judgment, and guidance from God. Just as the high priest went into the Holy of Holies to commune with God on behalf of the people, we need a Savior to go into the presence of God on our behalf. Jesus, the one full of Grace and Truth! Best effort color determination of Breastplate Stone colors since some of the stones names have changed over time (Exodus 28:17-21. I will start by explaining what an ephod is, who was allowed to wear it, and what it looked like. What Was the Spiritual Purpose of the Ephod in the Bible? According to Josephus, the engraved onyx stones on the shoulders were designed so that the six eldest sons names were engraved on the stone on the right shoulder and those of the six youngest sons on the stone on the left shoulder. His name is Jesus Christ, and He is our great High Priest. Similar material as the High Priests Turban previously described; however, it was donned by wrapping the head. The same as the High Priests Tunic previously described. It was worn at all times while the High Priest was within the Temple. Ephod - Meaning and What Was it Used For? The ephod didnt have the Aaronic priesthood or Levites behind it to give it authority. On each of these stones was engraved the name of one of the tribes of Israel. The High Priest was revered as much or more than any king or royalty of the nations around Israel. On each shoulder piece, six of Jacobs sons names were engraved on an onyx stone (these were the 12 men who founded the 12 tribes of Israel). What is a Ephod and what does it look like? He also had a Shechemite concubine who bore him a son whom he named Abimelech, which means "my father is king" (Judges 8:31). So, just as the ephod was a reminder of Gods power for the Israelites, so too can our relationship with Jesus be a source of strength and comfort for us. What is an Ephod in the Bible? - Understanding the Bible Ephod | religious dress | Britannica (1) Select the link to open another article in a new tab with additional information. Note that God is concerned about covering our nakedness or private parts (Exodus 20:26. 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. 22:18). 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. Thanks Manu! But when Moses stayed with God too long on the mountain, 40 days and nights, the people turned away from the Lord and worshipped other gods (Exodus 32). (p) Lexic. Thanks Lallie, thanks for stopping by! Mandrakes in the Bible | Thought-Provoking! He is our high priest, and he represents us before God. 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. Ephod - Wikipedia When we understand this, we can see how important it is to have a relationship with him. (Leviticus 21:10. He (David) has an infamous line Bring me the ephod.. His sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul and those of his body. Satan seeks to display them in a shameful, exploitative way leading to a sense of vulnerability that approximates a fear of evil (Genesis 3:7). Again, linen isa unique fabric that keeps the wearer cool in hot weather and warm when it is cold which were very practical qualities for living in an arid climate with hot days and cold nights. However, I know if you are super interested, you will likely move along the post in a systematic fashion. But what is an ephod, exactly? For instance, in Judges 8:25-27, the Israelites threw gold rings into a pile, which were then melted down and turned into an ephod that Gideon placed in his town, where it was worshipped by the people. The first two articles of clothing worn by the High Priest were the linen breeches and the linen coat. We become like Jesus with the difference that we started out all red and He started out all blue (i.e., all God). 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. Linen Leggings (Short Pants Undergarments), Undergarments (Short Pants Linen Leggings). It was not, therefore, a peculiarly priestly dress, though naturally more worn by them than by any one else. It was to be made of threads "of blue and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen" and embroidered in gold thread "with cunning work" ( Exodus 28:4; 29:5; 39:2; Leviticus 8:7 ). According to the ancient apocryphal Lives of the Prophets, after the death of Zechariah Ben Jehoiada, the priests of the Temple could no more, as before, see the apparitions of the angels of the Lord, nor could make divinations with the Ephod, nor give responses from the Debir. Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? What does it look like? While the priestly garments were allowed to have a combination of wool and linen, those of the laity were not. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. June 13, 2014 by Peter Leithart. There is some deviation from the Breastplate order as the tribe of Levi is in the middle of the camp around the tabernacle, and the tribe of Joseph is replaced with his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh, effectively giving the tribe of Joseph a double portion in the promised land. 2 Timothy 1:9. The other Levites were tasked with helping the priests in these duties (. David needed guidance from God, so he asked Abiathar again to bring him the ephod (1 Samuel 30:7). We are sinners in need of a Savior. Romans 5:1;10:15. It carried much symbolic weight. Priesthood garments - Ephod - and significance - JudaicaWorld archives The ephod was not always used to honor God. 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 ). These stones, however, stood in three rows, by four in a row, and were inserted into the breastplate itself, and they were set in (p)ouches of gold, that were themselves inserted in the breastplate and were so made that they might not fall out. As Christians, we can look at the image of the ephod and praise God that through the death of His Son, Jesus our Great High Priest, we can have direct access to God. The combination of these two tenses in the perfect tense is used inJohn 19:30is of overwhelming significance to the Christian. It reminds us that we are His chosen people and have been given authority over the enemy. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes about the importance of clothing ourselves with Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27). Red Blood (1), the requirement for redemption that leads to righteousness. One he wore in the morning and the other in the evening. God redeemed our sweat when Jesus great drops of sinless blood mixed with the great drops of the sweat of the second and last Adam, Jesus, in the second garden (Gethsemane). The prophet Samuel, too, wore an ephod during his service to God. The spiritual significance of the ephod is that it points to Jesus as our high priest. In the former the ephod is referred to in the priestly ordinances as a part of the official dress of the high priest, and was to be made of threads . Exodus 28:6 They are to make the ephod of finely spun linen embroidered Blue, purple, and scarlet wool yarn along with white linen thread and pure gold thread of the ephod. Over a robe of checker work the High Priest wore a garment called an 'ephod'. We are also given the Holy Spirit, who helps us to grow in our relationship with God. The ephod is a garment of great significance. Further, two onyx stones are to be mounted in gold and fastened on the ephods shoulder pieces. Learn how your comment data is processed. There were also had two shoulder straps that were sewn onto the belt. Breastpiece or breastplate of judgment.. When we are trying to make a decision, we can ask God for guidance, and He will show us what to do. 2:18), and once even David (ii Sam. This does not mean we are to sit around and do nothing all day. And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. The word urim means lights, and thummim means perfections.. The purpose of this study is to review in detail each of the three priestly garments of the Old Testament. They attempted to follow everything God commanded, from His rules about how to properly make a sacrifice and how to build the tabernacle, to who gets to enter the tent and how they are to ceremonially prepare for this work. I appreciate your kind sentiments. Sacr. The High Priest had two tunics that he wore on the Day of Atonement. Stay tuned for an upcoming post where I break this down. 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. We can now approach God and see His face without dying (Exodus 28:35) and not just His backside like Moses under the law. The tunicwas first invented by God for Adam and Eve after they had sinned, and He made them from the skin of an animal which I believe was a ram. col. 1793. There was onlyone time of the yearthat the High Priest wore the white garments. The Gospel of Luke Jesus the Son of Man. 1 : a linen apron worn in ancient Hebrew rites especially : a vestment for the high priest 2 : an ancient Hebrew instrument of priestly divination Word History Etymology Middle English, from Late Latin, from Hebrew phdh First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Time Traveler 12 Fascinating Facts about the Ephod in the Bible | Ephod Bible Study What does it look like? She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. (Genesis 3:21) However, here the tunic was made out of very fine linen. Per my previous explanations, the Ephod was a garment that was only to be worn by the high priest. David's Ephod | Peter Leithart The Golden Garments of the High Priest revealed Jesus as God the Great High Priest in Heaven. Jesus tunic was made out of the finest linen and was completely seamless. Gideon went on to make an ephod out of the gold won in battle; according to Ginzberg's The Legends of the Jews: "..In the high priest's breastplate, Joseph was represented among the twelve tribes by Ephraim alone, not by Manasseh, too. This bespoke of custom-fitted, meticulously detailed, and immaculately clean garments. Only he is worthy of our worship and devotion. (http://www.ciu.edu/content/it-finished-look-greek), Hal has been teaching the Bible for over three decades. It was as if The Word (i.e., Jesus) offered the animal sacrifices to God the Father. The holy garments that the priests wore while performing their duties set them apart from the rest of the Israelites. It was long it extended from just below his elbows, all the way to his heels. The making of the gold thread provides a glimpse into what our Jesus endured for our sakes when He was beaten, pressed, hammered, cut, bruised, and battered for our redemption. You might be surprised at how relevant the image of the ephod is today. Later on in 1 Samuel 23 and 30, we see David call for the ephod in order to communicate with God at a time when Saul was plotting against him. From the tribe of Levi, the family of Aaron was chosen to serve as priests. (, The descendants of Aaron were responsible for offering sacrifices and keeping the tabernacleor, later, the templeclean and orderly. These straps went behind, up, and slightly over the garments upper corners, over the priests shoulders. Shes also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed. Melchizedeks name comes from two Hebrew words: Melchi, meaning King, and Zedek,meaning Righteousness. David Was Wearing a Linen Ephod | Trinity Presbyterian Church North Bay Here, we explore the biblical meaning and spiritual significance of the ephod. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. The ephod iss mentioned only in the Old Testament. [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. 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). The preciousness of Jesus in the eyes of God the Father has been imputed to us even as His righteousness has been imputed to us. Exodus 39:10-14). The perfect tense is a combination of two Greek tenses: the Present tense and the Aorist tense. (Genesis 3:19). Today, the ephod is not worn by the High Priest. P.S Here is the YouTube video that relates to this blog post: Wow! These are the same precious stones in the Garden of God called Eden (Ezekiel 28:13), symbolizing when mankind was free from sin. And they shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, so that it may lie on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, so that the breastpiece shall not come loose from the ephod. However . 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). 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). Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly. God made a way. The Bible instructs that each thread used in the High Priests breastplate and ephod must be 28 plies. And David danced before the LORD with all, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. These included: According to scripture (Exodus 28:6-12), the high priests ephod consisted of two gold shoulder pieces and an intricately woven band of gold, scarlet, blue, and purple yarn connecting them. Did David dance naked (2 Samuel 6:14)? | GotQuestions.org This led to even more division among the Israelites. Praecidan. 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. More specifically, it was worn only by the high priestthe head of the Aaronic priesthood. 1 Peter 2:4,5. This sparked an interest in re-reading the story of David and his conquests. God also told Moses to make sure the people stayed back and did not try to approach the Lord, for they were not holy or capable enough to be in His presence. We dont need an ephod anymore, because Jesus fulfilled its purpose. Jesus is our high priest, our Redeemer, and He is all we need.
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