Category:Ephod

Eph"od, n. Etym: [Heb. aphad to put on.] (Jew. Antiq.)

Defn: A part of the sacerdotal habit among Jews, being a covering for the back and breast, held together on the shoulders by two clasps or brooches of onyx stones set in gold, and fastened by a girdle of the same stuff as the ephod. The ephod for the priests was of plain linen; that for the high priest was richly embroidered in colors. The breastplate of the high priest was worn upon the ephod in front. Exodus 28:6-12.

---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

Ephod - Something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Exodus 28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Samuel 22:18), and characteristic of his office (1 Samuel 2:18, 1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Samuel 14:3). It was worn by Samuel, and also by David (2 Samuel 6:14). It was made of fine linen, and consisted of two pieces, which hung from the neck, and covered both the back and front, above the tunic and outer garment (Exodus 28:31). That of the high priest was embroidered with diverse colors. The two pieces were joined together over the shoulders (hence in Latin called superhumerale) by clasps or buckles of gold or precious stones, and fastened round the waist by a "curious girdle of gold, blue, purple, and fine twined linen" (Exodus 28:6). The breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was attached to the ephod.