ephod

American  

[ef-od, ee-fod] / ˈɛf ɒd, ˈi fɒd /

noun

Judaism.

1. a richly embroidered, apronlike vestment having two shoulder straps and ornamental attachments for securing the breastplate, worn with a waistband by the high priest of the ancient Israelites.

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ephod British  

/ ˈiːfɒd /

noun

1. Old Testament an embroidered vestment believed to resemble an apron with shoulder straps, worn by priests in ancient Israel

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Etymology

Origin of ephod

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Hebrew ēphōd, apparently meaning “idol” in some passages

Example Sentences

That last location, if a reference in Second Maccabees is correct, contains the most important artifacts in religious history, including the tabernacle Moses carried through the wilderness with him and the Israelites after the biblical exodus from Egypt, and all of the tabernacle’s treasures - holy serving vessels of gold and silver; the ephod, a ceremonial breastplate worn by the Israelites’ high priest; the altar from the Holy of Holies; several pounds of gold and silver ingots; and the Ark of the Covenant.

From Washington Times

This same narrative dwells upon the graven images, ephod and terāphīm, as forming the apparatus of religious ceremonial in Micah’s household.

From Project Gutenberg

Afterwards, when Abiathar fled to David with the high priest’s ephod, through which the judgment of Urim and Thummim seems to have been announced, David regarded that circumstance as an indication of the Divine permission to him to make use of the sacred oracle.

From Project Gutenberg

The very presence in his camp of Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, who escaped the massacre, with his ephod,—an official means of consulting God in all cases of difficulty,—would be a visible proof to his followers and to the community at large, that God was on his side.

From Project Gutenberg

It was about this time that Abiathar the son of Ahimelech came to him, bringing an ephod from Nob, perhaps the only sacred thing that in the hurry and horror of his flight he was able to carry away.

From Project Gutenberg