Heather, such a well detailed out explanation about the Ephod. It was intended for both the front and back of the body and made in two parts, which were clasped together at the shoulder by two onyx stones set in gold. Therefore, some textual scholars regard its presence in the Masoretic text as a later editorial gloss.[2]. These straps went behind, up, and slightly over the garments upper corners, over the priests shoulders. The first significant passage is in Exodus where God is providing Moses with the design of the ephod that Aaron, the high priest, would wear. This arrangement of the tribes forms a cross with its base to the East. 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. It is kept in position on the body by means of two shoulder pieces (v. 7) and a fastening band (v. 8).". 6:14) wore a simple ephod of linen, apparently during sacred service or at special celebrations (i Sam. It was a day of rejoicing as David "and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets . Per my previous explanations, the Ephod was a garment that was only to be worn by the high priest. In addition to being a holy item, the ephod is a symbol of the people, as well as their sins. The same as High Priests Turbin previously described. This post is all about the ephod in the bible. We are sinners in need of a Savior. The High Priests Day of Atonement garment. The high priest wore it when he went into the Holy of Holies to intercede with God on behalf of the people. The exact meaning and derivation of the term "ephod" are not clear. 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, Once you become purple, you can never become red again. Hallelujah! Learnt a lot from the work you put into this. suggest that the ephod originally refers to a container for the stones used to cast lots and later became associated with many objects that also could contain the stones or were used in divination. All rights reserved. Melchizedeks name comes from two Hebrew words: Melchi, meaning King, and Zedek,meaning Righteousness. Mandrakes in the Bible | Thought-Provoking! Lets find out more about the significance of the ephod. As long as he wore the crown his thoughts were considered pure. 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. This indicates the ongoing nature of our salvation. (Luke 22:44) That is, He redeemed us from sweat produced from human works, effort, striving, worrying, fear, etc., and gave us His rest and peace! Each garment was individually made from the finest white flax linen in Israel. White represents Jesus purity and righteousness which is the legal foundation for our redemption. The Golden Garment of the High Priests uniform was a two-layered set of clothing which included the four garments of the regular priests plus four additional articles of clothing that were added to enhance the ritual beauty and honor of the sacredness of the duties of the High Priest in his daily work of atonement for the children of Israel. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord. (Romans 5:1,2. Very informative, people need to study the Old Testament more for a solid foundation of understanding of the New Testament. 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. The ephod was a symbol of the authority of the high priest. which was of the forementioned colors, with gold intermixed which, when it had gone once round, was tied again upon the seam and hung down.. The second row contained acarbuncle,jasper, and a sapphire. 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. The Gospel of Luke Jesus the Son of Man. Likely this had to do with the sacredness of the priesthoods garments and what these materials and colors represented typologically. 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. This ephod might have been worn or set upon an altar. But the ephod is not just mentioned in Exodus and Leviticus. 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. One Greek word, Tetelestai, is spoken in the perfect tense by Jesus on the cross, and itwasfinished at that moment and for all time. For Glory and Beauty, the garments bring praise to God and admiration from all that gaze upon them. The breastplate, called the Urim and Thummim would rest in a cloth receptacle upon the ephod. When Saul or David wished to question Yhwh through the oracle, they commanded the priest, "Bring hither the ephod" ( 1 Samuel 14:18 [A. V. "ark of God"], 23:9, 30:7). Since the twelve stones were in one breastplate, they speak of the oneness of the people of God, while their position upon Aarons breast speaks of Gods affection for His people. The wearer of such linen would not sweat. 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. We also see King David wearing a linen ephod in 2 Samuel 6:14 and 1 Chronicles 15:27 as he and others carried the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family. Purple the God-Man (Blue+Red=Purple) Jesus who is the Last Adam! The ephod didnt have the Aaronic priesthood or Levites behind it to give it authority. 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. (Exodus 33:20-23. (1 John 1:5. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people,a royal priesthood,a holy nation,Gods special possession,that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (Hebrews 2:17;4:15) He does not simply understand what we feel, He feels what we feel! 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 underpriest's ephod was probably like the high priest's in shape but was made of plain white cloth, not embroidered, and the linen of which it was made may not have been of the quality of the high priest's ephod. Its width is approximately 4 cm (approximately 1.5 inches). Curiosity got the best of me to research about the ephodHence, after much research, this super detailed blog post was birthed. Some believe David sinned by wearing the linen ephod in his worship. The ephod was a sacred garment in the Old Testament. The Gospel of John Jesus the Son of God. 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. Remember, it was customary in Israel to tear their garments and put sackcloth and ashes on their heads upon the death of a relative (Genesis 37:33,34). 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. For instance, in 1 Samuel 23, when David heard Saul was plotting against him, he went to Abiathar the priest and asked him to bring the ephod (v. 9). The Bible mentions Urim and Thummim many times. The crown had three small holes: two on each end and one in the center located along the upper edge. The High Priest is also a King of Israel! [5] Since the oracular process is considered by scholars to have been one of cleromancy, with the Urim and Thummim being the objects which were drawn as lots, the Ephod is considered by scholars to have been some form of container for the Urim and Thummim;[2][5] to harmonise this with the descriptions of the Ephod as a garment, it is necessary to conclude that the Ephod must have originally been some sort of pocket, which the priests girded to themselves. What Do We Learn about Babylon in the Bible? They are hidden in the place where he removes them. This diadem, crown, or headband was constructed with one piece of pure gold engraved with the simple message, Holy to the Lord. Unlike the crown worn by royalty on top of the head, this is worn across the forehead and extends from ear to ear. The High Priest had two tunics that he wore on the Day of Atonement. Praecidan. But what is an ephod, exactly? 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. 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). He is not disappointed or angry at us living stones but rather well pleased since we are holy and perfect in Jesus Christ! When we understand this, we can see how important it is to have a relationship with him. Although the significance of the ephod has changed over time, it still represents the authority and power that God has given to His people. 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. There was onlyone time of the yearthat the High Priest wore the white garments. The most important garment worn by the High Priest is the ephod. As Moses explained to Aaron, they needed to follow these directions perfectly or face consequences, including death. The Aorist tense is punctiliar: meaning something that happens at a specific point in time; a moment. Sacr. The ephod reminds us that we need to seek His face and ask for His help in everything we do. [1][2] However, the biblical text states the Urim and Thummim were placed in the breastplate, not the ephod (Leviticus 8:8). (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. (Genesis 14:18,20. The name Urim means lights, while Thummim means perfections.On the front of the breastplate were fastened twelve precious stones infourrows of three. (John 19:23,24). (Matthew 6:25-34). Only certain people were allowed to wear the ephod. Red Blood (1), the requirement for redemption that leads to righteousness. 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). However . It reminds us that we are His chosen people and have been given authority over the enemy. 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. 1 Samuel 2:18. 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 ). David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. Much effort went into the making of the ephod, and it was crafted from finery. It was worn over the tunic; the tunic was longer than the robe by one handbreadth, so it was visible underneath the robe at the bottom. Goldwas beaten, pressed, and hammered into paper-thin sheets, then cut into tiny strips. White typifies righteousness and purity. Pomegranates, by contrast, are somewhat easier to identify. She has a weekly YouTube devotional, too. This isnt mentioned negatively, but as an act of worship. (Matthew 13:44) When God, who is light, looks upon us living stones in Christ, He sees reflected back His perfect light from the stones. It was as if The Word (i.e., Jesus) offered the animal sacrifices to God the Father. Gideons ephod just added to this division. God bless you! It was also a symbol of his office. He offers sacrifices after every six paces, gets the ark into a . These sons Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjaminall became the heads of their own family groups, comprising Gods people, Israel. But these items, designed by God, are significant. A special one was worn by the High Priest (and described in detail to Moses in Exodus 28:6-14, 22-28 ). And he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod here. Then David said, O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. His sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul and those of his body. Consequently, it is NOT all about us but rather all about Jesus Christ, and we are hidden in Him! The Ephod was an apron-like garment worn in priestly activities at the temple. [2] The verb --, "to gird," is used for an ephod, [3] implying that an ephod contains (or perhaps is) a belt or sash. The ephod is also a reminder of our need for God. He consecrated it to God, but after his death homage was paid to it as an idol. This skillful weave was not the routine cross-weave pattern found in most linen garments made from Israels looms. But praise be to God, we have a Savior! In Jesus statement, It is finished, we have a declaration of salvation that is both in a particular moment in time and eternity. Yarn and Thread Colors Five Colors which is the Biblical Number for Grace. In the book of Exodus and in Leviticus one is described as being created for the High Priest to wear as part of his official vestments (Exodus 28:4+, 29:5, 39:2+; Leviticus 8:7). (1 Peter 2:9). 28:6-8; 39:2-5). On each side, one chain represents that we will never be snatched from God our Fathers hand, and a second chain represents we will never be snatched from our God Jesus hand. The Present tense is linear: meaning something that continues on into the future and has ongoing results/implications. The ephod also symbolized the high priests authority over the people. The ephod is a very important symbol in the Bible. 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. This belt was made of a mixture of blue, purple, and scarlet wool yarn and white linen thread. To wipe out this slight upon his own tribe, Gideon made an ephod bearing the name of Manasseh. Now the first three stones were asardonyx, a topaz, and an emerald. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together. l. 3. c. 7. sect. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly. Glad this was of some help. There was also a finely woven linen element to the piece. It was made by fine weaving, in which there was no sewing except to sew on the arm sleeves. Long sleeves were worn by privileged people, meaning they did not have to perform manual labor. The ephod was of great importance. Thats the number of GRACE! When a priest would inquire of the Lord about a specific matter, he would put his hand on the appropriate stone. The first of the fourth row was achrysolite, the next was an onyx, and then a beryl, which was the last of all. He believes, second to cultivating his relationship with God that raising his family unto the Lord is the most significant task for him while on Earth. Gideons ephod became a snare because it was an object of worship. A. The Golden Garments of the High Priest revealed Jesus as God the Great High Priest in Heaven. The color of Grace. Some believe the ephod looked like an apron that covered the body from shoulder to hip, others that it was like a chestless jacket for the breastpiece to fit into. [2] The biblical description also adds that there were two engraved gems over the shoulder straps (like epaulettes), made from shoham (thought by scholars to mean malachite,[2][3] by Jewish tradition to mean heliodor,[2] and in the King James Version translated as "onyx", and with the names of the 12 tribes written upon them; the classical rabbinical sources differ as to the order in which the tribes were named on the jewels (Sotah 36a). Jesus, the one full of Grace and Truth! [6], The object at Nob, which must have been somewhat freestanding since another object is kept behind it, and the objects made by Gideon and by Micah, from molten gold, logically cannot have just been garments. 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. An ephod was a garment usually made of linen that covered the priest from the shoulder to the hip. Only he can save us from our sins and give us eternal life. Divinely Righteous. Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them (Exodus 19:21-22). (Leviticus 21:10. Much, much later, the Bible tells us God allowed the destruction of Israel because of their great and continued long streak of disobedience, and that part of their destruction included no guidance from God. 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. This sash was made of only white linen thread. White is the symbolic color of purity, of cleanliness. As He specifies, the ephod should be made of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linenthe work of skilled hands. This led to idolatry and spiritual adultery. Photo credit: GettyImages/Javier_Art_Photography. Then take two lazuli stones and engrave on them the names . 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). (1) A sacred vestment originally designed for the high priest ( Exodus 28:4; 39:2 ), and made "of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen," held together by two shoulder-pieces and a skillfully woven band which served as a girdle for the ephod. Realize, precious stones are typically located deep within the earth. In modern Christianity, it is easy to gloss over the parts of scripture that are no longer seen or practiced like the garments and items the Jewish priests wore in the Old Testament. Jesus is our high priest, our Redeemer, and He is all we need. When David and his men returned to Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had raided the city and burned it 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. It reminds us of our need to obey Gods laws and of His authority over us. We are saved at a specific point in time, it is finished, our debt is paid, we are ransomed from the kingdom of darkness, and then we confidently rest in the reality that it will continue to be finished because we are in a position of grace and stand justified for all time before God. It was not, therefore, a peculiarly priestly dress, though naturally more worn by them than by any one else. Verse 14 says he was wearing a linen ephod as he danced before the LORD. (Matthew 26:62-65). 2:18), and once even David (ii Sam. ESV Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? To most commentators, a belt and shoulder straps suggested an apron-like garment. We can also replace Jesus Christ with our own self-righteousness. It was made . There were also had two shoulder straps that were sewn onto the belt. And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aarons heart, when he goes in before the Lord. The ephod reminds us that we are set apart. 1 John 3:2). As a Garment. Jesus came from Heaven to become a red-blooded man. 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 . And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst. Blue, purple, and scarlet wool yarn along with white linen thread and pure gold thread of the ephod. It also points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who sacrificed Himself for our sins. The Bible instructs that each thread used in the High Priests breastplate and ephod must be 28 plies. David's Ephod. They were all united under one High Priest. 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. 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. 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 ephod is an exterior garment, worn over the tunic and robe (vv, 31-35, 39). Again, 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. When we are trying to make a decision, we can ask God for guidance, and He will show us what to do. Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at jessicabrodie.com. (Genesis 3:21) However, here the tunic was made out of very fine linen. 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. God bless you . (Genesis 3:19). He was also the King of Salem, which means peace. Well, I recently wrote a blog post on breakthrough and touched on David. 4 Reasons Why We Have a Hard Time Talking about Loneliness. A. He reminded His people of His faithfulness with beautiful depictions of the names of the 12 sons of Jacob on the onyx stones on the ephod (and breastpiece). 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. 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). However, at Jesus Sanhedrin trial, the High Priest Caiaphas (the name means rock) tore his clothes even though this was forbidden. Jesus tunic was made out of the finest linen and was completely seamless. Red and blue combined yield purple. The ephod is a garment of great significance. It is also to be noted that the high priests ephod (Exodus 28:6; Exodus 28:8, &c.) was made of shesh, while the garments of the ordinary priests, as well as the ephods of Samuel and David, were of bad. It is made of linen and measures about ten centimeters wide and eight meters long (2.5 inches x 26 feet). However, I know if you are super interested, you will likely move along the post in a systematic fashion. God, the Father, takes the holy and righteous thoughts of Jesus and imputes them to us. What does it look like? Today, the ephod is not worn by the High Priest. 12 Fascinating Facts About the Ephod in the Bible, What is the spiritual meaning of the ephod today? Although David was not a priest, he was a man of God who sought to follow His will in all things. anthony fay obituary,
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