King David wore a linen ephod when he famously danced before the Lord when they carried the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David. So God, speaking through Moses, gave the people instructions on how they should live. Today, we dont have Urim and Thummim, but here is what we can learn from their use in the Old Testament: The ephod played an important role in the lives of both Gideon and David. I agree that more studies need to be done on the O.T. The same as the High Priests sash previously described. God desires His ministers to be even-tempered (i.e., cool-headed). The ephod was a sacred garment in the Old Testament. The High Priest had two tunics that he wore on the Day of Atonement. This belt was woven into the entire length of the ephods upper hem. The High Priests Day of Atonement garment. Notice that there are five components: Gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and linen. 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. It symbolized authority and power and signified the wearers status as a mediator between God and man. Verse 14 says he was wearing a linen ephod as he danced before the LORD. 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). This bespoke of custom-fitted, meticulously detailed, and immaculately clean garments. We can also replace Jesus Christ with our own self-righteousness. He also had a Shechemite concubine who bore him a son whom he named Abimelech, which means "my father is king" (Judges 8:31). 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. (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. This blog post will discuss 12 fascinating facts about the ephod. Why Did Jesus Give Believers the Beatitudes? A. This sparked an interest in re-reading the story of David and his conquests. When the High Priest put on these garments, he was putting on Christ! Indeed, no one is exactly certain just what an Ephod was, other than something liturgical. This blog post will discuss 12 fascinating facts about the ephod. The ephod was worn by David while dancing in the presence of the Ark (containing the stone tablets). He used to be only All God, but now He is also All man, making HIm the Perfect Man! When Jesus cried out FINISHED from the cross, He only said one word in Aramaic:KLH: Finished or fulfilled! The book of 1 Chronicles states that David was "clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the . Bluespeaks of Jesus Divinity as Very God having come down from Heaven the abode of God. That word literally means blue. Consequently, theblue thread is another picture of the God who came from Heaven, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose completed work is what holds us close to God our Fathers heart. These are the same people who Moses led out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. That is, you cannot lose your salvation because the work of the Last Adam was greater than the work of the First Adam! In addition to being a holy item, the ephod is a symbol of the people, as well as their sins. Leviticus 10:1-7) Furthermore, he could not go near any dead person, including his father and mother (Leviticus 21:11). (John 10:28,29). Because of His sacrifice, we can have eternal life. Ephesians 2:13-18. May God bless you abundantly! Wearing the Ephod demonstrated his humility and faith. 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. (Psalms 110:4) That is, Jesus was to become the eternal High Priest, our Great High Priest. [1][2], Even the ephods used for oracular purposes were not necessarily just pieces of cloth, as they are not described as being worn, but carried (though some translations render 1 Samuel 2:28 as wear an ephod rather than carry an ephod[4]); the Hebrew term used in these passages for carry is nasa, which specifically implies that the Ephod was carried either in the hand or on the shoulder. The wearer of such linen made from breathable flax fibers would not sweat. The Urim and Thummim were placed inside this pouch. Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. Birth mother is indicated and the birth order (Genesis 29:31-35. It was worn outside the robe and probably kept in place by a girdle and by shoulder pieces, from which hung the breast piece (or pouch) containing the sacred lots (divinatory objects), Urim and Thummim, whose precise function is now unknown. Curiosity got the best of me to research about the ephodHence, after much research, this super detailed blog post was birthed. ephod, also spelled Efod, part of the ceremonial dress of the high priest of ancient Israel described in the Old Testament (Ex. When a priest would inquire of the Lord about a specific matter, he would put his hand on the appropriate stone. This ephod might have been worn or set upon an altar. God made a way. There was onlyone time of the yearthat the High Priest wore the white garments. Over the ephod, the High Priest wore abreastplatewhich was a pouch about 22-cm (about 9 inches) square made of beautifully woven material. 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. Hallelujah! No demand made upon that grace can delete it. Mosess brother, Aaron, donned the ephod and other priestly garments as his formal clothing at the holy tabernacle, which was the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites to worship the Lord during their years in the wilderness. 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). The ephod had twelve different stones set in it. The ephod enabled him to do his job and to properly hear God. Lesson 4: A LINEN EPHOD "And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod" (2 Sam. In conclusion,in Jesus statement It is finished, we have a declaration of salvation that is both in a particular moment in time and eternal, Aorist and Present, linear and punctiliar. (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. (1 Corinthians 15:45-47) The Gospel of Mark Jesus the suffering servant. Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can approach Gods throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. And as were told in 1 John 5:14, This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.. 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. The High Priests garment was holy and sacred; therefore, not to be torn even for a relatives death. From my earlier description, it appears that the ephod was a very beautiful and intricate garment. The Hebrew word tekheletliterally means blue, with its root word meaning complete. When Jesus from the cross cried out finished, He said one Aramaic word: kulah, translated as Teleostei in Greek, with both words meaning finished (6). Thanks Lallie, thanks for stopping by! Jesus came from Heaven to become a red-blooded man. Romans 11:6)Hallelujah! (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. . The purpose of this study is to review in detail each of the three priestly garments of the Old Testament. P.S Here is the YouTube video that relates to this blog post: Wow! These pomegranates were actually hollow spheres of fabric in the shape of pomegranates. But Moses pleaded with God to forgive the people, and God relented. . The crafting of these priestly garments, along with other preparations for the elaborate details of the Lords tabernacle, takes up several chapter in Exodusfirst the descriptions of how they are to be made, then the description of the crafting itself. The explanation seems to be that the ephod of bad was simply a garment worn by any one engaged in a religious service, and it is used in 1Samuel 22:18 to describe the priests, because such service constituted their ordinary life. They were all united under one High Priest. He was not prepared, not clean and holy enough, to do the work of the Lord. 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. Only he can save us from our sins and give us eternal life. (Genesis 3:19). 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. The Present tense is linear: meaning something that continues on into the future and has ongoing results/implications. It is at this time that David said to the priest, Bring me the ephod. (See 1 Samuel 30:7). (John 19:23,24). Verse 6. Decorative pomegranates made of sky-blue, purple, and crimson-dyed wool were attached to the robes lower hem. (Hebrews 2:17;4:15) He does not simply understand what we feel, He feels what we feel! Scarlet,or red, is the last color mentioned. (Isaiah 53:5. Feel free to use the table of contents to see what topics Ill cover. The people of Israel worshipped the ephod as if it were a god. 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. That is, God the Father looks at Jesus to judge Christians. Similar material as the High Priests Turban previously described; however, it was donned by wrapping the head. He made a covenant with Moses, promising He would still be with the people in spite of their misdeeds as long as they obeyed God (Exodus 34:10-11). The second element of Jesus statement is equally important: the Present, ongoing, linearand will continue to be finishedcomponent of the perfect tense. 22:18). 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. As long as he wore the crown his thoughts were considered pure. The high priest used the ephod along with the breastplate and the Urim and Thummim as a means of divination. The stones represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and they were arranged in four rows of three stones each. The High Priest was revered as much or more than any king or royalty of the nations around Israel. 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. Furthermore, Hal believes that being a successful leader in the church or workplace is no substitute for failing to be a successful leader at home. In this manner, the crown, itself a thin plate, was kept tied and in place on the High Priests forehead. An ephod was a garment usually made of linen that covered the priest from the shoulder to the hip. You must stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting day and night for seven days and do what the Lord requires, so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded (Leviticus 8:34-35). 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. The Lord would then answer the question through the stone. Gideons ephod became a snare because it was an object of worship. In Hebrew, the word for red is Adam or Edom. Adam, one of the words for man and literally means red-blooded man. It is derived from the root word in Hebrew for blood: Dam. Redspeaks of Jesus shed blood, The One Who became the second and last Adam, or red or red-blooded man.. (Song of Songs 5:16) We have been brought by Jesus, our Great High Priest, to the place where we have enteredinto the presence of God the Father. Years later the prophet Samuel, who so pleased God especially in comparison to the showy, sinful sons of the prophet Eli, is described as wearing a linen ephod as he served the Lord as a boy (1 Samuel 2:18). 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. A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When Youre Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We dont need anything else when we have him. 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. The Talmud argues that each of the textures was combined in six threads with a seventh of gold leaf, making 28 threads to the texture in total. As an Image. The golden garments wereworn all yearin the rituals performed as the High Priest when he, in view of the people of Israel, enters the sanctuary interior in themorning and evening sacrifices. This ephod might have been worn or set upon an altar. (Deuteronomy 7:6. He remains faithful, He is the God who saves. But the ephod is not just mentioned in Exodus and Leviticus. 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. 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. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx . The other items are a breastpiece, robe, woven tunic, turban, and sash (Exodus 28:4). 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). Each garment was individually made from the finest white flax linen in Israel. 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 He is the only one who can give us true peace and satisfaction. 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). There appears to have been a strong religious and ceremonial implication to wearing an ephod, since the 85 priests at Nob are specifically identified as being the type of people who wore an ephod;[2] though the Masoretic text here describes them as being linen ephods (1 Samuel 22:18) the word linen is not present in the Septuagint version of the passage, nor is it present when the Septuagint describes David and Samuel as girding themselves with an ephod. What Do We Learn about Babylon in the Bible? The blue cord represents that Jesus mind is our mind (i.e., the mind of Christ). The Gospel of John Jesus the Son of God. This does not mean we are to sit around and do nothing all day. They show us that we can consult God on all of our decisions. 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. It is also the color ofgrace. Consequently, these clothes carried the richness and beauty that surpassed the royal robes of the mightiest kings of the surrounding empires. The actual blessing is done with both arms held horizontally in front, at shoulder level, with hands touching, to form the Hebrew letter shin. This stands for the Hebrew word for Shaddai, meaning Almighty [God]., (5)Wuests Word Studies From the Greek New Testament for the English Reader, Volume Three, Golden Nuggets, Kenneth S. Wuest, Reprinted 1999,ISBN-13:978-0802822802, (6) It is finished or completed is the translation of the Greek word Tetelestaiwhich only appears twice in the Bible (John 19:28,30). We dont need an ephod or any special objects in order to do this; all we need is the Holy Spirit. For Glory and Beauty, the garments bring praise to God and admiration from all that gaze upon them. Red Blood (1), the requirement for redemption that leads to righteousness. Is it an article of clothing, or a piece of jewelry? 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. The ephod is frequently mentioned in close connection with the sacred oracle. Here, the ephod is included among a litany of sacred garments Aaron is to wear. When we wear Jesus Christ, we are clothed in his righteousness and are forgiven of our sins. 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. 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 . It is made of linen and measures about ten centimeters wide and eight meters long (2.5 inches x 26 feet). The ephod is a very important symbol in the Bible. Only Jesus Christ is worthy of our worship and devotion. 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 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). God graciously communicated through these stones, leading His people. (1) Select the link to open another article in a new tab with additional information. 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). The ephods front and back were made to be as one garment by a sash or girdle, which was tied about the priests waist. Gideon was a judge in Israel and led the Israelites to victory against the Midianites. Doulos Hal's Topical Index, on The Tabernacle of Moses Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part VI: The Priestly Garments, Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part I: The Outer Court, Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part II: The Holy Place Golden Lampstand, Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part III: The Holy Place Table of Showbread, Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part IV: The Holy Place Golden Altar of Incense, Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part V: The Most Holy Place, Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part VI: The Priestly Garments, Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part VII: Our Great High Priest, Gods Heavenly Pattern for our Spiritual Transformation Part VIII: The Women of the Tabernacle, The Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel Introduction, The Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel The Burnt Offering, The Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel The Meal Offering, The Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel The Peace Offering, The Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel The Sin Offering, The Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel The Trespass Offering, The Fire Sacrifices and Offerings of Israel The Red Heifer Offering, http://www.templeinstitute.org/high-priest-garments-gallery.htm, http://www.ciu.edu/content/it-finished-look-greek, The Beautiful Attitudes Part IV: Blessed are those that Hunger and Thirst, Part X: The Lord of the Scroll When will the King of Kings Return? The most well-known understanding of it, that of a garment or item to be worn, comes in Exodus and Leviticus, where God describes for Moses exactly what preparations Aaron is to take for his priestly service, including how to wash himself and what to wear. God, the Father, takes the holy and righteous thoughts of Jesus and imputes them to us. The ephod supported the breastpiece of 12 precious stones. 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. These straps went behind, up, and slightly over the garments upper corners, over the priests shoulders. 1 Samuel 2:18. Those who spoke to God would use holy items, such as the ephod, to help them communicate with the Lord. (p) Lexic. The names on the breastplate were always close to Aarons heart, just as with Christ and His precious ones. , Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolishthe Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them butto fulfill them.. Pomegranates, by contrast, are somewhat easier to identify. I appreciate your kind sentiments. APUD or APDO Gr. God sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior and the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). 6:14) wore a simple ephod of linen, apparently during sacred service or at special celebrations (i Sam. The same as the High Priests Tunic previously described. Rather it was made into a weaving pattern of small boxes or cells, or diamond-shaped, giving it an appearance of a white on white honeycomb. God made a way. An ephod was a garment usually made of linen that covered the priest from the shoulder to the hip. His thoughts are for us. However, it is still a very important part of Jewish tradition and culture. (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! This indicates the ongoing nature of our salvation. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ephod&oldid=1142452419, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 13:06. 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 . The Ephod is a beautiful reminder of the history of the Jewish people and their faith. He told Moses, Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. The ephod iss mentioned only in the Old Testament. The ephod is a garment of great significance. Jesus tunic was made out of the finest linen and was completely seamless. Most likely some sort of bag or pouch that carried the Urim and Thummim, some sort of objects used for divination. 2 Timothy 1:9. (John 10:28,29) Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38,39). However . (Colossians 3:9,10. 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. The garment hung down in front and in the back, and its length extended all the way down to the priests feet. Ephod (Heb. 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. And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row. He is our ever-present help (See. Heather, such a well detailed out explanation about the Ephod. What does it look like? (Leviticus 21:10. 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.. 1 Corinthians 12:20-24). Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. The ephod is a garment of great significance. Hebrews 4:16) (5), The Breastplate was attached to the Ephod by two solid gold chains on each side that were braided and twisted for double strength, meaning we are securely attached to our Great High Priest. 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. The robe is put on from above, meaning not self-appointed but rather office and authority God appointed (John 19:11). We are also given the Holy Spirit, who helps us to grow in our relationship with God. 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). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes about the importance of clothing ourselves with Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:27). It is finished; an end is made of transgression by bringing in everlasting righteousness. [2] The verb --, "to gird," is used for an ephod, [3] implying that an ephod contains (or perhaps is) a belt or sash. 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, 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). An ephod was some sort of outer garment, probably apron-like, and was the typical attire of a priest. You might be surprised at how relevant the image of the ephod is today. It reminds us of our need to obey Gods laws and of His authority over us. As a garment the ephod is referred to in the priestly ordinances as a part of the official dress of the high priest. 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. 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 High Priest and Priests wore no shoes or sandals, meaning they would walk barefoot, which is the prerequisite for walking on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). He consecrated it to God, but after his death homage was paid to it as an idol. We cant be sure, but we do know that it was a significant part of the priests garments and it was worn out of obedience to God while they made intercession and heard from God. 12 Fascinating Facts About the Ephod in the Bible, What is the spiritual meaning of the ephod today?
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