EPHOD (Hebr. Ἐρθάδι). — Among the sacred garments of Aaron are listed (Ex. 28:4) the ῥόξειν (“breastplate,” Vulg. rationale), and the e. (Vulg. superhumerale). “They shall make the e. of gold, violet, purple, scarlet, and twisted linen: embroidered work” (Ex. 28:6).
Neither the etymology of the word nor the form and manner of wearing the e. are certain. According to some, it consisted of two panels, one at the back and the other in front, held by shoulder straps, two strips hanging from the shoulders, front and back, and meeting beneath the armpits, where they were joined to the e. Some think it was a kind of apron (cf. I Reg. 2:28). The bōten called “of judgment,” because “from it the high priest drew the oracle in order to decide questions or causes of greater importance or difficulty” (Vaccari), was made, like the e., of gold (gold threads), violet, etc., and four rows of precious stones were set in it (Ex. 28:15–21); these stones were twelve, “engraved like a seal, each with its own name, for the twelve tribes.” “The breastplate shall be fastened by its rings to the rings of the e. with a violet cord, so that the breastplate may rest upon the band of the e. and not become detached from it.” In the breastplate, over his heart, Aaron carries the names of the children of Israel when he enters the holy place, as a perpetual memorial before the Lord. Within the breastplate were placed the ’ūrim and tummim, “lights” and “integrity,” or “lights” and “truth” (Vulg. doctrina et veritas), perhaps two stones of different color or shape, from which the divine response was obtained. Ex. 28:31 agg. also speaks of the “robe” of the e., provided with golden bells: “Aaron shall wear it when he ministers, so that its sound may be heard when he enters the holy place before the Lord and when he leaves it; and thus he shall not die.” It is to be imagined that this kind of garment was worn over the tunic and beneath the e., like a surplice (but without sleeves), being put on through an opening made in the upper part (A. Vaccari, La Sacra Bibbia tradotta... a cura del Pont. Ist. Bibl., I, Florence 1943, p. 243 agg.).
