אֵפוֹד
𐤀𐤐𐤅𐤃
ʼêphôwd
H646 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A distinctive priestly garment, especially associated with Israelite ritual practice; primarily denotes a ceremonial vestment worn by priests, particularly the high priest, as part of the sanctified attire. In extended contexts, refers to sacred objects or paraphernalia associated with divination, or even cultic images, especially in some later narratives. Thus, its semantic breadth encompasses both the physical priestly garment and, by metonymy or extension, certain ritual objects or artifacts utilized for seeking divine guidance.
Semantic Range
priestly garment, ceremonial vestment, high priest's apparel, object for oracular/divinatory practice, cultic image or idol
Root / Etymology
The precise root is uncertain; it is possibly of non-Hebrew (foreign) origin. The term appears independently in Hebrew, with no securely established Semitic cognates. Some have suggested a link to Egyptian or Akkadian dress terms, but this remains speculative. The lexical form is not transparently derived from a Hebrew verbal root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In early biblical texts (Exodus, Leviticus), the אֵפוֹד refers to a specialized, elaborate priestly garment, likely apron-like, worn by the high priest and other priests on ritual occasions; it features alongside the breastpiece and other luxurious vestments. In stories from the Deuteronomistic History (e.g., Judges, 1 Samuel), the term broadens in scope—associated both with objects used for divination (e.g., with the Urim and Thummim) and with cultic representations, sometimes even suggesting idol-like objects made of gold or other metals (Judg 8:27; 17:5). Its flexibility in meaning points to evolving ritual, religious, and social contexts across biblical periods. English translations often inadequately express this breadth, tending to render "ephod" as a fixed ceremonial garment, neglecting the term's use for cult objects or images. For post-exilic usage, the term remains primarily ceremonial, retaining significant ritualistic and symbolic importance but without idol connotation. Later translation traditions, including the KJV, retain "ephod" as loanword, which disguises nuances of both function and symbolism.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
rarely אֵפֹד; probably of foreign derivation; a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image; ephod.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אפד (ʾ-p-d) — binding, fastening, ceremonial vestment
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H646-02 |
הָ/אֵפֹ֑ד | haefod | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ephod | the priestly vestment | 32 |
H646-01 |
אֵפֹ֖ד | efod | HNcmsa |
ephod | priestly ceremonial vestment | 12 |
H646-03 |
לָ/אֵפֹ֖ד | laefod | HRd/Ncmsa |
for the ephod | for the priestly vestment | 3 |
H646-05 |
וְ/אֵפוֹד֙ | veefod | HC/Ncmsa |
and an ephod | priestly ceremonial vestment | 1 |
H646-04 |
לְ/אֵפ֗וֹד | leefod | HR/Ncmsa |
an ephod | priestly vestment | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
49 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H646-03 |
Exodus 25:7 | לָ/אֵפֹ֖ד | laefod | HRd/Ncmsa |
for the ephod | for the priestly vestment |
H646-05 |
Exodus 28:4 | וְ/אֵפוֹד֙ | veefod | HC/Ncmsa |
and an ephod | priestly ceremonial vestment |
H646-02 |
Exodus 28:6 | הָ/אֵפֹ֑ד | haefod | HTd/Ncmsa |
the ephod | the priestly vestment |
H646-02 |
Exodus 28:12 | הָֽ/אֵפֹ֔ד | haefod | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ephod | the priestly vestment |
H646-01 |
Exodus 28:15 | אֵפֹ֖ד | efod | HNcmsa |
of the ephod | priestly ceremonial vestment |
H646-02 |
Exodus 28:25 | הָ/אֵפֹ֖ד | haefod | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ephod | the priestly vestment |
H646-02 |
Exodus 28:26 | הָ/אֵפֹ֖ד | haefod | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ephod | the priestly vestment |
H646-02 |
Exodus 28:27 | הָ/אֵפ֤וֹד | haefod | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ephod | the priestly vestment |
H646-02 |
Exodus 28:27 | הָ/אֵפֽוֹד | haefod-2 | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ephod | the priestly vestment |
H646-02 |
Exodus 28:28 | הָ/אֵפֹד֙ | haefod | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the ephod | the priestly vestment |