Exodus Chapter 28 verse 6 Holy Bible

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 6. - They shall make the ephod The word ephod signifies etymologically any "vestment" or "garment;" but in its use it is confined to the special vestment here described, the great object of which was to be a receptacle for the "breast-plate." The ephod was a sort of jerkin or waistcoat, consisting of two pieces, one to cover the chest and the other the back, joined together probably by a seam, above the shoulders, and united at the waist by a band called "the curious girdle of the ephod." This band was of one piece with the ephod, being woven on either to the front or the back part; it held the other part in place, and was passed round the body and fastened either with a clasp, or with buttons, or strings. Of gold, of blue, of purple, etc. - i.e., "of the same materials as the curtains and veil of the sanctuary, with the addition of gold." The gold was probably in the shape of gold thread, or wire of extreme tenuity, and was introduced by the needle after the fabric bad been woven, as was commonly done in Egypt (Herod. 3:47; Wilkinson's Ancient Egyptians, vol. 3. p. 128: compare below, Exodus 39:3). The white, blue, purple, and scarlet threads were doubtless woven into a pattern of some kind; but it is impossible to say what the pattern was. In Egypt patterns were not much affected, the dress worn being commonly white, with a stripe sometimes at the edge; but the Semitic tribes, who bordered Egypt on the East, affected gay colours and. varied designs, if we may trust the Egyptian wall-paintings. With cunning work. Literally, "work of the skilled (workman)." Some of the Hebrews had evidently carried on the trade of weaving in Egypt, and had brought their looms with them. The Egyptian looms were hand-looms, and of no great size; they admitted of easy transport.

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1. THE EPHOD.(6-12) The ephod was, as already observed (Note on Exodus 28:4), a sort of jerkin or waistcoat. It was made in two pieces, a front piece and a back piece, which were joined together at the shoulders, apparently by a seam (Exodus 28:7). The pieces descended to the waist; and there one or other of them was expanded into a band, called "the curious girdle of the ephod," which being passed round the waist and fastened, kept both front and back pieces in place (Exodus 28:8). On either shoulder was an onyx stone set in gold (Exodus 28:9-11), and engraved with the names of six of the tribes.(6) With cunning work.--On this phrase, see Note on Exodus 26:1. . . .