Ephod (called in the LXX. epōmis; in Vulg. superhumerale), a principal part of the official dress of the Jewish High-priest (q.v.). The description of its form in Exodus, xxviii. 6 et seq., and xxxix. 2 et seq., is not quite clear, and the common notion that it consisted of two shoulder-pieces, one on the back and the other on the breast, and fastened together by onyx-stone brooches, is incorrect. It may be described as a vest covering the breast and waist, open in front, and continued behind over the back up to the neck, where it divided into two cape-like ends, which were extended to cover the shoulders both before and behind. These ends being fastened in front above the breast, and the vest below being also fastened by a band of one piece with it, kept the ephod firmly on the body, while the arms were left free. The material of the ephod was of gold thread, and blue, purple, scarlet, and white twined byssus yarn. On the top of each shoulder was placed an onyx stone. The stones were inclosed in 'ouches' of plaited gold, and were not used as brooches, but as significant ornaments, the names of the twelve tribes being engraved on them—six on each.
An essential part of the high-priest's ephod was a square bag made of the same materials, and serving as a receptacle for the Urim and Thummim (q.v.). It was a span long each way, and was placed over the middle of the front part of the ephod, and just above its waist-band, being suspended from the shoulder-parts of the ephod by rings and chains of gold. On its front side it had twelve precious stones, set in plaited gold, and placed in four rows, the name of one of the twelve tribes being engraved on each stone.—Ephods made of common byssus were worn in the time of Samuel and Saul by all priests. According to some scholars, the golden ephod of Gideon at Ophra (Judges, viii. 27) was a kind of image.