The two shoulder-pieces thereof, Literally, "Two shoulder-pieces." There is no article, and no possessive pronoun. At the two edges thereof. Literally, "at its two ends." A union of the back and front flaps of the dress by a seam at the top of the shoulder seems to be intended. Female dresses were made in this way among the Greeks, but fastened with a brooch or buckle. read more
The curious girdle . Josephus says of the ephod, ζώνῃ περισφίγγεται βάμμασι διαπεποικιλμένῃ χρυσοῦ συνυφασμένου , "it is fastened with a girdle dyed of many hues, with gold interwoven in it." Hence its name, khesheb , which means properly "device" or "cunning work." Of the ephod . Rather "of its girding"— i.e. "wherewith it (the ephod) was to be girded." Shall be of the same . Compare above, Exodus 25:19 . The girdle was to be "of one piece" with the ephod, woven on to it... read more
(Compare Exodus 39:1-31.) Moses is now commanded to commit all that pertains to the offerings made to the Lord in the sanctuary to the exclusive charge of the members of a single family, who were to hold their office from generation to generation. In the patriarchal times, the external rites of worship had generally been conducted by the head of the tribe or family, in accordance with the principle involved in the dedication of the firstborn Exodus 13:2; Numbers 3:12-13. Moses, as the... read more
Exodus 28:6. They shall make the ephod of gold This was the outmost garment of the high-priest. Linen ephods were worn by the inferior priests; but this which the high-priest wore was called a golden ephod, because there was a great deal of gold woven into it. It was a short linen coat without sleeves, of various colours, which hung behind upon the back and shoulders, and came down before upon the breast. The shoulder pieces were buttoned together with two onyx-stones, set in gold, one on... read more
Click image for full-size versionClothing for the priests (28:1-43)All priests wore special clothing that gave them a dignity and honour suited to their office. The high priest’s clothing was especially striking, but more importantly its various pieces helped the people understand the sacredness of his functions before God (28:1-3).The most colourful piece of clothing worn by the high priest was the ephod (GNB: sacred vest), a short linen garment of the same material as the tabernacle curtains... read more
ephod . From Hebrew aphad, to bind on, because it held the breastplate in its place. See Exodus 28:28 . Worn by Aaron the priest, Samuel the prophet (1 Samuel 2:18 ), and David the king (2 Samuel 6:14 ), Christ combining all three offices. cunning work = work of a skilful weaver. read more
curious = embroidered. gold. Note the number five in these items. App-10 . read more
GARMENTS OF THE HIGH PRIEST"And bring near unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may... read more
THE EPHOD"And thou shalt make the ephod of gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman. It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends thereof, that it may be joined together. And the skillfully woven band, which is upon it, wherewith to gird it on, shall be like the work thereof and of the same piece; of gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 28:6
The Ephod , 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... read more