Exodus 28:6

The ephod of gold. The ephod was considered the most sacred part of the priestly vestments, and became the emblem of the priestly office (1 Samuel 2:18, 28; 14:3; 22:18). This was to hold the “breastplate,” the two onyx stones, and the Urim and the Thummim (Exodus 28:9, 30). It was a vest, or waistcoat, in two parts, one to cover the chest and the other the back, joined together by two “shoulder pieces” (verse 7) and at the waist by a band called “the curious [“skillfully woven,” RSV] girdle of the ephod” (verse 8), which was of one piece with the ephod. It passed around the body, holding the two parts of the ephod in place. The “gold” was in the shape of very fine thread or wire, sewn into the fabric after it had been woven, as was commonly done in Egypt (see Exodus 39:3). “Cunning work” (verse 6) refers to the work of ingenious and artistic craftsmen. The Israelites may have carried small hand looms with them from Egypt. The blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, gold, and the gems of the ephod gave it a variety and a beauty which made it the most glorious of all the priestly vestments. Variety has a charm of its own, and is a characteristic of the church in which “there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4).