An ornamental part of the dress worn by the Hebrew priests. It was worn above the tunic and the robe, was without sleeves, and open below the arms on each side, consisting of two pieces, one of which covered the front of the body and the other the back, joined together on the shoulders by golden buckles set with gems, and reaching down to the middle of the thigh. A girdle was inwoven with it, by which it was fastened around the body, Exodus 28:6-12 . There were two kinds of ephod: one plain, of linen, for the priests, 1 Samuel 22:18; another embroidered, for the high priest. Young Samuel wore an ephod, though only a Levite and a child, 1 Samuel 2:18 . David, in transferring the ark to Jerusalem, was "girt with a linen ephod," 2 Samuel 6:14 . The Jews had a peculiar superstitious regard for this garment, and employed it in connection with idolatrous worship. Gideon's ephod became a snare to Israel; and Micah made one, that his idol might be duly worshipped, Judges 8:27; 17:5; 18:17 .