in Jewish Antiquity, the designation of a part of the priestly habiliments. It was a short cloak covering the shoulders and breast. The ephod of the inferior priests was simply of linen; while that of the high priest was made of gold, of blue, of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen cunningly wrought. Though it probably consisted of one piece, woven throughout, it had a back part and a front part, united by shoulder-pieces. It had also a girdle; or rather it had strings at each side by which it was tied to the body. On each shoulder was an onyx stone, set in gold; and upon each stone were engraven six of the names of the children of Israel, according to the precedence of birth, to memorialize the Lord of the promises made to them (Exod. xxviii.). Josephus gives sleeves to the ephod (Antiq. iii. 7, 5). It may be considered as a substitute for the leopard-skin worn by the Egyptian high priests in their most sacred duties. The Egyptian ephod is, however, highly charged with all sorts of idolatrous figures and emblems, and even with scenes of human sacrifices.