Postscript:
Lacy Barry sent me the definition of the word Ephod a bit after the fact. But we are blog, not paper. So there is no such thing as after the fact. There is only after the Ephod—which for Lacy, turned into Ephoe, to the delight of us all.


The Meaning of Ëphoe (by Lacy Barry):

A word derived from the Hebrew term ‘Ephod’, meaning a sacred vestment originally designed for the high priest (Ex 28:4 ff; 39:2 ff) and made "of gold, blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.” The vestment was held together by two shoulder-pieces and a skillfully woven band which served as a girdle for the ephod.

On the shoulder pieces were two onyx stones on which were engraved the names of the 12 tribes of Israel (meaning each race on the earth). Attached to the ephod by chains of pure gold was a breastplate containing 12 precious stones of the 12 tribes in four rows. Underneath the ephod was the blue robe of the ephod extending to the feet of the priest. The robe of the ephod was thus a garment comprising, in addition to the long robe proper, the ephod with its shoulder pieces and the breastplate of judgment.

The Ephod was worn when the priest went into the Holy Holies where the Lord dwelled in the Arc of the Covenant, to repent of the world's sins. A multitude of days were spent prior cleansing the mind, soul, and body before the ceremony  between God and Priest took place.

Ëphoe is the plural affiliation of the above definition.


Editor's notes:
When I looked up plural affiliations, I got Ephod with an s. But I'll do more digging.

For a more comprenhensive (or not, depending on how you feel about Wikipedia) definition of the word Ephod, go here.

And note that the word Ephod is not to be confused with either iPod or EphPod, which is apparently an iPod manager. Or the girdle shown on the Wikipedia page that looks rather, um, Old Testament.

And yes, they are still making Ephods. Although these have a certain  let's-all-drink-the-fruit-punch look, it's all relative. So if you need an Ephod for your next liturgical dance, try the Riversedge Dancewear company.

Jana Martin is The MOLI View's contributing editor for Fashion & Design.