BSN: ephod

An ephod was a garment worn by a priest. This priestly garment was a sleeveless linen apron worn while ministering before the Lord on behalf of Israel. It was worn over the priest’s other garments. Its specifications were given by Moses along with the other garments of the priests (Ex 28) when the tabernacle was being constructed in the wilderness.
Sewn into the front of the ephod were precious stones which represented the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus the priest the ephod symbolized that the priest was coming before the Lord on behalf of his kinsmen.