אֵפ֖וֹד

𐤀𐤐𐤅𐤃

efod

ephod

rarely אֵפֹד; probably of foreign derivation; a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image; ephod.

H646

Hosea 3:4 · Word #16

Lexicon H646

Lemmaאֵפוֹד
Lemma (Paleo)𐤀𐤐𐤅𐤃
Transliterationʼêphôwd
Strong'sH646
In-contextephod

Morphology HNcmsa All morphology codes

Part of Speech N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea
Subtype c — Common — Common noun
Gender m — Masculine — Masculine
Number s — Singular — Singular
State a — Absolute — The noun stands independently

SIBI-P1 H646-01

a priestly girding-vest

Rootאפד (ʾ-p-d)
Core Meaningsto gird, bind on, fasten, wrap around
Semantic Rangea girded garment; the high priest’s sacred vest with shoulder pieces; a priestly apron-like vestment; in some contexts, a cultic object associated with inquiry; occasionally an object connected with idolatrous worship.
Conceptual SignificanceThe ephod is central to Israel’s priestly ministry, especially in connection with the high priest and the discernment of divine will (often linked with the Urim and Thummim). It signifies authorized mediation before יהוה, yet its later misuse in idolatrous settings highlights the tension between legitimate and illegitimate worship.
Morphological NotesCommon masculine singular noun in the absolute state (HNcmsa); functions as a concrete garment term.
Rendering RationaleThe noun derives from the root אפד, associated with girding or fastening on a garment. Rendering it as "priestly girding-vest" preserves the core idea of something bound or fastened around the body while reflecting its function in priestly service. The morphology (HNcmsa) indicates a common masculine singular noun in the absolute state, which is reflected by the singular form without possessive suffix.

AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)

Words from Root אפד (to gird, bind on, fasten, wrap around)

SILEX Code Transliteration SIBI-P1
H642-01 afudato his girded-ephod
H646-02 haefod the priestly girded-vestment
H646-03 laefod for the girded-vestment

Word Usage (49 occurrences of H646)

Location Form Transliteration Meaning
Exodus 25:7 לָ/אֵפֹ֖ד laefod for the ephod
Exodus 28:4 וְ/אֵפוֹד֙ veefod and an ephod
Exodus 28:6 הָ/אֵפֹ֑ד haefod the ephod