And they shall make the ephod
This was the outermost garment of, all, and was put over the
robe; it was a short garment, reaching to the loins, as Kimchi
F16; or to the buttocks, as Abarbinel
{q}; and not to the heels or feet, as Jarchi F18, and
Maimonides F19; for Josephus F20 says
it was but a cubit long, which was little more than half a yard;
he means that part of it which was distinct from the shoulder
pieces, and came down from thence: the hinder part of it covered
the back, and reached to the middle of the buttocks; and the
forepart covered the breast and belly, and with shoulder pieces
under the arm holes was buttoned with onyx stones upon the top of
the shoulders, and was girt about the breast with a curious
girdle: it had no sleeves, though Josephus F21 says
it had, as appears from the make of it; it was different from the
linen ephod worn by the common priests and others, and was a
symbol of the human nature of Christ, our great High Priest: it
was made of
gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined
linen, with
cunning work;
the stuff of which it was made was interwoven with threads of
gold, and threads of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and threads
of linen, wrought with divers figures in a curious manner, which
looked very beautiful; and was a fit emblem of the glory,
excellency, and purity of Christ's human nature; of the various
graces of the Spirit in it; of his heavenly original; of his
blood, sufferings, and death, and glorious exaltation; and of its
being a curious piece of workmanship wrought by the Lord himself,
( Hebrews
10:5 ) .
F16 Comment. in 1 Chron. 15. 27.
F17 Comment. in loc.
F18 Comment. in loc.
F19 Hilchot Cele Hamikdash, c. 9. sect. 9.
F20 Antiqu. l. 3. c. 7. sect. 5.
F21 Ib.