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Ephod

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An ephod is a sacred vestment or ritual object worn by priests or used in inquiry.

Detailed Definition
The ephod appears in descriptions of priestly clothing and in accounts of seeking divine guidance, making it both garment and instrument of sacred mediation. Its embroidered textures invite visual poetry, while its ritual function raises questions about how humans seek answers from the unseen. A poem may use the ephod to suggest authority worn on the body, the weight of office, or divination shadowed by ambiguity.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The ephod glitters on the priest’s chest” uses the biblical garment to establish a ritual setting; A poet may make the ephod symbolize mediation between a troubled people and the divine; “He carries an ephod but no answer” creates irony by separating sacred clothing from true wisdom; The ephod can evoke memory, authority, and the burdens carried by religious leaders.
Additional Notes
An ephod is described in several Biblical contexts as a priestly garment, especially in passages concerning the high priest, but it can also denote an object connected with worship or seeking divine guidance. Gideon’s ephod in Judges 8 becomes a troubling symbol because it leads Israel into improper devotion. In poetry, the term may suggest priesthood, sacred mediation, ritual authority, or the danger of confusing religious objects with God.
Also Known As
Priestly Ephod
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