The Ephod and the Breastpiece of Judgment

THE GARMENT worn by the high priest represented the tribes of Israel, who were (symbolically) brought before the Lord when Aaron and his successors entered the Holy Place.We discuss the ephod, probably a tunic or robe worn on the upper body, the breastpiece of judgment that held the twelve gemstones inscribed with the names of the tribes of Israel, and the purpose of the Urim and Thummim — about which we know very little even today.We also discuss the altar, a wooden construction that allowed it to be moved from place to place, and compare it to the later stone structure at Shiloh and the permanent structure built by Solomon.