אֵפֹד
Ephod, an Israelite
Definition
אֵפֹד (ʼÊphôd) is a proper noun referring to an Israelite individual, specifically the father of Hanniel, who was a leader of the tribe of Manasseh appointed to help divide the land of Canaan (Numbers 34:23). This name is a shortened form of the more common Hebrew word אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôd, H646), which typically refers to a priestly garment. As a personal name, it likely carried the same connotations as the garment, possibly implying a priestly or honored lineage. The single biblical occurrence identifies him solely in this genealogical and administrative role.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Numbers 34:23, where Ephod is listed as the father of Hanniel, a prince of the tribe of Manasseh. The context is purely genealogical and administrative, occurring in the list of leaders appointed by Moses to oversee the distribution of the Promised Land. There are no other usages or patterns, as it functions solely as a proper name for this individual.
Etymology
The name אֵפֹד (ʼÊphôd) is a shortened form of the noun אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôd, H646), meaning 'ephod,' a sacred priestly garment. It derives from a root possibly related to binding or girding. As a personal name, it directly borrows from the object, a common practice in Hebrew onomastics (name-giving), where names were often derived from objects, attributes, or theophoric elements.
Semantic Range
While the individual Ephod is not a major theological figure, his name connects him to the important priestly institution of Israel. His role as the father of a tribal leader involved in the land allotment (Numbers 34:23) subtly underscores the integration of tribal leadership with the broader covenant promise of land. Understanding the name's origin enriches the reading by hinting at a priestly connection within a secular leadership list, reflecting the interwoven sacred and societal structures of Israel.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. Naming a child after a significant religious object like the ephod may have indicated piety, a hoped-for destiny, or an actual familial connection to priestly duties. This differs from modern naming conventions, which are often less semantically loaded. His inclusion in a land-allotment list highlights the importance of genealogy and paternal lineage in establishing identity, authority, and inheritance rights.
אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôd, H646) — The full-form noun meaning the priestly garment or vestment, from which this proper name is derived.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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