linen ephod: This word comes from the Hebrew ’epod, often written as ephod. It is related to an Akkadian word, epattu, which means “a costly garment.” The ephod was often decorated with gold. People used garments like this to clothe statues of gods. Because priests and sometimes kings were seen as sacred persons (set apart for God), they wore garments of this type (see 1 Samuel 2:18, 28; 14:3; 22:18; 23:6, 9).