The Ephod and the Skilled Craftsmanship Behind It

The ephod, an important item worn by the high priest in ancient Israel, was constructed by skilled artisans under the guidance of master craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab. These men were chosen for their expertise, and they were tasked with creating the intricate designs and items needed for the Tabernacle. The construction of the ephod and its components required not only skill but also wisdom, as indicated in the biblical account.

The term used to describe the craftsmen’s work is chashab, a Hebrew word with various meanings, including “to think, account, or reckon.” In this context, it refers to the ability to invent and design, as well as craft items with great skill and precision. The verb is used in Exodus 35:30-35 to describe the work of Bezalel and Oholiab, who were endowed with the “spirit (or perhaps knowledge) of God” and the wisdom to create works of art in gold, silver, copper, wood, stone, and fabric. They were not only creators but also teachers, passing on their knowledge to others involved in the work.

The work described as chashab in Exodus is not merely about manual labor; it involves a mental and creative process. It’s about inventing designs, such as the elaborate patterns woven into the Tabernacle’s curtains, the veils, and the ephod itself. The word chashab emphasizes the specialized knowledge required for these tasks, distinguishing them from more common forms of craftsmanship.

The work described as chashab in Exodus is not merely about manual labor; it involves a mental and creative process.

The word chashab is often linked to the idea of weaving, and some scholars suggest that its original meaning might have been related to spinning or weaving yarn. In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), it is rendered as “weaver,” which supports this idea. Yet, the connection to weaving is unique to Exodus, as the term does not appear in other books of the Bible in the same context.

The word chashab also appears in various forms in other biblical passages, such as cheshbon, which refers to accounting or calculation, and chishshabon, meaning device or invention. This association with measurement, reckoning, and calculation fits the nature of the ephod”s construction, which required precise planning and execution.

The concept of chashab is further enriched by connections to ancient Egyptian words, such as ḫsf (pronounced khesef), meaning “to spin yarn,” and ḥsb (pronounced heseb), meaning “to count or reckon” or “workman.” These terms highlight the complex nature of the work done by Bezalel and Oholiab. The idea of reckoning or calculating the materials needed, combined with the craft of spinning or weaving, suggests a thoughtful and deliberate approach to construction. I might go as far as to suggest that the Israelites might have borrowed this word and its meaning during their time in Egypt, where specialized craftsmanship was a significant part of daily life.

The ephod was not the only item that required the skilled work of chashab. Other items in the Tabernacle, such as the curtains, veil, band, and breastplate of judgment, also needed this level of craftsmanship. These items featured unique designs, such as cherubim and gold wires, that were not found elsewhere in the Tabernacle. The use of these intricate elements marked them as parts of the communication apparatus between God and the people of Israel, emphasizing their specialized nature.

In contrast, other garments and items, like the robes, girdles, and turbans for Aaron and his sons, were made using embroidery (raqam) or weaving (arag), techniques that didn’t involve gold or cherubim. These items were still important, but they didn’t need the same level of intricate design or craftsmanship.