Discovery BoxJudges 8:27 
Context8:27 Gideon used all this to make 1 an ephod, 2 which he put in his hometown of Ophrah. All the Israelites 3 prostituted themselves to it by worshiping it 4 there. It became a snare to Gideon and his family.
Judges 2:17
Context2:17 But they did not obey 5 their leaders. Instead they prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped 6 them. They quickly turned aside from the path 7 their ancestors 8 had walked. Their ancestors had obeyed the Lord’s commands, but they did not. 9
1 tn Heb “made it into.”
2 sn In Exod 28:4-6 and several other texts an ephod is described as a priestly or cultic garment. In some cases an ephod is used to obtain a divine oracle (1 Sam 23:9; 30:7). Here the ephod is made of gold and is described as being quite heavy (70-75 lbs?). Some identify it as an idol, but it was more likely a cultic object fashioned in the form of a garment which was used for oracular purposes. For discussion of the ephod in the OT, see C. F. Burney, Judges, 236-43, and R. de Vaux, Ancient Israel, 349-52.
3 tn Heb “Israel” (a collective singular).
4 tn The words “by worshiping it” are supplied in the translation for clarity.
5 tn Or “did not listen to.”
6 tn Or “bowed before.”
7 tn Or “way [of life].”
8 tn Or “fathers.”
9 tn Heb “…walked, obeying the
