Ephod and Ariel

The tent or tabernacle ( 1M), the ark (W), the ephod (11i ), and the ariel ( 3'W) are among the more tantalizing problems of the Old Testament. Their solution is less difficult when it is recognized that they may be closely related institutions. Although they may not be identical in form or in all details of their function, each may be described as a palladium, as a portable instrument of the cult, and as important in divination techniques. This study supplements an earlier discussion of the ark and sacred tent.' Here we shall be primarily concerned with the ariel and ephod. It is not surprising that there should have been several different names for somewhat similar cultic objects, when one considers the many different designations for a temple or sanctuary. The most obvious parallel is to be found among the Arabs, where we find the terms qubba, markab, mahmal, cutfa, and bait used to indicate the palladium.2 It may be argued that these designations were not all used by the same group or groups of peoples at the same time, but this is also true of the names with which we are concerned. The tent or tabernacle was more native to the nomadic environment, while the ark belonged to the more settled communities. As we shall see, the ariel is in the Old Testament primarily associated with Transjordan.3 Although ark (11'X) and ephod are synonymous terms, the former is employed, at least by our Old Testament sources, more often as the designation of the palladium which came to be placed in the Jerusalem sanctuary, while the latter is used more widely of the palladia at Ophra, Nob, etc. And it is not to be assumed that the tent, ark, ariel, and ephod were all exactly identical in form, for we know that the ark and sacred tent were different in form, since one was a sacred