Judges 8:27
And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּעַשׂ֩
made
H6213
וַיַּעַשׂ֩
made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אוֹת֨וֹ
H853
אוֹת֨וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְאֵפ֗וֹד
an ephod
H646
לְאֵפ֗וֹד
an ephod
Strong's:
H646
Word #:
4 of 17
a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
אוֹת֤וֹ
H853
אוֹת֤וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְעִירוֹ֙
it in his city
H5892
בְעִירוֹ֙
it in his city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
7 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בְּעָפְרָ֔ה
even in Ophrah
H6084
בְּעָפְרָ֔ה
even in Ophrah
Strong's:
H6084
Word #:
8 of 17
ophrah, the name of an israelite and of two places in palestine
וַיִּזְנ֧וּ
went thither a whoring
H2181
וַיִּזְנ֧וּ
went thither a whoring
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
9 of 17
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
כָֽל
H3605
כָֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
and all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
and all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אַֽחֲרָ֖יו
after
H310
אַֽחֲרָ֖יו
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
וַיְהִ֛י
H1961
וַיְהִ֛י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Psalms 106:39Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.Judges 18:14Then answered the five men that went to spy out the country of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do.Judges 17:5And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.Deuteronomy 7:16And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.Judges 18:17And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.Exodus 23:33They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.Judges 6:24Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Historical Context
The Tabernacle and legitimate priesthood were at Shiloh during this period (Joshua 18:1; 1 Samuel 1:3). Gideon's establishment of an unauthorized worship site violated the centralization of worship commanded in Deuteronomy 12:5-14. This foreshadows the later division when Jeroboam set up golden calves at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-30), using similar logic—convenience over obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How do well-intentioned religious innovations become snares when they depart from Scripture?
- In what ways do you create 'unauthorized worship'—practices that feel spiritual but lack biblical warrant?
- What does this reveal about why God prescribes specific means of worship rather than leaving it to human creativity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Gideon made an ephod thereof—the ephod (אֵפוֹד) was normally the high priest's sacred garment (Exodus 28:6-14), associated with seeking divine guidance. Gideon's creation of an ephod in Ophrah, outside the divinely appointed Tabernacle at Shiloh, constituted unauthorized worship—competing with the legitimate priesthood. He placed it in his city, even in Ophrah, establishing a rival worship center.
All Israel went thither a whoring after it (וַיִּזְנוּ כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרָיו, vayiznu chol-yisra'el acharav)—the verb 'to go whoring' (זָנָה, zanah) is the consistent biblical metaphor for spiritual adultery. What Gideon intended as a memorial became an idol. Which thing became a snare (מוֹקֵשׁ, moqesh, 'trap' or 'bait-stick') unto Gideon, and to his house—the very object he created ensnared him. His son Abimelech's murderous reign (chapter 9) demonstrates this snare's deadly consequences. Good intentions cannot sanctify unauthorized worship; obedience to God's prescribed means is essential.