Shoftim (Judges) — Perek 8

Gideon’s Ephod

Gideon builds an ephod; Israel begins to stray. He rejects kingship.

• Gideon refuses to be king, saying only Hashem shall rule.
• He requests gold earrings from the spoil to make an ephod.
• The ephod becomes a snare as Israel begins to worship it.
• Gideon dies at a good old age, and Israel returns to idolatry.