an Ephod] Which was an habit onely to be used in divine worship, being a vestment that covered the shoulders, and compassed the brest, like a short strait coat without sleeves, put upmost upon the garments to keep them close. See Ex. 28. 4. 1 Samuel 2:18. and 2 Samuel 6:14. Judg. 17. 6. and put it in his city] i, e. Set it up in some eminent place, as a monument of the late victory, to stirre up himself and the people to thankfulnesse: wherein, though his intent were seemingly good; yet because it was not as God had commanded, but an humane invention, it became a snare to Gideon and his house. a whoring after it] After the death of Gideon abused it to idolatry, and the worship of Baal, v. 33. See Leviticus 17:7; Leviticus 20:5. became a snare] This sin of Gideon, in giving unto the people this occasion of idolatry, already too too prone unto it, brought ruine to his posterity, as appeareth in the following Chapter.