Arcana Coelestia # 9837
9837. 'And the girdle of his ephod, which is on it' means the outward bond that gathers things together. This is clear from the meaning of 'the girdle' as a common bond by which everything within is held in connection, dealt with above in 9828, thus a bond that gathers things together. The reason why an outward bond is meant is that 'the ephod' means the outermost part of the spiritual kingdom, 9824.
Exodus 28:4
4
These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, and his sons, that he may minister to me in the priest's office.
