February 03, 2007

Breadcrumb: Urim and Thummim?

As part of the description of the breastplate, Ex. 28:30 reads as follows in the NIV: "Also put Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece, so that they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD." (In the KJV: "the Urim and the Thummim" -- my emphasis)

What are these things, Urim and Thummim? There is no further description of them in this chapter. In Number 27, Joshua inquires of the Urim before the Lord when making decisions. In 1 Sam. 28, Saul tries to receive an answer from God via dreams, prophets, or the Urim. They appear a few other times in scripture (listed in Biblegateway.com). But we actually know almost nothing about them. Given the emphasis on the other aspects of Aaron's clothing, this mystery is all the more baffling.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

" At the right and left of the breastplate were two large stones of great brilliancy. These were known as the Urim and Thummim. By them the will of God was made known through the high priest. When questions were brought for decision before the Lord, a halo of light encircling the precious stone at the right was a token of the divine consent or approval, while a cloud shadowing the stone at the left was an evidence of denial or disapprobation." {PP 351.2}

It sure would be nice to have some definite answers concerning todays social and moral ills.

enjoy

Jim

Julie said...

James, what is "PP"? Could you provide a complete citation?

Julie

Anonymous said...

Patriarchs and Prophets (1890, Ellen G. White) - there's a web copy about.

Julie said...

I note that Ms. White does not give any sources for the claim you cited above. To me, an unverifiable claim is little better than no claim at all. How does she know what the Urim and Thummim were, to make this claim?

Cheers,
Julie

Unknown said...

"How does she know what the Urim and Thummim were, to make this claim?"

Julie whenever you would have the time to read Patriarchs and Prophets:Chap. 30 - The Tabernacle and Its Services// http://egwdatabase.whiteestate.org
/nxt/gateway.dll?f=
templates$fn=default.htm$vid=default

Or when you have the time to read the entire book. Then you would have to decide for yourself whether Ellen White is a prophet or not.

There have been Jewish individuals who have read the entire book and commented that Ellen White who had never been a part of the Jewish community, must have been inspired, having insights of Jewish sacred history known only by the Jews.

enjoy

Jim