The mysterious words urim and thummim are introduced in the scriptures for the first time as if they. The urim and thummim were the only prescribed method of divination authorized in the bible, and the high priest used them to obtain guidance from god. The first reference to urim and thummim in the bible is found in the book of exodus in connection to the high priests garments and you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the urim and the thummim, and they shall be over aarons heart when he goes in before the lord ch. The thummim consisted of twelve stones extraordinary in largeness and beauty, as described by josephus, in his book antiquity of the jews, book three, chapter seven. You shall put in the breastpiece of judgment the urim and the thummim, and they shall be over aarons heart when he goes in before the lord. Since the urim and thummim were kept in the high priestly breastpiece which was attached to the ephod, a simple reference to the ephod can indicate a reference to. Urim and thummim international standard bible encyclopaedia. What the urim and thummim were cannot be determined with any certainty. The term urim and thummim was applied to both the nephite interpreters that were recovered with the plates, and joseph smiths own seer stone. Since the urim and thummim were kept in the high priestly breastpiece which was attached to the ephod, a simple reference to the ephod can indicate a reference to the urim and thummim 1sam 23. Baker book house company, grand rapids, michigan usa. Urim and thummim the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Archaeological and historical evidence urim and thummim.
Urim and thummim definition and meaning bible dictionary. We find another direct reference to both the urim and the thummim in the book of ezra, describing the time after the destruction of the first temple and before the erection and completion of the second temple. The earliest reference to urim and thummim in the hebrew bible is that aaron carried them with him as high priest. When joshua succeeded moses as leader over israel, he was to receive answers from god by means of the urim through eleazar the high priest numbers 27. Each stone had the name of a tribe of israel engraved on it. Abraham had the urim and thummim by which he received revelations of. Heres probably the best word on the urim and thummim. Urim and thummim were two objects that the most important priest kept in a pocket on his ephod.
Learn the ancient languages of the original bible, the torah, and dive into the scriptures to learn the. Also the verb inquire of followed by the lord or god when no means of revelation is specified refers to a usage of the urim and thummim. Urim and thummim thompson chain reference bible concordance. The symbol of urim and thummim in the alchemist from. The priest could use the urim and thummin to determine gods will in a particular situation. On the high priests ephod an apronlike garment lay a breastpiece a pouch inlaid with 12 precious stones engraved with the names of the 12 tribes of israel that held the urim and thummim ex. He had a urim and thummim by which he was enabled to discern all things pertaining to the ark, and its pattern. Oct 20, 2015 the usage of the urim and thummim has proven baffling to scholars as the bible contains no description of their usage or even a description of the object itself. In the bible, the urim and thummim can only answer yes and no. Urim and thummim encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway.
Hoshen stones ring 12 bible tribes of israel jerusalem jewish sizeus11. Urim and thummim faussets bible dictionary bible dictionary. Many latter day saints believe that the urim and thummim of joseph smith and the book of mormon were the functional equivalent of the urim and thummim mentioned in the old testament. A very convenient summary is given by kirkpatrick in the first book of samuel, pp. The urim and thummim divination kit is the only functional system for using the urim and thummim in conjunction with the breastplate of judgment in existence today. Many scholars believe urim and thummim were originally stones that resided in the breastplate with other precious stones of the jewish high priest ceremonial clothing when he officiated in the tabernacle or temple. The church teaches that the book of mormon was translated by the gift and power of god using the urim and thummim. Joseph smith used it in translating the book of mormon and in obtaining other revelations. The priest used those objects to discover gods decision about a situation. Sometimes the mention of the ephod on which the breastpiece housing the urim and thummim were fastened includes a reference to the urim and thummim 1 sam 23. Bruce waltkes excellent book which i highly recommend, entitled, finding the will of god pp. The names of several of the jews who had returned from babylon were not found in the registry of priests, and we read in ezra 2.
Who created the urim and thummim mentioned in the scriptures. They are first mentioned in the description of the breastplate of judgment exodus 28. Isbe, originally published 1915 gives a good overview of the issues in its article on urim and thummim that relate to your four specific questions. The general consensus is that it is binary lots drawn from the breastplate to give yes or no answers see gesenius hebrewchaldee lexicon, urim and as far as blind. The international standard bible encyclopedia 1999. The the alchemist quotes below all refer to the symbol of urim and thummim. The idea that the book of mormon and other revelations by the urim and thummim were received as visions is consistent not only with witness accounts but also with the way the bible and book of mormon portray the revelation of new scripture to ancient seers such as isaiah, amos, micah, ezekiel, john, and lehi. Entry for urim and thummim thompson chain reference one of 6 bible concordances freely available, this timeless classic, with over 3,700 entries, is the concordance guide for serious students. Sep 03, 2018 in 1995, urim and thummim software appeared on the market based on a kabbalistic book of the same name and designed to help people find answers to questions and problems arising in their daily lives. Jan 02, 2020 references to the urim and thummim are rare in the bible. Book of mormontranslationurim and thummim fairmormon. This earth in its celestial condition will be a urim and thummim, and. In 1995, urim and thummim software appeared on the market based on a kabbalistic book of the same name and designed to help people find answers to questions and problems arising in. King james bible dictionary reference list thummim.
In the hebrew bible, the urim and the thummim are elements of the hoshen, the breastplate. The urim and thummim doctrines of salvation volume 3 chapter 11 coming forth of book of mormon. Though josephus sets the date for the obsolescence of the urim and thummim at 200 years before his time, in the days of john hyrcanus ant. The first reference to urim and thummim in the bible is the description in the book of exodus concerning the high priests vestments. What did the interpreters urim and thummim look like. The urim and thummim were a means of revelation entrusted to the high priest. The method by which this was done can be only a matter of mere conjecture. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one. Exodus is the first of the biblical passages to mention the ut, and they. Entry for urim and thummim faussets bible dictionary one of 28 bible dictionaries freely available, this book, with a clear and concise writing style, stands as one of the best dictionaries ever written. All we certainly know is that they were a certain divinelygiven means by which god imparted, through the high priest, direction and counsel to israel when these were needed. Nov 14, 2019 the biblical urum and thummim is a different instrument from the 2 crystals in silver bows found in the stone box and the seer stone found on willard chases property in 1823 i think it is. Nobody knows exactly what the ancient hebrew urim and thummim were.
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