📖 Biblical Definition
The mysterious objects placed in the high priest's breastplate of judgment, by which God communicated specific decisions to Israel before the era of established prophets. Hebrew urim (lights) and thummim (perfections). Exodus 28:30: And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually. Their physical nature is not described in Scripture; tradition has suggested lots, precious stones, or other objects giving binary yes/no answers. Used to determine guilt (1 Sam 14:41), royal selection (1 Sam 10:20-22), and divine direction. Saul was refused an answer through them at the end (1 Sam 28:6). After the exile they ceased to function (Ezra 2:63; Neh 7:65), with restoration awaiting a future priestly age (some take this as the eschatological priesthood of the Messiah).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Priestly objects for divine guidance.
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The mysterious objects God commanded to be placed in the high priest's breastplate of judgment by which divine decisions could be inquired in matters affecting Israel; their precise nature is unknown but their use is biblically attested.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 28:30 — "And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD."
Numbers 27:21 — "He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD."
1 Samuel 28:6 — "And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Treated as magic dice or curiosity; missing the orderly priestly inquiry it embodies.
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Urim and Thummim were not magic. They were the appointed mode of priestly inquiry until prophets and the written Word displaced them. The lesson is that God provides means of guidance suited to His people's stage in revelation.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Urim — lights; Thummim — perfections.
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['Hebrew', 'H224', 'Urim', 'lights']
['Hebrew', 'H8550', 'Thummim', 'perfections']
Usage
"God gave Urim before He gave the prophets."
"Lights and perfections in the priestly breastplate."