Urim and Thummim facts for kids
In the Hebrew Bible, the Urim (meaning "lights") and the Thummim (meaning "perfections" or "innocent") were special objects. They were part of the hoshen, a breastplate worn by the High Priest. This breastplate was attached to a special garment called the ephod.
Most experts believe the Urim and Thummim were two objects. The High Priest used them to ask questions and find out God's will. They are first mentioned in the Book of Exodus. There, it says they should be placed on the breastplate worn by Aaron in the holy place. Other parts of the Bible, like 1 Samuel, describe how they were used.
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What Urim and Thummim Mean
The word Urim (אוּרִים) is usually thought to come from a word meaning lights. This is why "Urim and Thummim" is often translated as "lights and perfections." Some also see it as meaning "revelation and truth."
The word Thummim (תוּמִים) likely comes from a root word meaning innocent. Many scholars now think that Urim might come from a word meaning "curses." If so, "Urim and Thummim" could mean "cursed or faultless." This suggests they were used to answer if someone was "innocent or guilty."
Some scholars connect these words to ancient Babylonian terms. They believe ur and tumm are similar to "oracle" and "command." They suggest the Urim and Thummim might be related to the Tablets of Destiny from Babylonian religion. These tablets were worn by the god Marduk on his chest. They were used when the fate of a king or nation was important.
How They Looked and Were Used
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Bible scholars believe 1 Samuel 14:41 helps us understand the Urim and Thummim. This passage describes how Saul tried to find a sinner by dividing people into groups. The Septuagint (an old Greek version of the Bible) suggests that Urim would point to Saul and Jonathan, while Thummim would point to the people. This shows that objects were used to make decisions.
The Bible says the Urim and Thummim were placed inside the sacred breastplate. This breastplate was worn by the Hebrew High Priest over the Ephod. When the Bible mentions using the Ephod to ask God for guidance, it usually means the Urim and Thummim were also involved.
Most questions asked using the Urim and Thummim could be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Scholars think the Urim and Thummim were small, flat objects. They were likely made of wood or bone. They were put into a pouch inside the breastplate. The High Priest would then choose one by touch, or perhaps throw them out. If "Urim" meant "guilty" and "Thummim" meant "innocent," then choosing one would give the answer.
According to ancient Jewish writings, to get an answer, a person would stand in front of the High Priest. They would ask their question simply and quietly. Some rabbis believed the Urim and Thummim were words written on the breastplate. Others thought that bright light would shine from certain jewels on the breastplate. Each jewel stood for a letter, and the lights would spell out the answer.
Interestingly, some ancient Arabs also had a similar way of seeking answers. They used two arrow shafts, one saying "command" and the other "prohibition." These were kept in a container in the Kaaba in Mecca. When someone needed to make a decision, a guardian would pull out an arrow. The word on it would show the god's will.
When They Were Used
The first time the Urim and Thummim are mentioned in the Bible is in the Book of Exodus. However, scholars believe the Book of Hosea, written earlier, also refers to them. This suggests they were an important part of Israelite religion around the mid-8th century BC.
Consulting the Urim and Thummim was allowed for important matters. This included deciding land borders or expanding Jerusalem or the Temple in Jerusalem. However, some ancient Jewish writers wondered why they were needed if a prophet was also present. They also said only very important people, like army generals or kings, could use them. And the questions had to be for the good of all the people.
For example, Joshua used sacred lots to find the sin of Achan. Later, Abiathar became a priest for David and used the Urim and Thummim to ask God questions for him.
Jewish writings generally agree that the Urim and Thummim stopped working when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians. After the Babylonian captivity ended, some people could not prove they were priests. They were told to wait until priests with Urim and Thummim were found again. This shows that the objects had been lost by then. Some scholars think their use declined even before the Babylonian conquest. This might have been because prophets became more influential.
Some Jewish thinkers believe the Urim and Thummim existed in the Second Temple period but no longer worked. Others believe they were completely gone.
Latter Day Saint Movement
Joseph Smith, who founded the Latter Day Saint movement, said he used special "interpreters" to translate the Book of Mormon. He described these as two stones joined together like large spectacles. Smith later called this object the Urim and Thummim.
In 1823, Smith said the angel Moroni told him about these "two stones in silver bows." The angel said God had prepared them to help translate the golden plates. The Urim and Thummim were found with the golden plates, a breastplate, and the Sword of Laban. Smith's mother described them as "two smooth three-cornered diamonds."
Smith also said he used the Urim and Thummim to receive other messages from God. These included parts of the Doctrine and Covenants and his own translation of the Bible. Latter Day Saints believe Smith's Urim and Thummim were similar to the ones in the Bible.
Smith also used the term "Urim and Thummim" to describe God's dwelling place. He also used it for the Earth in a future state and a white stone mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
See also
In Spanish: Urim y Tumim para niños
- Cleromancy: Using lots to tell the future
- Divination: Getting information using supernatural ways
- Dice: Objects used to make random choices
- Oracle: A person or object used to get information through prophecy
- Scrying: Getting supernatural knowledge by looking into an object
