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Bible Dictionaries
Urim and Thummim
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or The signification of these Hebrew words is 'lights' and 'perfections.' They were distinct from the gems on the breastplate, for Moses put the breastplate upon Aaron, "also he put in [or 'on'] the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim." Leviticus 8:8 . It is clear that God answered questions by means of the Urim and Thummim. Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8; 1 Samuel 28:6 . On the return of the Jews from Babylon some, who claimed to be priests but could not show their genealogy, were not allowed to eat of the holy things until there should stand up a priest with Urim and Thummim, and an answer be obtained from God. This great privilege has never yet been restored. Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65 .
It may be remarked that there is no record as to the construction of the Urim and Thummim, nor of their form. The first mention of them is in Exodus 28:30; "Thou shalt put in [or 'on'] the breastplate of judgement the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart when he goeth in before the Lord," as if God had given them to Moses, and had merely to tell him what to do with them — if indeed they were material things; but what they were, and how the answers were given, is not revealed. When Israel is restored, Christ Himself will take the place of the ancient Urim and Thummim.
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'Urim and Thummim'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/u/urim-and-thummim.html. 1897.
