אוּרִים

From the study of 1 Samuel 28:6

Range of meaning

A priestly device for getting decisions from God, usually paired with tummim ('Thummim'). They were kept in the high priest's 'breastpiece of judgment' (Exod 28:30; Lev 8:8). Their form is unknown, most likely stones or lots. Ezra 2:63 and Neh 7:65 show they were no longer in use after the exile. The origin of the name is debated: possibly from 'or, 'light', or a play on 'arar, 'curse'. 'Urim and Thummim' may also simply mean 'the A-to-Z', as a word pair standing for completeness.

Against the English

Most English versions leave 'Urim' untranslated, so ordinary readers have no picture. The NLT's 'sacred lots' explains it but gives up the specific priestly connection. The Latin Vulgate here renders it 'priests', which identifies the channel by the people who operated it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Num 27:21; Deut 33:8; 1 Sam 14:41 (the Greek Septuagint keeps a longer text here: 'if the guilt is in me or Jonathan, give Urim; if in your people, give Thummim'). That suggests a binary lot. Josephus (Antiquities 3.214–218) gives a later, elaborate account of shining stones. See C. Van Dam, The Urim and Thummim (1997).

From the study of Exodus 28:30

Range of meaning

Its meaning is uncertain. The traditional link is with ’or, "light" (hence YLT's "Lights"). Some scholars derive it from ’arar, "to curse," which would give "guilty / no," the opposite of Thummim's "innocent / yes." Others note that Urim begins with aleph and Thummim with tav, the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and suggest the pair means "everything / A to Z." The plural form may express intensity or a category rather than literal numbers.

Against the English

Nearly all English versions leave the word untranslated as "Urim," which is honest about the uncertainty. YLT's "Lights" commits to one etymology.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 28:30; Lev 8:8; Num 27:21 (Urim alone); Deut 33:8; 1 Sam 28:6 (Saul gets no answer "by Urim"); Ezra 2:63 and Neh 7:65 (after the exile no priest has them). The longer Greek text of 1 Sam 14:41 reads: "If the guilt is in me or Jonathan my son, give Urim; if it is in your people Israel, give Thummim," which suggests a two-outcome lot. LXX Exodus renders the word dēlōsis, "manifestation, making clear." The Vulgate has doctrina, "teaching."

From the study of Ezra 2:63

Range of meaning

Sacred objects placed in the high priest's 'breastpiece of judgment' (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8) and used to get a decision from God (Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 28:6). The word origins are uncertain. 'Urim' may come from 'light' (or) or from 'curse' (arar). 'Thummim' comes from 'to be complete, whole, innocent' (tamam). Some think the two names begin with the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The longer Greek text of 1 Samuel 14:41 suggests they gave a choice between two outcomes, much like casting lots. How they actually worked is unknown.

Against the English

English versions leave the words untranslated, which is honest. BSB/ESV 'to consult' rightly shows that they were used to put questions to God. KJV 'with Urim and with Thummim' is closer to the Hebrew but unclear.

How it drifted

Readers sometimes picture glowing seer-stones or a device for translating or receiving revelation. These ideas come from later legend and modern religious movements, not the Hebrew Bible. In the Bible they deliver a decision. They do not give visions.

Used elsewhere in the period

Deuteronomy 33:8 links them to Levi. There is no clear record of their use after David's time. Josephus (Antiquities 3.214–218) says the high priest's stones used to shine to signal God's will and had stopped doing so long before his day. The Mishnah (Sotah 9:12) says Urim and Thummim ceased with the 'former prophets'. The Babylonian Talmud (Yoma 21b) lists them among five things the Second Temple lacked. The Greek of Ezra translates them as 'those who give light and those who are perfect', and the Vulgate as 'a priest learned and perfect' (doctus atque perfectus).