What were the Urim and Thummim?

Answer

The Urim (“lights”) and Thummim (“perfections”) were gemstones carried by the high priest of Israel on the ephod/priestly garments. They were used by the high priest to discern God’s will in certain situations. Some suggest that God would make the Urim and Thummim illuminate in different patterns to reveal His decision. Others suggest that the Urim and Thummim were stored in a pouch and engraved with symbols indicating yes/no and true/false.

It is uncertain whether the Urim and Thummim were on, by, or in the high priest’s ephod. The exact nature of the Urim and Thummim and how they were used remain unknown. The Bible does not provide sufficient information on this matter. References to the Urim and Thummim are scarce in the Bible. They are initially mentioned in the description of the breastplate of judgment (Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8). When Joshua took over leadership of Israel from Moses, he was to seek guidance from God using the Urim through Eleazar the high priest «And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation. », (Numbers 27:21). The Urim and Thummim are also mentioned in Moses’ final blessing to Levi «And of Levi he said, Let your Thummim and your Urim be with your godly one, Whom you tested at Massah, And with whom you contended at the waters of Meribah; », (Deuteronomy 33:8). The following Scriptures likely refer to the Urim and Thummim: Joshua 7:14-18; 1 Samuel 14:37-45; and 2 SaLuke 21:1.