（出28）烏陵和土明 (Exodus 28) The Urim and Thummim

(Translated from Chinese by ChapGPT, edited by mijiale, 中文在后面）

(Revised in 3/2025, originally written in 2/2014, previously published in Huai En Quarterly)

Exodus 28:30 – “And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim…”

The Urim and Thummim (אֶת הָאוּרִים וְאֶת הַתֻּמִּים) were objects carried on the high priest’s chest. In the Old Testament, they were used to inquire of G-d, but the Bible does not explain them. These two Hebrew words appear on Yale University’s coat of arms, translated into Latin as Lux et Veritas (“Light and Truth”).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Yale_University

I have read some Jewish interpretations, such as those in the Talmud, Yoma 73, and I will briefly share insights based on different rabbinic opinions, selecting the interpretations I find most reasonable.

The following listed opinions have varying degrees of evidence, for example:

1. The Urim and Thummim were placed inside the folded breastplate of the priest. They were made by God Himself, and some believe they were a piece of parchment inscribed by Moses with the secret name of God.

• Proof: Unlike other priestly garments, the Bible does not describe how craftsmen were to make the Urim and Thummim using gold, silver, gems, linen, or wool. This suggests they were not crafted by artisans and were not made of gold or silver.

2. Based on Hebrew linguistics, “Urim” is the plural form of “light,” and “Thummim” means “complete” or “perfect.”

When a question was asked, light would shine forth from the divine name, illuminating certain Hebrew letters engraved on the breastplate’s stones. These illuminated letters would stand out in a vision and connect to form the needed answer (hence, they were called “complete” or “perfect”).

• Proof: The breastplate contained inscriptions since it had twelve gemstones engraved with the names of the twelve sons of Israel.

Some rabbis questioned whether these names included all 22 Hebrew letters. Another rabbi responded that the breastplate also contained the names of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as the phrase tribes of Yeshurun (a poetic name for Israel). These additional inscriptions ensured that all Hebrew letters were present.

(For brevity, I will omit proofs for the following points.)

3. Typically, the person inquiring was a leader, asking about military or national affairs.

4. The inquirer would ask the priest, and the priest would seek the answer from G-d’s divine glory.

5. The priest had to move his lips while inquiring, but only in an inaudible voice—similar to Hannah’s prayer.

6. Generally, one question was asked at a time, and only one answer was given.

7. A priest with the Holy Spirit’s presence could correctly assemble the illuminated letters to interpret the answer.

• Example: A rabbi noted that when the priest Eli saw the Urim highlight the letters ש,כ,ר,ה, he mistakenly thought Hannah was drunk (שכרה, Shikora = “drunk”).

• However, the correct assembly should have been כשרה (Keshara) = “worthy, acceptable”(for her prayer to be answered).

• This correct combination כשרה also carried an alternate meaning: “Like Sarah”, referring to how Sarah miraculously conceived after being barren, just as Hannah would, to give birth to a son for divine service.

8. The answer was always fulfilled.

• Proof: The Bible refers to the “judgment of the Urim” (Numbers 27:21), indicating that the outcome was unchangeable.

• Since the Urim was used to inquire about urgent, short-term matters, the outcome could not be altered by human efforts—unlike prophetic warnings, which often concern long-term future events waiting for people to repent.

• Talmudic question: If the Urim’s answer was certain, why did the Israelites fail twice when attacking the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20:18, 23, 27), even after consulting with the Urim and Thummim?

• Talmud’s answer: The Israelites only asked who should go first to battle—they did not specifically ask whether they would win or lose in the first two inquiries.

• As a result, the Urim only answered what was asked and did not reveal additional information about their defeat.

Relevant Links:

•Urim and Thummim – Sefaria

•Talmud, Yoma 73b – Sefaria

•Rabbi’s Misreading of Hannah – Adderabbi Blog

•Urim and Thummim – Wikipedia

•Shining Letters – Ulpanor

•Jewish Stack Exchange: Urim and Thummim

•Aish.com: Urim and Thummim

•TheTorah.com: The Urim VeTumim

•Chabad: What Were the Urim and Thummim?

•Spark of Jewish Experience – Choshen Breastplate