THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM

The Urim "yoo-riym" in Hebrew is "lights" and the Thummim "too-miym" meaning "perfections." What they were and how they were used specifically cannot be exactly defined. However, Bible verse does indicate the "Urim" and the "Thummim" were rare stones, explaining that they were two onyx stones positioned on the shoulder of the high priest's ephod (Exodus 28:9-12) - one was enscribed six tribes names and the other with the other six. As well as this each tribe had one stone on the breastplate.

Exodus 28:30 - “And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.”

Revealed in Numbers 27:21 is the Urim and it's purpose stating, “And [Joshua] shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.” Being the means by which The LORD'S will was sought out and discerned (in pagan circles the meaning is an "oracle"). In 1 Samuel 28:6 the unrighteousness of King Saul in seeking out God's word by use of the "Urim" to no good ends: “And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.”

While not specifically mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:36-42 the implication is apparant, “Saul asked counsel of God…. Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot…. And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son….”

David used the Ephod (priest's clothing) in asking of The LORD with reference to Saul and in doing so learned what God wanted him to know and what to do. (1 Samuel 23:9-12; 1 Samuel 30:7-8).

Moses is quoted in his blessing of the twelve tribes in speaking of the priestly tribe Levi, “Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;” (Deuteronomy 33:8).

After the exile in Babylon as to the controversy towards eating the most holy things, again the Urim/Thummim were used to seek God's will, Ezra 2:63 says (cf. Nehemiah 7:65): “And the Tirshatha [Governor] said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.”

What we can determine according to God's word is that the "Urim" and the "Thummim" were definately instruments in discovering God's will. In Acts 1:24-26; cf. Proverbs 16:33 the replacement of Judas Iscariot by Matthias the Urim/Thummim were used in the same manner in the casting of lots. Regarding their meaning, Urim "lights" and Thummim "perfections" they were used when additional spiriual light were needed and a more thorough (perfect) understanding of God's will, than otherwise.

In conclusion, there were many means by which God's will were sought and defined: visions, dreams, angelic visitations, miracles, prophets, prayer closets and the casting of lots, in seeking the understanding of God. These days the scriptures provide us with a complete set of instruction from Almighty God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”