The Urim and Thummim weren't just decorative; they were placed inside the breastpiece, suggesting they were a hidden, integral part of how the priest accessed God's guidance, akin to a sacred lot or symbolic objects for discerning divine will. They represented "lights and perfections," highlighting that God's wisdom and righteousness were directly accessible to His people through the high priest's role.
And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of the elaborate instructions for the high priest's sacred garments, specifically focusing on the breastplate. The text describes the breastplate as being adorned with precious stones representing the tribes of Israel, and this verse reveals it also housed the mysterious Urim and Thummim. These were essential for Aaron to consult God on behalf of the people and to bear their "judgment" or decisions before the Lord.
What were the Urim and Thummim? This verse places them right on the high priest's heart, but their exact nature remains one of Scripture's fascinating mysteries.
The Urim and Thummim are mentioned in Exodus 28:30 as being placed within the high priest's breastplate. Their exact physical form and function are not described in detail, leading to centuries of scholarly debate.
What We Know:
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More than just a priestly accessory, the breastplate with the Urim and Thummim was a profound symbol of responsibility. Aaron bore the 'judgment' of Israel.
The text emphasizes that Aaron was to bear 'the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.' This wasn't just about receiving answers; it was about carrying the weight of the nation's well-being and decisions.
The High Priest's Burden:
Understand the original words
Urim ve-Thummim · Hebrew Noun
Sacred objects used by the High Priest to discern the will of God; they represent the light of divine revelation and the perfection of God's truth.
This passage describes a direct use of the Urim (along with Thummim) where the priest casts lots to determine guilt or innocence, highlighting the Urim and Thummim's function in discerning God's will and judgment.
Numbers 27:21Here, Joshua is instructed to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will inquire of the LORD for him using the Urim, showing how the Urim and Thummim were a means for divine guidance and decision-making for Israel's leadership.
Deuteronomy 33:8This verse specifically mentions the Urim and Thummim as belonging to the tribe of Levi, associating them with the priestly function and their role in bringing God's judgment and light to the people.
1 Samuel 28:6In this account, Saul's inability to receive an answer from the LORD 'by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets' emphasizes the Urim and Thummim as a primary channel through which God communicated His will to His people.
Ezra 2:63The mention that the returning exiles could not prove their priestly lineage 'till there arose a priest with Urim and Thummim' indicates the significant role these held in confirming identity and divine authority, and their eventual loss implies their importance.
clarkeExodus 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."
Thou shalt put in the breastplate - the Urim and the Thummim - What these were has, I believe, never yet been discovered. 1. They are nowhere described. 2. There is no direction given to Moses or any other how to make them. 3. What…
calvinExodus 28:1-43: "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."
And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even. Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
Tu vero accerse ad to Aharonem fratre…
The Urim and Thummim weren't just decorative; they were placed inside the breastpiece, suggesting they were a hidden, integral part of how the priest accessed God's guidance, akin to a sacred lot or symbolic objects for discerning divine will. They represented "lights and perfections," highlighting that God's wisdom and righteousness were directly accessible to His people through the high priest's role.
This verse is part of the elaborate instructions for the high priest's sacred garments, specifically focusing on the breastplate. The text describes the breastplate as being adorned with precious stones representing the tribes of Israel, and this verse reveals it also housed the mysterious Urim and Thummim. These were essential for Aaron to consult God on behalf of the people and to bear their "judgment" or decisions before the Lord.
This verse is part of the elaborate instructions for the high priest's sacred garments, specifically focusing on the breastplate. The text describes the breastplate as being adorned with precious stones representing the tribes of Israel, and this verse reveals it also housed the mysterious Urim and Thummim. These were essential for Aaron to consult God on behalf of the people and to bear their "judgment" or decisions before the Lord.
"And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regular…" — The Urim and Thummim weren't just decorative; they were placed inside the breastpiece, suggesting they were a hidden, integral part of how the priest accessed God's guidance, akin to a sacred lot o…
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Last reviewed October 2026
