The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to skim over "Urim and Thummim," but Nehemiah is actually highlighting that until a priest with this divine guidance could be identified, even the most sacred temple food was off-limits. This underscores how crucial direct, clear direction from God was for the people to know how to proceed, even in matters of religious practice.
The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After painstakingly recording the genealogies of those who returned from exile, Nehemiah discovered that without a properly ordained priest to consult the Urim and Thummim, the sacred food set aside for the priests could not be distributed. This situation highlights the ongoing need for divine guidance and established priestly authority, even as the community rebuilds its life and worship.
Imagine being told you can't eat something sacred until a specific divine sign appears. What does this tell us about ancient Israel's practices?
In Nehemiah 7:65, the governor (often called the Tirshatha) declares that certain sacred foods are off-limits until a priest with Urim and Thummim can be found. This highlights a profound reliance on God's direct guidance, even for something as fundamental as participating in sacred meals. Urim and Thummim were not ordinary items; they were part of the priestly garments, used to discern God's will. Their presence signified that God's clear direction was available and necessary for sacred matters. Until such divine confirmation could be sought and received, the sacred food was to be withheld, emphasizing reverence and obedience.
The verse mentions 'until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.' But what happened when no such priest could be found?
The phrase 'until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise' implies that such a priest was not readily available at that moment in post-exilic Jerusalem. The Urim and Thummim were unique instruments used for discerning God's will, and their disappearance marked a significant shift. While the exact reasons are debated by scholars, it's often understood that the prophetic and direct revelatory line, including the use of Urim and Thummim, faded after the return from exile. This absence meant that God's people had to rely more heavily on the written Word and the wisdom God granted to leaders and elders, like Nehemiah, to navigate their lives and communal decisions.
Understand the original words
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tiršātāʾ · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the Tirshatha or the appointed leader of the returning exiles (in this context, Nehemiah), representing the Persian-sanctioned authority over the province of Yehud.
qōdeš · Hebrew Noun
Sacrificial portions or consecrated offerings designated for the priests, which were considered 'most holy' and strictly forbidden to anyone not authorized by the Law to consume.
ʾûrîm wətummîm · Hebrew Noun
Sacred objects used by the High Priest to discern the will of God, specifically regarding ambiguous or difficult decisions. They represent the direct, revelatory guidance of Yahweh for His people.
The Urim and Thummim were a special priestly artifact used to discern God's will, primarily within the context of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Their use is no longer documented after the Babylonian exile, suggesting they were lost or ceased to function with the destruction of the Temple. Nehemiah's instruction implies a longing for this divine guidance, even in its absence, highlighting a community deeply aware of their need for God's direction.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites, led by Moses, are freed from slavery in Egypt. Following this, the Tabernacle is constructed, and the divine protocols for worship, including the Urim and Thummim, are established.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Priesthood and Ark Installation
King David establishes a more organized system for worship, including priestly courses. The Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem, centralizing worship and the presence of God.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple. This event marks the end of an era, and the Urim and Thummim likely cease to be used as their function was tied to the Temple.
538 BC
Cyrus' Decree and First Return
Cyrus the Great allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Commission and Wall Reconstruction
Nehemiah is appointed governor of Judah by the Persian king Artaxerxes. He leads the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, facing significant opposition.
This passage explains the purpose of the Urim and Thummim, which were placed in the breastpiece of the high priest to reveal God's will, directly linking to the 'priest with Urim and Thummim' mentioned in Nehemiah.
Leviticus 22:2-3This scripture highlights the sanctity of 'most holy food' and the strict requirement for priests to be in a state of purity and divinely sanctioned authority before partaking, echoing the caution in Nehemiah.
1 Samuel 22:10-13This passage shows Ahimelech the priest consulting God with the ephod (which included the Urim and Thummim) for David, demonstrating the Urim and Thummim's role in seeking divine guidance for critical decisions.
Ezra 2:61-63This related account from the return from exile lists genealogies, including priests who could not prove their lineage and were therefore barred from priestly service, reflecting the importance of genealogical purity and divine authorization mentioned in Nehemiah.
cambridgeNehemiah 7:65: "And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim."
65 . the Tirshatha ] R.V. marg. Or, governor . a priest ] Literally ‘the priest.’ ‘With Urim and Thummim.’ LXX. ὁ ἱερεὺς φωτίσων . Vulg. ‘sacerdos doctus et eruditus.’
henryNehemiah 7:5-73: "And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,"
7:5-73 Nehemiah knew that the safety of a city, under God, depends more upon the inhabitants than upon its walls. Every good gift and every good work are from above. God gives knowledge, he gives grace; all is of him, and therefore all must…
It's easy to skim over "Urim and Thummim," but Nehemiah is actually highlighting that until a priest with this divine guidance could be identified, even the most sacred temple food was off-limits. This underscores how crucial direct, clear direction from God was for the people to know how to proceed, even in matters of religious practice.
After painstakingly recording the genealogies of those who returned from exile, Nehemiah discovered that without a properly ordained priest to consult the Urim and Thummim, the sacred food set aside for the priests could not be distributed. This situation highlights the ongoing need for divine guidance and established priestly authority, even as the community rebuilds its life and worship.
After painstakingly recording the genealogies of those who returned from exile, Nehemiah discovered that without a properly ordained priest to consult the Urim and Thummim, the sacred food set aside for the priests could not be distributed. This situation highlights the ongoing need for divine guidance and established priestly authority, even as the community rebuilds its life and worship.
"The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise." — It's easy to skim over "Urim and Thummim," but Nehemiah is actually highlighting that until a priest with this divine guidance could be identified, even the most sacred temple food was off-limits. Th…
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Last reviewed October 2026