Lexical Summary Urim: Urim Original Word: אוּרִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Urim Plur of 'uwr; lights; Urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate -- Urim. see HEBREW 'uwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originpl. of ur Definition part of the high priest's breastplate NASB Translation Urim (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֻרִים noun [masculine] plural region of light, East Isaiah 24:15 (so Ges MV Ew De Di RV; Lo Hi Kn Che read איים = coasts, so Cdd. ᵐ5; — ᵐ5 mostly omit ᵑ9 in doctrina, thinking of Urim, see BrMP 297). אוּרִים noun masculine Urim (plural intensive, mostly with article the Urim, and mostly joined with תֻּמִּים q. v.) תֻּמֶּיךָ וְאוּרֶיךָ לְאִישׁ הֲסִידֶךָ Deuteronomy 33:8 thy Thummim and thy Urim has the man of thy favour, i.e. the Levite tested at Massah & Meribah; הָאוּרִים וְהִתֻּמִּים were put into the חשֶׁן הִמִּשְׁמָּט of the high priest Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8 (P); this חשֶׁן (q. v.) was a little bag or pouch worn on breast of high, priest, to hold the Urim & Thummim; the name הַמִּשְׁמָּט ׳ח was given because of decisions made by that which was within it; thus, Eleazar was to inquire of ׳י for Joshua בְּמִשְׁמַּט הָאוּרִים Numbers 27:21 (P); Saul prayed הָבָה אוּרִים opposed to הבה תֻּמִּים, 1 Samuel 14:41 ᵐ5, so We Dr (ᵑ0 omits former, and reads תָּמִים in latter); ׳י did not answer Saul בָּאוּרִים or by dreams or prophets 1 Samuel 28:6; post-exilic Jews reserved difficult questions until there stood up a priest לְאוּרִים וּלְתֻמִּים Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65 (here alone without article) These passages give little information; ᵐ5 δήλωσις καὶ ἀλήθεια, ᵑ9 doctrina et veritas, Symm φωτισμοὶ καὶ τελεώτητες; JosAnt. iii. 8. 9 thinks of the twelve gems of face of bag as giving decision by shining; PhiloVit. Mos. iii thinks of two small images (׳א & ׳ת), probably embroidered in the cloth of the bag, like oracle-images of Egypt (Diod1,48, 75 AelianVar. Hist.14, 34); EwGeschichte iii, 309; Antiq. 295, of two stones of different colours for sacred lot, on this see Dr 1 Samuel 14:41 where ᵐ5 אוּרִים & תֻּמִּים as object of give, δος = הָבָה; compare הִמִּילוּ 1 Samuel 14:42, וַיִלָּכֵד 1 Samuel 14:41 (used of taking by lot 1 Samuel 10:20; Isaiah 7:14,16); see also We & RSOTJC Lect x. N 4; BährSymbolik, of one thing within bag, a sacred pledge to high priest of the enlightenment & perfection he would receive from ׳י when called to make sacred decisions; KaEx 544 sees the sacred pledge in the twelve sacred gems themselves, that stimulate priest to self-sacrifice & perfect sanctification. Topical Lexicon Definition and Setting Urim is the first element in the pair “Urim and Thummim,” divinely appointed instruments housed within the high-priestly breastpiece of judgment. While its precise physical form is not described, Urim served as a sacred lot by which the High Priest sought Yahweh’s verdict in matters of national importance. Biblical Occurrences • Exodus 28:30 establishes the institution: “Place the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that Aaron may always bear them on his heart before the LORD.” Role within the Priestly Breastpiece The breastpiece bore twelve gemstones engraved with the names of Israel’s tribes, symbolizing corporate representation before God. Urim (and Thummim) were placed inside or behind this ornament. When consulting Yahweh, the High Priest likely positioned himself before the sanctuary veil, bearing the ephod, to receive binary (yes/no) or selective answers, ensuring that national decisions aligned with covenant revelation. Means of Divine Revelation Scripture portrays Urim as: 1. A safeguarded medium—accessible only through the ordained High Priest. Historical Development • Wilderness and Conquest: Joshua’s campaigns relied on Urim-guided marching orders, underscoring the theocratic nature of Israel’s warfare. Theological Themes 1. Sovereignty: Urim affirms that governance belongs to God; human leaders must seek His will. Foreshadowing of Christ Jesus Christ embodies the realities prefigured in Urim: New Testament Perspective The post-Pentecost church is guided “by the Spirit” (Romans 8:14) and by Scripture. Casting lots in Acts 1 occurs before the Spirit’s descent; afterward, apostolic decisions rest on prophetic word and Spirit-led consensus, indicating that Urim’s function is now fulfilled through the indwelling Counselor. Lessons for Worship and Ministry Today • Dependence: Leaders must seek God’s direction rather than self-reliance. Urim thus stands as a historical witness to God’s readiness to guide His people and as a prophetic signpost directing faith toward the perfect Priest and Light, Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations בָּאוּרִ֖ים באורים הָאוּרִ֖ים הָאוּרִים֙ האורים וְאוּרֶ֖יךָ ואוריך לְאוּרִ֥ים לאורים bā’ūrîm bā·’ū·rîm bauRim hā’ūrîm hā·’ū·rîm hauRim lə’ūrîm lə·’ū·rîm leuRim veuReicha wə’ūreḵā wə·’ū·re·ḵāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 28:30 HEB: הַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט אֶת־ הָאוּרִים֙ וְאֶת־ הַתֻּמִּ֔ים NAS: of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, KJV: of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; INT: the breastpiece of judgment the Urim and the Thummim become Leviticus 8:8 Numbers 27:21 Deuteronomy 33:8 1 Samuel 28:6 Ezra 2:63 Nehemiah 7:65 7 Occurrences |
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