Urim and Thummim
Urim and Thummim
In the Hebrew Bible, the Urim (אוּרִים "lights")[1] and the Thummim (תֻּמִּים "perfections")[2] are said to be a part of the breastplates of the Highpriest and attached to the ephod which was said to be a type of apron worn by the Jewish high priest. They are also supposedly connected with divination by casting lots, yet many scholars suspect that the phrase refers to a set of two objects used by the high priest to answer a question or reveal the will of God. Joseph Smith claimed he translated the Book of Abraham from Egyptian Papyri which supposedly says the prophet Abraham used a Urim and Thummim given to him in the city Ur to receive revelations from God.
There may have been actual objects called the Urim and Thummim but the constant unmooring of meaning and placing that meaning into objects has been evidence of the spirit of idolatry that has been pervasive amongst the covetous who do not desire or are unable to see spiritual things. Without sacrifice which includes charity, forgiveness and humility there will be no light and much darkness of the mind and heart.
The Phylactery or Tefillin that is used still today The so-called phylacteries[3] or Tefillin[4] are seen in the Hebrew[5] and Greek[6] texts. They have become a box placed on the forehead with a leather thong that is wrapped around the arm down to the hand. It often contains a scripture written on something. It has become a part of the rituals and ceremonies that may distract from real meditation and prayer.
This Tefillin was said to be a meditation tool to aid in relationships... according to Rabbi Goldie Milgram.
The Urim[1] and Thummim may be [2] first appear in Exodus 28:30, where they are named for inclusion on the breastplate to be worn by Aaron in the holy place. Other books, especially 1 Samuel, describe their uses.
Name and meaning Urim (אוּרִים) traditionally has been taken to derive from a root meaning lights; these derivations are reflected in the Neqqudot of the Masoretic Text.[3] In consequence, Urim and Thummim has traditionally been translated as "lights and perfections" (by Theodotion, for example), or, by taking the phrase allegorically, as meaning "revelation and truth", or "doctrine and truth" (it appears in this form in the Vulgate, in the writing of St. Jerome, and in the Hexapla).[4] The latter use was defended in modern Catholic interpretations by connecting Urim and Thummim from the roots ירה (to teach) and אׇמַן (be true).[2]
Thummim (תוּמִים) is widely considered to be derived from the consonantal root ת.מ.ם (t-m-m), meaning innocent,[1][4][3] Many scholars now believe that Urim (אוּרִים) simply derives from the Hebrew term אּרּרִים (Arrim), meaning "curses", and thus that Urim and Thummim essentially means "cursed or faultless", in reference to the deity's judgment of an accused person; in other words, Urim and Thummim were used to answer the question "innocent or guilty".[1][3]
Assyriologist William Muss-Arnolt connected the singular forms—ur and tumm—with the Babylonian terms ūrtu and tamītu, meaning "oracle" and "command", respectively. According to his theory the Hebrew words use a pluralis intensivus to enhance their apparent majesty, not to indicate the presence of more than one.[4] Along these lines the urim and thummim are hypothesized to derive from the Tablets of Destiny (worn by Marduk on his breast according to Babylonian religion).[2][a]
Appearances
Exodus 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim <0224> and the Thummim <08550>; 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.
Leviticus 8:8 And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim <0224> and the Thummim <08550>.
Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, [Let] thy Thummim <08550> and thy Urim <0224> [be] with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, [and with] whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
Ezra 2:63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim <0224> and with Thummim <08550>. Nehemiah 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 <0224> and Thummim <08550>.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 0224 אוּרִים ‘Uwriym [oo-reem’] plural of 0217 אוּר ‘uwr flame, light of fire, from 0215 אוֹר ‘owr to be or become light; n m; [BDB-22a] [{See TWOT on 158 @@ "158b" } AV-Urim 7; 7
- Urim= "lights"
- 1) stones kept in a pouch on the high-priest’s breastplate, used in determining God’s decision in certain questions and issues
- see Urim and Thummim
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 08550 תֻּמִים Tummiym [toom-meem’] pl. of 08537 תֹּם tom integrity, completeness from 08552 תָּמַם tamam to be complete, be finished; n pr m; [BDB-1070b] [{See TWOT on 2522 @@ "2522d" }] AV-Thummim 5; 5
- Thummim= "perfection"
- 1) stones provided for the means of achieving a sacred lot
- 1a) used with the Urim, the will of God was revealed
- see Urim and Thummim
- ↑ 5440 φυλακτήριον phulakterion [foo-lak-tay’-ree-on] neuter of a derivative of 5442; n n; AV-phylactery 1; 1
- 1) a fortified place provided with a garrison, a station for a guard or garrison
- 2) a preservative or safeguard, an amulet. The Jews used this word to describe small strips of parchment on which were written the following passages of the law of Moses, #Ex 13:1-10, 11-16; #De 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and which, enclosed in small cases, they were accustomed when engaged in prayer to wear fastened by a leather strap to the forehead and to the left arm over against the heart, in order that they might thus be solemnly reminded of the duty of keeping the commands of God in the head and in the heart, according to the directions given in #Ex 13:16, De 6:8, 11:18. These scrolls were thought to have the power, like amulets, to avert various evils and to drive away demons. The Pharisees were accustomed to widen, make broad, their phylacteries, that they might render them more conspicuous and show themselves to be more eager than the majority to be reminded of the law of God.
- ↑ 08605 תְּפִלָּה tëphillah [tef-il-law’] from 06419; n f; [BDB-813b] [{See TWOT on 1776 @@ "1776a" }] AV-prayer 77; 77
- 1) prayer
- 1a) prayer
- 1b) pray a prayer
- 1c) house of prayer
- 1d) hear prayer
- 1e) in Ps titles (of poetic or liturgical prayer)
- 1) prayer
- ↑ Deuteronomy 6:8(4-9), Deuteronomy 11:18(13-21) and Exodus 13:9(1-10), Exodus 11, Exodus 16.
- ↑ Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries <5440>, and enlarge the borders of their garments,