Short answer, they are for casting lots. Urim = yes, Thummim = no, the twelve stones = answers 1-12. Like the ref flipping the coin before the game. And barefoot, absolutely.
"It is not evident why the Ouija board is any more dangerous than tarot cards, which many people who disapprove of Ouija find more "safe." Nor is it clear what separates the Ouija board from things like the "urim and thummin," the divination devices used by the priests of Jehovah) specifically at his command, in ancient Israel. The urim and thummin were made from precious stones that would act in conjunction with the Ark of the Covenant to transmit messages from God to the priests. This activity was in fact what the religious practice of biblical Israel centered upon."
"The Urim and Thummim (Hebrew: אוּרִים ʾŪrīm, "lights" and תֻּמִּים Tummīm, "perfections") are elements of the hoshen, the breastplate worn by the High Priest attached to the ephod. They are connected with cleromancy (divination by casting lots). Most 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."
ok, so what the hell is going on with this urim and thummin. Sounds like it does something.. but how does it work, and why does it work. It's like a couple stones that have engravings on them. Let's see a priest guy use these things, right.
Here.. I'll input this stuff above, plus upload that Raiders priest pic, in google gemini AI, and see what it says.
====================================
The Urim and Thummim (Hebrew for "lights" and "perfections") were a unique means of divine communication used by the High Priest of ancient Israel to discern God's will on matters of national importance.
They were not the 12 visible precious stones on the High Priest's breastplate, but were instead objects that were placed inside the breastplate, which was therefore called the "breastpiece of judgment" (hoshen mishpat), as you can see illustrated on the priest's garment in your image (Exodus 28:30).
How the Urim and Thummim Worked (Theories)
The Bible provides extensive instructions on the priestly garments, but it is surprisingly silent on the nature or exact operation of the Urim and Thummim, leading to several theories among scholars and ancient commentators:
Cleromancy (Casting Lots): Many modern scholars believe they functioned as a form of sacred lot-casting, a method of divination often used for binary questions. The Urim and Thummim may have been two stones, one signifying a positive answer (Thummim, "perfection" or "innocence") and the other a negative one (Urim, possibly meaning "curse" or used to identify "guilt"). The priest would ask a question and draw one of the two objects from the pouch to get a "yes" or "no" answer.
Divine Light and Letters: Classical Jewish tradition, following the meaning of "Urim" as "lights," suggested that the stones on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes (and collectively contained all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet), would miraculously light up. The High Priest would then prophetically interpret the illuminated letters to form God's answer.
Prophetic Inspiration: Some suggest the High Priest would simply stand before the Ark of the Covenant, and while wearing the objects, God would give him a direct prophetic inspiration or vision.
In most biblical accounts, the answers received were suitable for simple "yes" or "no" questions. The function of the Urim and Thummim effectively ceased after the destruction of the First Temple (post-Babylonian exile), as they were no longer available.
Biblical Example of Use
One of the clearest biblical examples of their use is found when King Saul needed to determine who in his army had sinned by breaking a fast, causing a disruption in their communication with God (1 Samuel 14:41–42, based on the Septuagint translation):
Saul inquires of the Lord but receives no answer, indicating that someone had sinned.
He appeals to God to use the oracle to identify the party: "O LORD, God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim; but if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim."
The lot falls to Saul and his son Jonathan, clearing the rest of the people.
Saul then uses the oracle again to distinguish between himself and Jonathan: "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son."
Jonathan is identified as the guilty party, having unknowingly broken the fast.
This passage is key to the interpretation that the Urim and Thummim were a pair of objects used for a sacred process of lot-casting to decide a matter of judgment.
These 12 stones in the breast plate.. how did whoever, decide, which gem type would symbolize which tribe?
That's an excellent question that goes right to the heart of the symbolism in this artifact!The Hebrew Bible gives very detailed instructions on the breastplate (Choshen Mishpat) in Exodus 28, listing the 12 stones and stating that each was to be "engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel" (Exodus 28:21). However, the Bible itself does not explicitly list which specific gemstone was matched with which specific tribe.The system for matching each of the 12 stones (Sardius, Topaz, Carbuncle, Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond, Jacinth, Agate, Amethyst, Beryl, Onyx, and Jasper) to a tribe has been the subject of debate and interpretation for centuries.📜 Traditional and Rabbinic InterpretationsOver time, various traditions developed to establish a link between a stone and a tribe. These associations were often based on:Birth Order: The most common and straightforward system, followed by some Jewish commentators like Josephus, arranges the tribes in the order of their birth, from Reuben (firstborn) to Benjamin (lastborn). The stones were arranged in four rows of three.The Tribal Standard/Banner Colors: According to a rabbinic tradition, each of the twelve tribes carried a flag or banner of a specific color when they marched in the wilderness. The color of the stone was meant to match the color of that tribe's banner.The Blessing of Jacob/Moses: The characteristics of each tribe, as described in the blessings given by Jacob (Genesis 49) or Moses (Deuteronomy 33), are often matched to the color or characteristic of a specific stone.Tribe (Birth Order)Stone (Exodus 28:17-20 - English Translation Varies)Traditional Rationale (Example Rashi/Midrash)ReubenSardius (Red Carnelian/Ruby)Red, symbolizing the Odem (red) of the mandrakes and possibly his transgression (Genesis 35:22).SimeonTopaz (Peridot/Topaz)Green, sometimes linked to the pale face of shame or an attribute of the tribe.LeviCarbuncle (Emerald/Carbuncle)Sparkling, symbolizing the brilliance of the Torah and the tribe's devotion to God's service.JudahEmerald (Turquoise/Carbuncle)Green, symbolizing the tribe's royalty and great strength.IssacharSapphire (Lapis Lazuli/Sapphire)Blue, symbolizing the heavenly color of the Tablets of the Law, as the tribe was renowned for Torah scholarship.ZebulunDiamond (Quartz/Pearl)White, representing the whiteness of the sea (where the tribe's territory lay) or the white of silver coins from commerce.DanJacinth (Orange Zircon/Hyacinth)Often a mixed color, relating to his role as a judge or sometimes a less-than-perfect attribute.NaphtaliAgate (Agate)Varied colors, often signifying his poetic, swift nature.GadAmethyst (Amethyst)Purple, symbolizing the warrior's blood or strength in battle.AsherBeryl (Aquamarine/Chrysolite)Golden-green, symbolizing the richness of olive oil (Deuteronomy 33:24) in his territory.JosephOnyx (Onyx)Black/dark, symbolizing his suffering or a protective quality.BenjaminJasper (Jasper)Multi-colored, symbolizing his young age and his composite strength.The Core Purpose: RemembranceRegardless of the exact pairings, the primary reason for these gems was explicitly stated: to be a "remembrance before the Lord" (Exodus 28:29). The High Priest carried the names of the entire nation over his heart when he entered the sanctuary, symbolically representing and interceding for all the people of Israel before God.Would you like to know more about the modern identity of any of these specific ancient gemstones, as their names often translate to different minerals today?
How does this priest guy use that breast plate with the gems?
That's the most fascinating part of the breastplate! It wasn't just a decoration; it was central to the High Priest's role as a mediator between God and the people.
The breastplate, referred to as the "Breastplate of Judgment" (Choshen Mishpat in Hebrew), had two main functions related to the stones and what was inside it:
Representing and Interceding for the People (The Gems)
The primary symbolic function of the twelve engraved stones was one of remembrance and representation.
A Continual Memorial: The Bible states that the High Priest was to "bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually" (Exodus 28:29).
The High Priest's Role: By wearing the names of all twelve tribes over his heart, the High Priest symbolically carried the entire nation of Israel into God's presence. He was the one interceding and standing in for the whole community. The twelve stones on the breastplate, along with the two inscribed onyx stones on the shoulder-pieces of the Ephod (the garment underneath), ensured the people were always "on his shoulders" (for strength) and "over his heart" (for compassion/prayer) before God.
Divine Guidance and Decision-Making (The Urim and Thummim)
The functional and most mysterious use of the breastplate involved two sacred objects placed inside it, called the Urim and Thummim.
The Objects: The instruction was to "put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim... that Aaron may bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually" (Exodus 28:30).
Urim is generally translated as "Lights" or "Illuminations."
Thummim is generally translated as "Perfections" or "Truth."
The exact nature of the Urim and Thummim is unknown—they may have been stones, lots, or other small objects.
The Function: These were used as a means of divine communication and to obtain a clear, authoritative answer from God regarding critical national questions, such as:
Should we go out to battle?
Which path should a leader take?
Establishing the guilt or innocence of a party.
How the Gems Were Thought to Work with Urim and Thummim
According to classical rabbinic tradition, the gems themselves were involved in the process of seeking divine guidance:
The names of the 12 tribes were engraved on the 12 stones. The stones, along with the names of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and the words "tribes of Jeshurun," contained all 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
When a serious question was posed to the High Priest, he would stand before the Ark of the Covenant. The Urim and Thummim (possibly an inscription of God's name inside the breastplate) would cause certain letters on the twelve stones to light up or stand out in a specific sequence.
The High Priest would then prophetically read and arrange the sequence of shining letters to form the word or phrase that answered the question, which is why it was called the Breastplate of Judgment/Decision.
This entire ritual gave the breastplate its immense sacred and national importance.
Would you be interested in seeing some of the specific Old Testament stories where the High Priest consulted the Urim and Thummim for a decision?
I found this a while back and thought it was pretty interesting. I have no way to verify if true, could be hogwash. But with a British Voice, and minimalist hype music in the background, it’s gotta be true. Right?
Short answer, they are for casting lots. Urim = yes, Thummim = no, the twelve stones = answers 1-12. Like the ref flipping the coin before the game. And barefoot, absolutely.
Up to page 188 of Clock shavings pdf.
"It is not evident why the Ouija board is any more dangerous than tarot cards, which many people who disapprove of Ouija find more "safe." Nor is it clear what separates the Ouija board from things like the "urim and thummin," the divination devices used by the priests of Jehovah) specifically at his command, in ancient Israel. The urim and thummin were made from precious stones that would act in conjunction with the Ark of the Covenant to transmit messages from God to the priests. This activity was in fact what the religious practice of biblical Israel centered upon."
https://www.occult.live/index.php/Urim_and_Thummim
"The Urim and Thummim (Hebrew: אוּרִים ʾŪrīm, "lights" and תֻּמִּים Tummīm, "perfections") are elements of the hoshen, the breastplate worn by the High Priest attached to the ephod. They are connected with cleromancy (divination by casting lots). Most 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."
ok, so what the hell is going on with this urim and thummin. Sounds like it does something.. but how does it work, and why does it work. It's like a couple stones that have engravings on them. Let's see a priest guy use these things, right.
Here.. I'll input this stuff above, plus upload that Raiders priest pic, in google gemini AI, and see what it says.
====================================
The Urim and Thummim (Hebrew for "lights" and "perfections") were a unique means of divine communication used by the High Priest of ancient Israel to discern God's will on matters of national importance.
They were not the 12 visible precious stones on the High Priest's breastplate, but were instead objects that were placed inside the breastplate, which was therefore called the "breastpiece of judgment" (hoshen mishpat), as you can see illustrated on the priest's garment in your image (Exodus 28:30).
How the Urim and Thummim Worked (Theories) The Bible provides extensive instructions on the priestly garments, but it is surprisingly silent on the nature or exact operation of the Urim and Thummim, leading to several theories among scholars and ancient commentators:
Cleromancy (Casting Lots): Many modern scholars believe they functioned as a form of sacred lot-casting, a method of divination often used for binary questions. The Urim and Thummim may have been two stones, one signifying a positive answer (Thummim, "perfection" or "innocence") and the other a negative one (Urim, possibly meaning "curse" or used to identify "guilt"). The priest would ask a question and draw one of the two objects from the pouch to get a "yes" or "no" answer.
Divine Light and Letters: Classical Jewish tradition, following the meaning of "Urim" as "lights," suggested that the stones on the breastplate, which were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes (and collectively contained all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet), would miraculously light up. The High Priest would then prophetically interpret the illuminated letters to form God's answer.
Prophetic Inspiration: Some suggest the High Priest would simply stand before the Ark of the Covenant, and while wearing the objects, God would give him a direct prophetic inspiration or vision.
In most biblical accounts, the answers received were suitable for simple "yes" or "no" questions. The function of the Urim and Thummim effectively ceased after the destruction of the First Temple (post-Babylonian exile), as they were no longer available.
Biblical Example of Use One of the clearest biblical examples of their use is found when King Saul needed to determine who in his army had sinned by breaking a fast, causing a disruption in their communication with God (1 Samuel 14:41–42, based on the Septuagint translation):
Saul inquires of the Lord but receives no answer, indicating that someone had sinned.
He appeals to God to use the oracle to identify the party: "O LORD, God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O LORD, God of Israel, give Urim; but if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim."
The lot falls to Saul and his son Jonathan, clearing the rest of the people.
Saul then uses the oracle again to distinguish between himself and Jonathan: "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son."
Jonathan is identified as the guilty party, having unknowingly broken the fast.
This passage is key to the interpretation that the Urim and Thummim were a pair of objects used for a sacred process of lot-casting to decide a matter of judgment.
These 12 stones in the breast plate.. how did whoever, decide, which gem type would symbolize which tribe?
That's an excellent question that goes right to the heart of the symbolism in this artifact!The Hebrew Bible gives very detailed instructions on the breastplate (Choshen Mishpat) in Exodus 28, listing the 12 stones and stating that each was to be "engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel" (Exodus 28:21). However, the Bible itself does not explicitly list which specific gemstone was matched with which specific tribe.The system for matching each of the 12 stones (Sardius, Topaz, Carbuncle, Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond, Jacinth, Agate, Amethyst, Beryl, Onyx, and Jasper) to a tribe has been the subject of debate and interpretation for centuries.📜 Traditional and Rabbinic InterpretationsOver time, various traditions developed to establish a link between a stone and a tribe. These associations were often based on:Birth Order: The most common and straightforward system, followed by some Jewish commentators like Josephus, arranges the tribes in the order of their birth, from Reuben (firstborn) to Benjamin (lastborn). The stones were arranged in four rows of three.The Tribal Standard/Banner Colors: According to a rabbinic tradition, each of the twelve tribes carried a flag or banner of a specific color when they marched in the wilderness. The color of the stone was meant to match the color of that tribe's banner.The Blessing of Jacob/Moses: The characteristics of each tribe, as described in the blessings given by Jacob (Genesis 49) or Moses (Deuteronomy 33), are often matched to the color or characteristic of a specific stone.Tribe (Birth Order)Stone (Exodus 28:17-20 - English Translation Varies)Traditional Rationale (Example Rashi/Midrash)ReubenSardius (Red Carnelian/Ruby)Red, symbolizing the Odem (red) of the mandrakes and possibly his transgression (Genesis 35:22).SimeonTopaz (Peridot/Topaz)Green, sometimes linked to the pale face of shame or an attribute of the tribe.LeviCarbuncle (Emerald/Carbuncle)Sparkling, symbolizing the brilliance of the Torah and the tribe's devotion to God's service.JudahEmerald (Turquoise/Carbuncle)Green, symbolizing the tribe's royalty and great strength.IssacharSapphire (Lapis Lazuli/Sapphire)Blue, symbolizing the heavenly color of the Tablets of the Law, as the tribe was renowned for Torah scholarship.ZebulunDiamond (Quartz/Pearl)White, representing the whiteness of the sea (where the tribe's territory lay) or the white of silver coins from commerce.DanJacinth (Orange Zircon/Hyacinth)Often a mixed color, relating to his role as a judge or sometimes a less-than-perfect attribute.NaphtaliAgate (Agate)Varied colors, often signifying his poetic, swift nature.GadAmethyst (Amethyst)Purple, symbolizing the warrior's blood or strength in battle.AsherBeryl (Aquamarine/Chrysolite)Golden-green, symbolizing the richness of olive oil (Deuteronomy 33:24) in his territory.JosephOnyx (Onyx)Black/dark, symbolizing his suffering or a protective quality.BenjaminJasper (Jasper)Multi-colored, symbolizing his young age and his composite strength.The Core Purpose: RemembranceRegardless of the exact pairings, the primary reason for these gems was explicitly stated: to be a "remembrance before the Lord" (Exodus 28:29). The High Priest carried the names of the entire nation over his heart when he entered the sanctuary, symbolically representing and interceding for all the people of Israel before God.Would you like to know more about the modern identity of any of these specific ancient gemstones, as their names often translate to different minerals today?
How does this priest guy use that breast plate with the gems?
That's the most fascinating part of the breastplate! It wasn't just a decoration; it was central to the High Priest's role as a mediator between God and the people.
The breastplate, referred to as the "Breastplate of Judgment" (Choshen Mishpat in Hebrew), had two main functions related to the stones and what was inside it:
A Continual Memorial: The Bible states that the High Priest was to "bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually" (Exodus 28:29).
The High Priest's Role: By wearing the names of all twelve tribes over his heart, the High Priest symbolically carried the entire nation of Israel into God's presence. He was the one interceding and standing in for the whole community. The twelve stones on the breastplate, along with the two inscribed onyx stones on the shoulder-pieces of the Ephod (the garment underneath), ensured the people were always "on his shoulders" (for strength) and "over his heart" (for compassion/prayer) before God.
The Objects: The instruction was to "put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim... that Aaron may bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually" (Exodus 28:30).
Urim is generally translated as "Lights" or "Illuminations."
Thummim is generally translated as "Perfections" or "Truth."
The exact nature of the Urim and Thummim is unknown—they may have been stones, lots, or other small objects.
The Function: These were used as a means of divine communication and to obtain a clear, authoritative answer from God regarding critical national questions, such as:
Should we go out to battle?
Which path should a leader take?
Establishing the guilt or innocence of a party.
How the Gems Were Thought to Work with Urim and Thummim According to classical rabbinic tradition, the gems themselves were involved in the process of seeking divine guidance:
The names of the 12 tribes were engraved on the 12 stones. The stones, along with the names of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) and the words "tribes of Jeshurun," contained all 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
When a serious question was posed to the High Priest, he would stand before the Ark of the Covenant. The Urim and Thummim (possibly an inscription of God's name inside the breastplate) would cause certain letters on the twelve stones to light up or stand out in a specific sequence.
The High Priest would then prophetically read and arrange the sequence of shining letters to form the word or phrase that answered the question, which is why it was called the Breastplate of Judgment/Decision.
This entire ritual gave the breastplate its immense sacred and national importance.
Would you be interested in seeing some of the specific Old Testament stories where the High Priest consulted the Urim and Thummim for a decision?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JhC6iPuh4XM&pp=ygUgU3RvbmVzIHByaWVzdCBnYXJtZW50IHB1cmUgbGlnaHQ%3D
I found this a while back and thought it was pretty interesting. I have no way to verify if true, could be hogwash. But with a British Voice, and minimalist hype music in the background, it’s gotta be true. Right?