Thummim

Perfection (LXX., “truth;” Vulg., “veritas”), Ex. 28:30; Deut. 33:8; Judg. 1:1; 20:18; 1 Sam. 14:3, 18; 23:9; 2 Sam. 21:1. What the “Urim and Thummim” were cannot be determined with any certainty. All we certainly know is that they were a certain divinely-given means by which God imparted, through the high priest, direction and counsel to Israel when these were needed. The method by which this was done can be only a matter of mere conjecture. They were apparently material objects, quite distinct from the breastplate, but something added to it after all the stones had been set in it, something in addition to the breastplate and its jewels. They may have been, as some suppose, two small images, like the teraphim (comp. Judg. 17:5; 18:14, 17, 20; Hos. 3:4), which were kept in the bag of the breastplate, by which, in some unknown way, the high priest could give forth his divinely imparted decision when consulted. They were probably lost at the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. They were never seen after the return from captivity.

[Urim And Thummim AND THUMMIM]

THUM'MIM. Ex 28:30. See Urim.

perfection; truth

THUM'MIM. Ex 28:30. See Urim. THUN'DER is very rare in Palestine from the middle of April to the middle of September. Hence it was a striking miracle when, in answer to Samuel's prayer, God sent thunder and rain in wheat-harvest (May 18 to June 15). 1 Sam 12:17. Thunder was regarded as Jehovah's voice. Job 37:2; Ps 18:13; Ps 81:7; Isa 30:30-31. When the people heard God's voice, they said that it thundered. John 12:29. Thunder accompanied the giving of the Law. Ex 19:16. It was a symbol of divine power, implying possible vengeance upon wrong-doers. 1 Sam 2:10; 2 Sam 22:14; Isa 29:6; Rev 8:5.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A mysterious part or decoration of the breastplate of the Jewish high priest. See the note under Urim.