Exodus 28:30
And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָֽתַתָּ֞
And thou shalt put
H5414
וְנָֽתַתָּ֞
And thou shalt put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
חֹ֣שֶׁן
in the breastplate
H2833
חֹ֣שֶׁן
in the breastplate
Strong's:
H2833
Word #:
3 of 26
perhaps a pocket (as holding the urim and thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the gorget of the highpriest
מִשְׁפַּ֨ט
of judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפַּ֨ט
of judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאוּרִים֙
the Urim
H224
הָֽאוּרִים֙
the Urim
Strong's:
H224
Word #:
6 of 26
urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַתֻּמִּ֔ים
and the Thummim
H8550
הַתֻּמִּ֔ים
and the Thummim
Strong's:
H8550
Word #:
8 of 26
perfections, i.e., (technically) one of the epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete truth
וְהָיוּ֙
H1961
וְהָיוּ֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִבּ֛וֹ
heart
H3820
לִבּ֛וֹ
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
11 of 26
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
בְּבֹא֖וֹ
when he goeth
H935
בְּבֹא֖וֹ
when he goeth
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
13 of 26
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 26
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְנָשָׂ֣א
shall bear
H5375
וְנָשָׂ֣א
shall bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
16 of 26
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁפַּ֨ט
of judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפַּ֨ט
of judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
20 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
21 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִבּ֛וֹ
heart
H3820
לִבּ֛וֹ
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
23 of 26
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
24 of 26
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Nehemiah 7:65And 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.Ezra 2:63And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.Deuteronomy 33:8And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.Leviticus 8:8And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.Hebrews 4:15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.1 Samuel 28:6And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.Hebrews 9:24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:Hebrews 9:12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.Zechariah 6:13Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
Historical Context
The exact nature of Urim and Thummim remains debated—possibly engraved stones or sacred lots. Their use in determining God's will (1 Samuel 28:6) shows they functioned as divine communication, though Scripture rarely describes their operation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ provide both 'lights' (guidance) and 'perfections' (righteousness) simultaneously?
- What does bearing 'the judgment of Israel' teach about Christ's decision-making on your behalf?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Urim and Thummim (אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים, 'lights and perfections') in the breastplate enable the high priest to bear 'the judgment of Israel.' These mysterious objects allowed discerning God's will. The meanings ('lights'—illumination, 'perfections'—completion/truth) suggest divine guidance is both illuminating and perfecting. Christ, bearing our judgment, provides light for our path and perfection for our standing. Through Him we receive divine guidance and divine righteousness simultaneously.