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 and with Thummim.
Original Language Analysis
הַתִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙
And the Tirshatha
H8660
הַתִּרְשָׁ֙תָא֙
And the Tirshatha
Strong's:
H8660
Word #:
2 of 13
tirshatha, the title of a persian deputy or governor
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֹאכְל֖וּ
unto them that they should not eat
H398
יֹאכְל֖וּ
unto them that they should not eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
6 of 13
to eat (literally or figuratively)
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
holy things
H6944
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
holy things
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
7 of 13
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
holy things
H6944
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
holy things
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
8 of 13
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
עַ֛ד
H5704
עַ֛ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
9 of 13
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עֲמֹ֥ד
till there stood up
H5975
עֲמֹ֥ד
till there stood up
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
10 of 13
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
כֹּהֵ֖ן
a priest
H3548
כֹּהֵ֖ן
a priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
11 of 13
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Cross References
Exodus 28:30And 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.Leviticus 2:3And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.Leviticus 2:10And that which is left of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.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.Nehemiah 8:9And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.Leviticus 22:10There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest, or an hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.
Historical Context
The Urim and Thummim were objects kept in the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:30), used for yes/no divine guidance. Their exact nature remains debated (stones? lots?). After the exile, they disappear from biblical record—Josephus confirms they ceased functioning in the Second Temple period. This marks the transition from mechanical revelation to prophetic and ultimately Spirit-filled guidance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the permanent loss of Urim and Thummim point forward to Christ as our final and complete revelation?
- What happens when old covenant mechanisms of certainty fail and only faith in God's promises remains?
- In what ways do you seek mechanical certainty (modern "Urim and Thummim") rather than trusting the Holy Spirit's guidance?
Analysis & Commentary
And 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—The Tirshatha (תִּרְשָׁתָא, Persian title meaning "governor," likely Zerubbabel or Sheshbazzar) prohibited these questionable priests from eating the qodesh ha-qodashim (most holy things)—portions reserved for Aaronide priests (Leviticus 2:3,10; 6:16-18).
The restriction awaited priestly consultation via Urim v'Tummim (אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים)—mysterious objects used for divine guidance, meaning "lights and perfections." Tragically, they were lost in exile and never recovered—no subsequent biblical text records their use. This leaves the priests in perpetual limbo, illustrating that the old covenant's mechanisms of certainty had failed. Christ becomes our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), giving direct access without Urim and Thummim.