Exodus 28:30

The Urim and the Thummim] The literal meaning of these words is given in RM, 'the Lights and the Perfections.' The Urim and Thummim are nowhere described, but there can be no doubt that they were material objects, as they are said to be put in the breastplate, which was a pocket: cp. also Leviticus 8:8. From 1 Samuel 28:6 we learn that the Urim (and Thummim) served as one of three ways by means of which the divine will might be ascertained: cp. Numbers 27:21. In all probability they were two images or jewels, engraved with distinguishing characters, used in casting lots. In this connexion 1 Samuel 14:38 is instructive. 1 Samuel 14:41 in our Hebrew text there is evidently mutilated. The Gk. and Lat. versions read, 'If the iniquity be in me or Jonathan my son, give Urim; and if the iniquity be in the people, give Thummim.' On the casting of lots see on Numbers 26:55, and cp. Leviticus 16:8; 1 Samuel 23:9; 1 Samuel 30:7; Acts 1:26.