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Urim and Thummim (Hebrew: אורים ותומים) -
typically translated as "lights and perfections" or "revelation and truth" - were a divination medium or process used by ancient Hebrews (usually Israelites) in revealing the will of God on a contested point of view or other problem.
Device or Process
Because the words Urim and Thummim are plural and in most cases do not connotate an object, the device or process should be
referred to as Urim and Thummim rather than "the" Urim and Thummim.
Some scholars have suggested "the" Urim and Thummim consists of two crystals; however, the precise nature of the medium is
unknown. According to the Bible, stones used for "a" Urim and Thummim were kept in the
breastplate of Aaron, the brother of Moses.
More recent scholars have pointed to the plural nature of the words to argue that there wasn't "a" certain device, but rather
Urim and Thummim was the process or procedure priests used in the casting of lots and some sort of stones or jewels were the
medium.
There is some evidence that Urim and Thummim were/was used as a lot that provided "yes" or
"no" answers, depending upon whether the Urim or the Thummim came into play, as manipulated by a Hebrew oracle. There is also evidence that the medium was used as an ordeal
to establish a person's guilt or innocence.
Biblical References
The earliest reference to Urim and Thummim in the Bible is that Aaron carried them
with him as High Priest. Many scholars believe Urim and Thummim were originally stones that resided in the breastplate (with
other precious stones) of the Jewish High Priest ceremonial clothing when he officiated in the tabernacle or temple. The last
agreed-upon reference to Urim and Thummim in the Bible is in Ezra and Nehemiah when, as the Temple and its worship practices are being restored, those who cannot prove their lineage as priests are commanded to wait for a priest with Urim and Thummim to identify them.
Some feel that "Urim and Thummim" is another name for the casting of lots, rather than a device (or stones, etc.) that is used
as a medium. Because of this context, some traditions hold that the choosing of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot in the book of Acts by the casting of lot was done by Urim and
Thummim, rather than by "the" Urim and Thummim. In either case, Urim and Thummim is not mentioned specifically in Biblical text
in regard to this calling.
Non-Biblical References
In Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Jr. used a purported Urim and Thummim to translate the Book of Mormon by crystallomancy from gold
plates until he had learned the language on the plates well enough to translate them without a medium for divination. Smith also purportedly used the medium to dictate some of the sections of
the Doctrine and Covenants (in answer to various
questions asked of God) by means of revelation from the Urim and Thummim and that they were also used to facilitate some portions
of the Joseph Smith
Translation of the Bible.
In addition, in the Book of Mormon, the prophet Ether and the prophet
Mosiah both used devices called Urim and Thummim to receive revelation
for their people. A priest called Ammon in the Book of Mormon told the Nephite people
that possession of Urim and Thummim is what constitutes a Seer.
Masonic Legend (taught during the 13, 14 and 21 degrees ceremonies of Masonry) and
Kabbalistic tradition states that Urim and Thummin were part of the recovered artifacts taken from Solomon's Temple after Hiram
Abif was murdered while protecting the temple treasury. According to the legend, Urim and Thummin and other recovered treasure
were placed back in the temple treasury.
The Hebrew phrase "Urim V'Thummim" (אורים ותומים) is
emblazoned across the open book pictured on the Yale shield. It is
translated in Latin on a banner below as "Lux et Veritas" ("Light and Truth").
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