Objects & worship
Urim and Thummim
Sacred items used by Israel’s priesthood when seeking a decision before God.
Also called · the Urim · the Thummim
What it means
Exodus 28 directs that the Urim and Thummim be placed in Aaron’s breastplate of judgment. In Leviticus 8, Moses puts the breastplate on Aaron and places them inside it.
These passages do not describe the objects’ shape or the precise procedure for obtaining a decision. They are connected with asking God for guidance, but 1 Samuel 28 says that Saul received no answer by Urim.
How it appears in the Bible
Numbers says Joshua was to stand before the priest Eleazar, who would inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim.
Translation note
The selected edition retains the names Urim and Thummim in Exodus 28:30. Their names alone do not establish their appearance or method of use.