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Urim and Thummim

American  
[yoor-im, oor-, thuhm-im, toom-] / ˈjʊər ɪm, ˈʊər-, ˈθʌm ɪm, ˈtʊm- /

plural noun

Judaism.
  1. objects, possibly made of metal or precious stones and inscribed with symbols, worn in the breastplate of the high priest and used, perhaps like lots, to determine God's response to a question answerable by “yes” or “no.” Exodus 28:30.


Urim and Thummim British  
/ ˈjʊərɪm-, -ˈθʌmɪm /

noun

  1. Old Testament two objects probably used as oracles and carried in the breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:30)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Urim and Thummim

First recorded in 1530–40; partial translation of Hebrew ūrīm wəthummīm, of very uncertain meaning, possibly, “lights and integrity” or “lights and perfections,” equivalent to ūrīm, intensive plural of ūr “a light,” wə- “and,” and tummīm, plural of tōm “truth, perfection”


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

With them would be found a code key, or Urim and Thummim.

From Time Magazine Archive

He took Urim and Thummim from his pocket, and began playing with them.

From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

He told the boy it was no coincidence that he had met him with Urim and Thummim in his hand.

From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

He placed Urim and Thummim in the chest.

From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

He knelt down to find Urim and Thummim and put them back in the pouch.

From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

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