Catholic Word of the Day: URIM AND THUMMIM, 04-22-14

CCDictionary ^ | Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary

[Salvation]

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URIM AND THUMMIM

 

Small objects, possibly stones, mentioned several times in the Old Testament but never described or explained. They were worn on the breast of a religious official, possibly designating his status, as he sought divine help (Exodus 28:30). Some believe that they were sacred lots that would evoke advice or instructions from Yahweh (Leviticus 8:9).

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

[Salvation]

I'm going to have to look back at the Old Testament and find these words.

[humblegunner]

Only time I heard of them was in the Joe Smith fabulism.

[Salvation]

Catholic Word of the Day Ping!

Nostra Aetate	Eubulia	Authority
Patrini	Soteriology	Remission of Sin
Jewish Decalogue	Theocracy	Marriage
Gift of Piety	Lough Derg	Vessel of Honor
Oil of Catechumens	Didache	Urbi et Orbi
Heroic Act	Quiddity	Cubicula
Koine	Beatitudes	Impeccability of Christ
Words of Institution	Fioretti	Zeitgeist
Immuration	Terna	Truth
Dedication	Gift of Counsel	Communion of Saints
Papist	Martyr	Ten Commandments
Epistemology	Catholicity	Nimbus
Rosminianism	Beatty Papyri	Herod Antipas
Lapsi	Seven Churches of Asia	Urim and Thummim

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[Salvation]

Interesting.

[humblegunner]

According to the Smith legend, they were a combination breast plate and magic spectacles.

[Salvation]

Leviticus is 8:8 in my Bible;

8 He then set the breastpiece on him, putting the Urim and Thummim* in it.

Exodus 28:30
30In this breastpiece of decisione you shall put the Urim and Thummim,* that they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus he shall always bear the decisions for the Israelites over his heart in the presence of the LORD.

[Salvation]

Both Leviticus and Exodus have much to say about what one should wear on the outside.....hmmmmm.

[onedoug]

I always thought the Urim and Thummim were too reminiscent of the superstition that the Hebrews had tried to escape.

[Salvation]

I wondered about superstition too as I posted it. Thanks.

[elcid1970]

I thought they were the `seer stones’ that Joseph Smith placed inside his hat and with which he translated the golden plates into the Book of Mormon.

Or so we are told by the COJCOLDS.