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What the Bible Says About Urim and Thummin

Overview

The Bible addresses urim and thummin across 19 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Samuel, Judges and John. Closely related themes include Urim and Thummim, Ephod, the, High Priest, the and Benjamin, Tribe Of. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Saul, Aaron and Eleazar.

Key Bible verses about urim and thummin

Old Testament

1 Samuel

1 Samuel 23:9

And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

1 Samuel 23:10

Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

1 Samuel 23:11

Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.

1 Samuel 28:6

And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

1 Samuel 30:7

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

1 Samuel 30:8

And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

People in the Bible and urim and thummin

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying urim and thummin for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 28:30, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how 1 Samuel, Judges and John each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of David, Saul and Aaron and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Urim and Thummim, Ephod, the, High Priest, the and Benjamin, Tribe Of.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about urim and thummin?

The Bible addresses urim and thummin across 19 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Samuel, Judges and John. Closely related themes include Urim and Thummim, Ephod, the, High Priest, the and Benjamin, Tribe Of. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Saul, Aaron and Eleazar.

How many Bible verses are about urim and thummin?

The Bible references urim and thummin in 19 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention urim and thummin?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 28:30: “And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with urim and thummin?

David, Saul, Aaron, Eleazar and Abiathar.

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