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
Judges
Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?
And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.
1 Samuel
And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
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.
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.
And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
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.
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.
New Testament
John
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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