Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Exodus

[Huddra]

I just learned in the OT, the Israelites sometimes used Urim and Thummim for divination, but I could never find the details of how to use them in the Scripture. Is it biblical for us to also use them? How do we do it?

[jimwalton]

You couldn't find the details in the Bible because the details aren't there. We have no idea how they worked. Even the etymology and the meaning of the words themselves are uncertain. Exodus 28.30 doesn't mention any "making" of them, suggesting they were already in existence and already in use. No description of them is even given. They seem to have been a mechanism for discerning God's will, and if they're like other ancient Near Eastern (ANE) practices, they have a yes/no feature to how they are used. (Maybe put them in a place and draw one out, the one representing yes and the other no, but that's uncertain.) Sometimes in other ANE cultures, to draw the same one out 3 times in a row confirmed an answer. (me shrugging shoulders) No one knows. There is never a description of what they looked like or how they were used. All we know is they were used to make decisions (Ex. 28.30).

> Is it biblical for us to also use them?

No, we have the Holy Spirit in us.

> How do we do it?

We don't. Any use would be sheer guesswork.

[Huddra]

> No, we have the Holy Spirit in us.

Thanks! I think you're right. I'm starting to think those devices were made just like the reason Jesus said about why Moses allow divorces then.