The Urim and Thummim
A Means of Revelation in Ancient Israel
Cornelis Van Dam
This is the first exhaustive study of the Urim and Thummim since 1824, and in this book Van Dam sets out to rectify that lack of attention. He investigates all of the biblical data concerning this enigmatic oracular means of high-priestly revelation and its connection, in the historical books of the Old Testament, with the common phrase “to enquire of Yahweh/God.”
- Description
- Table of Contents
After surveying the history of interpretation and the treatment of the terms in the various versions and translations, Van Dam examines the implications of similar oracular devices and priestly dress within the larger cultural context of the ancient Near East. He places the Urim and Thummim within the context of divine revelation and human inquiry and the corollary probibition of divination in ancient Israel. He concludes that the breastpiece functioned as a pouch to hold the Urim and Thummim, which therefore clearly were tangible objects. Van Dam traces the use of this oracular instrument through the early monarchy under David—from the time of Joshua through the early monarchy under David—and its apparent disappearance by the time of the “classical” prophets, where a shift to primarily verbal oracles occurs.
Concurrent with his study of the history of the oracle, Van Dam interacts with current discussion on the nature and process of God’s revelation to humankind.
Preface and Acknowledgments
Bibliography of Works Cited by Author’s Name Only
Abbreviations
1. INTRODUCTION
Purpose and Method
Orientation to the Biblical Evidence
Part 1: History
2. INTERPRETATIONS: A TOPICAL SURVEY
Did the Urim and Thummim Have a Physical Identity?
The Urim and Thummim as Allegory, Symbol, and Type
The Urim and Thummim and the Gems of the Breastpiece
The Urim and Thummim and the Name
The Interpretation of the Urim and Thummim as Letters Written on the Breastpiece
The Interpretation of the Urim and Thummim as Gems or Special Objects
Revelation by Light and Letters
Revelation by Divine Inspiration
Revelation by Lot
The Urim and Thummim as Two Means of Revelation
3. INTERPRETATIONS: ANALOGUES FROMTHE ANCIENT NEAR EAST
Lot Oracles
The Urim and Thummim and the Teraphim
Mesopotamia
The Tablet of Destinies
Illumination and Light
Clothing
Abandoned Proposals
Summary
The Hittites
Ugarit
The Term urm
The Terms ttrp and ipd
Possible Analogues from Egypt
Tummim and the Egyptian Pendant of Truth
Pectorals and Breastpieces
The Word ifd and Ephod-Like Garments
Arabia
The Urim and Thummim and the Betyls of the qubba
China
4. THE TERMS URIM AND THUMMIM: THE HISTORY OF TRANSLATION
The Greek Translations
Jewish Interpretations and the Peshitta
Early and Medieval Christianity
From the Sixteenth to the Mid-Nineteenth Century
The Traditional Understanding Questioned
5. CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF INTERPRETATIONS
Early and Medieval Interpretation
From the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth Century
The Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
Prospects
Part 2: Biblical Evidence
6. REVELATION AND DIVINATION
Divine Revelation and Human Inquiry in Israel
Methods of Revelation and Inquiry
Excursus: Biqqes and daras and Inquiring of God
Ancient Near Eastern Analogues to Prophecy
The Prohibition of Divination
The Divine Ban on Divination
The Self-Revelation of God and Divination
The Practice of Forbidden Divination in Israel
The Method of the Investigation
7. TERMS AND GARMENTS
The Meaning of the Terms urim and tummim
Evidence in Favor of the Traditional Understanding
Further Considerations
The Urim and Thummim and the High-Priestly Garments
The Ephod
The Breastpiece of Judgment and the Urim and Thummim
8. THE URIM AND THUMMIM AND THE HIGH PRIEST
The Mediatory Position of the High Priest
Joshua and the High Priest
Lipne YHWH ‘Before Yahweh’
The Urim and Thummim and the Levitical Priesthood
Levi and the Thummim and Urim in the Blessing of Moses
The Urim and Thummim and the Teaching and Judging Tasks
9. THE OCCASIONS FOR USING THE URIM AND THUMMIM
Numbers 27:21 and 1 Samuel 28:6
Examples of the Use of the Urim and Thummim
An Investigation into sa’al be YHWH/be lohim
No Answer by the Urim in 1 Samuel 28:6
Summary
10. THE PROCEDURE FOR USING THE URIM AND THUMMIM
Human Involvement
Were the Urim and Thummim a Lot Oracle?
The Context and Text of 1 Samuel 14:41
The Lot Theory Examined
Other Related Hypotheses
Analogues Means
11. HOW DID THE URIM AND THUMMIM FUNCTION?
Revelation by the Urim and Thummim Compared to Revelation by the Lot
The Involvement of Prophecy
Data from Ezra 2:63 (and Nehemiah 7:65)
A Proposal
Concluding Observations on the Identity of the Urim and Thummim
Selective Summary of Key Conclusions
Closing Reflections
12. THE ORIGIN AND DEMISE OF THE URIM AND THUMMIM
The Origin and First Use of the Urim and Thummim
The Demise of the Urim and Thummim
The Urim and Thummim and the Psalms
The Urim and Thummim and Prophecy
The Urim and Thummim and Kingship
The Urim and Thummim and the Priesthood
When and under What Circumstances the Urim and Thummim Ceased to Function
Part 3: Theological Implications
13. REVELATION, OFFICES, AND THE URIM AND THUMMIM
Key Features of the Urim and Thummim
Divine Approval and Demand
The Importance and the Limits of the Urim and Thummim
The Place of the Urim and Thummim in God’s Rule of Israel
The Time of Joshua and the Judges
The Time of Samuel, Saul, and David
Summary
The Place of the Urim and Thummim in God’s Self-Revelation: An Overview
The Urim and Thummim and the Office of Priest and Ruler or King
The Urim and Thummim and the Office of Prophet
The Word Alone
INDEXES
Index of Authors
Index of Scripture
Index of Ancient and Medieval Sources
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