Exodus 28:30

Translations

Modern

And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over the heart of Aaron when he goes in before the face of YHWH. And Aaron shall bear the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the face of YHWH continually.

Latin

Pones autem in rationali judicii Doctrinam et Veritatem, quæ erunt in pectore Aaron, quando ingredietur coram Domino: et gestabit judicium filiorum Israël in pectore suo, in conspectu Domini semper.

Original

Hebrew

English

And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron’s heart whenever he comes before the LORD. Aaron will continually carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD.

Notes

Exodus 28:30

the Urim and Thummim: These are Hebrew terms that might translate as lights [or curses] and perfections. These objects were likely two stones. The priest used them to receive a yes-or-no answer from God.

The Bible does not describe what these stones looked like. Other passages further explain their use (see Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8; 1 Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:63; and Nehemiah 7:65).

Exodus 28:15–30

The breastpiece receives more attention than any other item. This suggests the breastpiece was very important.

The breastpiece symbolized the priest's representation of Israel (28:17–21, 29). It held the Urim and Thummim, objects through which God revealed his will (28:30).

The high priest had two main tasks. First, he brought the people to God. He represented them before the Lord.

Second, he brought God’s word to the people. He spoke to them on God’s behalf.

The chestpiece stood for both of these duties. It showed that the high priest served as a bridge between God and the people.

Exodus 28:1–43

These holy garments for Aaron were to distinguish him as a priest set apart (Hebrew qadash, “consecrated”) for the Lord's service (28:2, 3). The beauty of these garments matched the beauty of the Tent of Meeting, which was God's portable earthly palace (or tabernacle).

One day, Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, would enter the Most Holy Place once for all. Then the difference between priests and people would disappear (Hebrews 10:11–22). Until then, human mediators represented how Christ would fulfill the types of wonderful things God accomplishes for his people.

Theme notes and profiles

Abiathar Holiness by Relationship Pure Worship Temple Design as a Picture of God's Truth

Events

Tabernacle Builtc. 1490 BC

Related verses

Nehemiah 7:65
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
Ezra 2:63
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to consult the Urim and Thummim.
Deuteronomy 33:8
Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.
Numbers 27:21
He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”
Leviticus 8:8
Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece.
1 Samuel 28:6
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
1 Samuel 30:7–8
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought it to him,
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
Judges 1:1
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the LORD, “Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?”
Hebrews 9:24
For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.
Philippians 1:7–8
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.
Hebrews 9:12
He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Parallels

Exodus 39:8–21

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Thummim: Objects used with the Urim for divine guidance Urim: Objects used with the Thummim for divine guidance

Glossary

Aaron Beauty Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Holy War Holy War Leviticus, Book of Tabernacle Temple Urim and Thummim

Topics

Breastplate: for High Priest: Directions for the Making of Breastplate: The Urim and Thummim Placed In Intercession of Man with God Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): Vestments of Priest: The Time of Moses: Vestments of Types of the Saviour: High Priest, Typical of the Mediatorship Urim and Thummim in the Breastplate Urim and Thummim: Placed in the Breastplate of the High Priest

Exodus 28:30

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