אוּרִים
𐤀𐤅𐤓𐤉𐤌
ʼÛwrîym
H224 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A sacred object or set of objects associated with the high priest's breastpiece, used in ancient Israelite practice for divination or obtaining oracular answers. Its precise form and mechanism are not described in the Hebrew Bible, but 'Urim' is coupled with 'Thummim' as a means of discerning decisions before YHWH, especially in questions of national consequence or leadership. In context, it generally refers to the ritual means for authoritative guidance or judgment from the deity.
Semantic Range
objects for divinatory decision, symbols representing revelation or decision, ritual means for obtaining an answer, 'Urim' as a pair-name with Thummim; literal 'lights' (in underlying root) but figurative or technical as a ritual term
Root / Etymology
From the root אוּר (to be light, to shine, flame), conveying the idea of 'lights.' אוּרִים is a plural form, likely a plural of intensity or excellence rather than denoting multiple physical objects. However, as a technical term, it is not always directly derivable from the root's base meaning of 'light.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
אוּרִים (Urim) occurs only in combination with תֻּמִּים (Thummim) within the Torah and later references (Exod 28:30; Lev 8:8; Num 27:21; Deut 33:8; 1 Sam 28:6; Ezra 2:63; Neh 7:65). Their exact nature is enigmatic: no clear physical description is provided in the texts, nor is the method of consultation detailed. The term is often rendered 'Urim' in English translations, and sometimes the pair Urim and Thummim has been interpreted as 'lights and perfections' or similar. Historically, the objects were associated exclusively with the priesthood, likely from an early period and continuing into the monarchic era; use appears to diminish or be symbolic in later periods. The practice provides insight into early Israelite modes of seeking divine will, distinct from prophecy and later forms of religious consultation. Later Jewish tradition and Christian translations at times use 'Urim' as a symbolic reference to illumination or revelatory truth, but this is interpretive and not the lexical meaning nor the historical usage in the Hebrew Bible. The later English term 'Urim' is a direct transliteration and does not reflect a different semantic field.
Translation Consistency
H224 names a specific ritual object/term rather than a common noun; English translations overwhelmingly treat it as a technical proper name (often paired with Thummim). Using the transliterated form “Urim” preserves the distinctive cultic sense and avoids forcing an imprecise gloss like “lights,” “lots,” or “oracles,” which would lose the term’s technical identity and consistency across occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of אוּר; lights; Urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate; Urim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
אוּר (Ur) — to burn, to blaze, to flame
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H224-02 |
הָ/אוּרִים֙ | haurim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of the Urim | the Oracular Lights | the Urim | 3 |
H224-03 |
לְ/אוּרִ֥ים | leurim | HR/Ncmpa |
with Urim | to the Urim-lights | to the Urim-lights | 2 |
H224-01 |
בָּ/אוּרִ֖ים | baurim | HRd/Ncmpa |
by the Urim | by the Oracular Lights | by the Urim | 1 |
H224-04 |
וְ/אוּרֶ֖י/ךָ | veureykha | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms |
and Your Urim | your Urim-lights | and your Urim | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H224-02 |
Exodus 28:30 | הָ/אוּרִים֙ | haurim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the Urim | the Oracular Lights | the Urim |
H224-02 |
Leviticus 8:8 | הָ/אוּרִ֖ים | haurim | HTd/Ncmpa |
Urim | the Oracular Lights | the Urim |
H224-02 |
Numbers 27:21 | הָ/אוּרִ֖ים | haurim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of the Urim | the Oracular Lights | the Urim |
H224-04 |
Deuteronomy 33:8 | וְ/אוּרֶ֖י/ךָ | veureykha | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms |
and Your Urim | your Urim-lights | and your Urim |
H224-01 |
1 Samuel 28:6 | בָּ/אוּרִ֖ים | baurim | HRd/Ncmpa |
by the Urim | by the Oracular Lights | by the Urim |
H224-03 |
Ezra 2:63 | לְ/אוּרִ֥ים | leurim | HR/Ncmpa |
with Urim | to the Urim-lights | to the Urim-lights |
H224-03 |
Nehemiah 7:65 | לְ/אוּרִ֥ים | leurim | HR/Ncmpa |
with Urim | to the Urim-lights | to the Urim-lights |