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Full Description
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."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.
Contents
Preface and AcknowledgmentsBibliography of Works Cited by Author's Name OnlyAbbreviations1. INTRODUCTIONPurpose and MethodOrientation to the Biblical EvidencePart 1: History2. INTERPRETATIONS: A TOPICAL SURVEYDid the Urim and Thummim Have a Physical Identity?The Urim and Thummim as Allegory, Symbol, and TypeThe Urim and Thummim and the Gems of the BreastpieceThe Urim and Thummim and the NameThe Interpretation of the Urim and Thummim as Letters Written on the BreastpieceThe Interpretation of the Urim and Thummim as Gems or Special ObjectsRevelation by Light and LettersRevelation by Divine InspirationRevelation by LotThe Urim and Thummim as Two Means of Revelation3. INTERPRETATIONS: ANALOGUES FROMTHE ANCIENT NEAR EASTLot OraclesThe Urim and Thummim and the TeraphimMesopotamiaThe Tablet of DestiniesIllumination and LightClothingAbandoned ProposalsSummaryThe HittitesUgaritThe Term urmThe Terms ttrp and ipdPossible Analogues from EgyptTummim and the Egyptian Pendant of TruthPectorals and BreastpiecesThe Word ifd and Ephod-Like GarmentsArabiaThe Urim and Thummim and the Betyls of the qubbaChinaThe Greek TranslationsJewish Interpretations and the PeshittaEarly and Medieval ChristianityFrom the Sixteenth to the Mid-Nineteenth CenturyThe Traditional Understanding QuestionedEarly and Medieval InterpretationFrom the Sixteenth to the Eighteenth CenturyThe Nineteenth and Twentieth CenturiesProspectsPart 2: Biblical Evidence6. REVELATION AND DIVINATIONDivine Revelation and Human Inquiry in IsraelMethods of Revelation and InquiryExcursus: Biqqes and daras and Inquiring of GodAncient Near Eastern Analogues to ProphecyThe Prohibition of DivinationThe Divine Ban on DivinationThe Self-Revelation of God and DivinationThe Practice of Forbidden Divination in IsraelThe Method of the Investigation7. TERMS AND GARMENTSThe Meaning of the Terms urim and tummimEvidence in Favor of the Traditional UnderstandingFurther ConsiderationsThe Urim and Thummim and the High-Priestly GarmentsThe EphodThe Breastpiece of Judgment and the Urim and Thummim8. THE URIM AND THUMMIM AND THE HIGH PRIESTThe Mediatory Position of the High PriestJoshua and the High PriestLipne YHWH 'Before Yahweh'The Urim and Thummim and the Levitical PriesthoodLevi and the Thummim and Urim in the Blessing of MosesThe Urim and Thummim and the Teaching and Judging Tasks9. THE OCCASIONS FOR USING THE URIM AND THUMMIMNumbers 27:21 and 1 Samuel 28:6Examples of the Use of the Urim and ThummimAn Investigation into sa'al be YHWH/be lohimNo Answer by the Urim in 1 Samuel 28:6Summary10. THE PROCEDURE FOR USING THE URIM AND THUMMIMHuman InvolvementWere the Urim and Thummim a Lot Oracle?The Context and Text of 1 Samuel 14:41The Lot Theory ExaminedOther Related HypothesesAnalogues Means11. HOW DID THE URIM AND THUMMIM FUNCTION?Revelation by the Urim and Thummim Compared to Revelation by the LotThe Involvement of ProphecyData from Ezra 2:63 (and Nehemiah 7:65)A ProposalConcluding Observations on the Identity of the Urim and ThummimSelective Summary of Key ConclusionsClosing ReflectionsThe Origin and First Use of the Urim and ThummimThe Demise of the Urim and ThummimThe Urim and Thummim and the PsalmsThe Urim and Thummim and ProphecyThe Urim and Thummim and KingshipThe Urim and Thummim and the PriesthoodWhen and under What Circumstances the Urim and Thummim Ceased to FunctionPart 3: Theological Implications13. REVELATION, OFFICES, AND THE URIM AND THUMMIMKey Features of the Urim and ThummimDivine Approval and DemandThe Importance and the Limits of the Urim and ThummimThe Place of the Urim and Thummim in God's Rule of IsraelThe Time of Joshua and the JudgesThe Time of Samuel, Saul, and DavidSummaryThe Place of the Urim and Thummim in God's Self-Revelation: An OverviewThe Urim and Thummim and the Office of Priest and Ruler or KingThe Urim and Thummim and the Office of ProphetThe Word AloneINDEXESIndex of AuthorsIndex of ScriptureIndex of Ancient and Medieval Sources
