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.

EXODUS 28:30KJV
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Exodus 28:30 (KJV)

What does Exodus 28:30 mean?

Exodus 28:30 describes how God commands that the Urim and the Thummim be placed inside the breastplate of judgment, which the high priest Aaron will wear over his heart whenever he enters God’s presence. This act symbolizes that Aaron, as high priest, carries the responsibility of representing the Israelites’ decisions and seeking God’s guidance for them at all times.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions about the special clothing for Aaron, who will serve as the first high priest for Israel. The Urim (אוּרִים, Urim) and Thummim (תֻּמִּים, Thummim) were sacred objects used to discern God’s will, though their exact nature is uncertain. The breastplate (חֹשֶׁן, choshen) is called the “breastplate of judgment” because it was used in making important decisions for the people. The verse emphasizes that Aaron must always carry the people’s concerns before God, showing the seriousness and ongoing nature of his role.

Where else these words appear

“Thummim” Hebrew H8550 · used in 5 verses

  • Leviticus 8:8 And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
  • Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
  • Ezra 2:63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

“Urim” Hebrew H224 · used in 7 verses

  • Leviticus 8:8 And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
  • Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
  • Ezra 2:63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

“breastplate” Hebrew H2833 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 25:7 Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate.
  • Exodus 28:26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.
  • Exodus 39:9 It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.

“continually” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • 2 Samuel 9:7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
  • Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.