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 Thummim.

NEHEMIAH 7:65KJV
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Nehemiah 7:65 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 7:65 mean?

Nehemiah 7:65 describes how the Tirshatha (the governor, likely Nehemiah) ordered certain people not to eat the most holy offerings until a priest could consult the Urim and Thummim to clarify their status. This meant they had to wait for a clear decision from God about whether they were eligible to serve as priests.

The verse takes place as Nehemiah organizes the returned exiles in Jerusalem. Some families could not prove their priestly ancestry, so Nehemiah, called the Tirshatha, told them to hold off from eating sacred food. The Urim (אוּרִים, urim) and Thummim (תֻּמִּים, tummim) were sacred lots used by priests to seek God’s guidance in uncertain situations.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 7:65

  • Tirshatha (תִּרְשָׁתָא, tirshatha): This word refers to the governor or leader, here meaning Nehemiah. It shows that the decision came from the highest local authority, not just the priests.
  • Urim (אוּרִים, urim) and Thummim (תֻּמִּים, tummim): These were objects used for seeking God’s will, often kept with the high priest. Their mention highlights the seriousness of the decision and the need for divine confirmation, not just human records.
  • Most holy things (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This phrase refers to the sacred food offerings reserved for priests. The restriction shows the importance of purity and proper lineage in temple service.

Why Nehemiah 7:65 matters

  • Nehemiah 7:65 clarifies that even in times of rebuilding and uncertainty, the community took great care to follow God’s instructions about who could serve as priests.
  • The verse shows the balance between practical leadership (Nehemiah’s role) and spiritual discernment (waiting for God’s answer through the Urim and Thummim).
  • This moment connects to the larger theme of restoring proper worship and order after the exile, showing that spiritual integrity was as important as physical rebuilding.

Where else these words appear

“Tirshatha” Hebrew H8660 · used in 5 verses

  • 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.
  • Nehemiah 7:70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
  • Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

“Thummim” Hebrew H8550 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 28:30 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.
  • 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;

“Urim” Hebrew H224 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 28:30 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.
  • Numbers 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
  • 1 Samuel 28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.