King James Version

What Does Exodus 28:30 Mean?

Exodus 28:30 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when h... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 28:30 · KJV


Context

28

And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.

29

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.

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.

31

And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.

32

And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Urim and Thummim (אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים, 'lights and perfections') in the breastplate enable the high priest to bear 'the judgment of Israel.' These mysterious objects allowed discerning God's will. The meanings ('lights'—illumination, 'perfections'—completion/truth) suggest divine guidance is both illuminating and perfecting. Christ, bearing our judgment, provides light for our path and perfection for our standing. Through Him we receive divine guidance and divine righteousness simultaneously.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exact nature of Urim and Thummim remains debated—possibly engraved stones or sacred lots. Their use in determining God's will (1 Samuel 28:6) shows they functioned as divine communication, though Scripture rarely describes their operation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ provide both 'lights' (guidance) and 'perfections' (righteousness) simultaneously?
  2. What does bearing 'the judgment of Israel' teach about Christ's decision-making on your behalf?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְנָֽתַתָּ֞1 of 26

And thou shalt put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶל2 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֹ֣שֶׁן3 of 26

in the breastplate

H2833

perhaps a pocket (as holding the urim and thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the gorget of the highpriest

מִשְׁפַּ֨ט4 of 26

of judgment

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

אֶת5 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָֽאוּרִים֙6 of 26

the Urim

H224

urim, the oracular brilliancy of the figures in the high-priest's breastplate

וְאֶת7 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַתֻּמִּ֔ים8 of 26

and the Thummim

H8550

perfections, i.e., (technically) one of the epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete truth

וְהָיוּ֙9 of 26
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עַל10 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִבּ֛וֹ11 of 26

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אַֽ֠הֲרֹן12 of 26

and Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

בְּבֹא֖וֹ13 of 26

when he goeth

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לִפְנֵ֥י14 of 26

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֖ה15 of 26

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְנָשָׂ֣א16 of 26

shall bear

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אַֽ֠הֲרֹן17 of 26

and Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

אֶת18 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִשְׁפַּ֨ט19 of 26

of judgment

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

בְּנֵֽי20 of 26

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל21 of 26

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עַל22 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִבּ֛וֹ23 of 26

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לִפְנֵ֥י24 of 26

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֖ה25 of 26

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

תָּמִֽיד׃26 of 26

continually

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 28:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 28:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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