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תֻּמִּים

𐤕𐤌𐤉𐤌

Tummîym

H8550 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ת־מ־ם to be complete, to be finished, to be whole, to have integrity

Definition

Plural noun referring to 'perfections,' most often in the phrase 'Urim and Thummim' ('Urim ve-Tummim'), the mysterious objects or means associated with priestly divination or the revelation of a divine decision in ancient Israelite religion. The term denotes qualities of completeness, integrity, or faultlessness, particularly in the context of decision-making or seeking truth by priestly authority. In all biblical attestations, the word functions as a technical term rather than a general descriptor.

Semantic Range

objects or means used for oracular/divinatory purposes; symbols of completeness or integrity; technical term for part of the priestly apparatus 'Urim and Thummim'; abstract connotation of perfection or faultlessness in ritual context

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root תּ־מ־ם (ת־מ־ם), meaning 'to be complete, to be finished, to be whole, to have integrity.' The word תֻּמִּים is the intensive plural form, possibly denoting the encompassing of all aspects of completeness or integrity. Its specific application to the priestly objects remains uncertain, and etymological connection to physical 'perfections' is indirect; it likely refers metaphorically to qualities of wholeness/truth rather than describing the physical nature of the Urim and Thummim.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term תֻּמִּים appears in the Hebrew Bible exclusively as part of the fixed phrase 'Urim and Thummim,' associated with the decision-making apparatus used by the Israelite high priest, especially in Exodus (28:30; 39:8), Leviticus (8:8), Numbers (27:21), and 1 Samuel (28:6). Its precise physical nature remains uncertain: ancient interpretation associates both words with light and completeness, suggesting a symbolic function as mediums for discerning the divine will. The technical, cultic association faded after the Babylonian exile, and later Jewish/Hellenistic traditions interpreted the words abstractly, sometimes equating them with 'revelation' and 'truth,' or associating them with the concept of divine communication. English translations (e.g., 'Thummim') often transliterate rather than translate due to uncertainty over physical characteristics or usage, and the English 'perfections' fails to convey the ritual and divinatory context suggested by original use. Unlike other words connected to integrity or truth (e.g., אֱמֶת, אֹמֶן), תֻּמִּים is not used in non-cultic senses in biblical Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

plural of תֹּם; perfections, i.e. (techn.) one of the epithets of the objects in the high-priest's breastplate as an emblem of complete Truth; Thummim.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תמם (t-m-m) — to be complete, to be finished, to be whole, to have integrity

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4974 מְתֹם sound wholeness
H8535 תָּם whole and blameless
H8537 תֹּם wholeness
H8549 תָּמִים in integrity
H8552 תָּמַם Wholeness

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8550-01 הַ/תֻּמִּ֔ים hatumim HTd/Ncmpa the Thummim the perfections 2
H8550-03 וּ/לְ/תֻמִּֽים uletumim HC/R/Ncmpa and Thummim and to the Perfections 1
H8550-02 תֻּמֶּ֥י/ךָ tumeykha HNcmpc/Sp2ms Your Thummim your perfections 1
H8550-04 וְ/תוּמִּֽים vetumim HC/Ncmpa and Thummim and perfections 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8550-01 Exodus 28:30 הַ/תֻּמִּ֔ים hatumim HTd/Ncmpa the Thummim the perfections
H8550-01 Leviticus 8:8 הַ/תֻּמִּֽים hatumim HTd/Ncmpa Thummim the perfections
H8550-02 Deuteronomy 33:8 תֻּמֶּ֥י/ךָ tumeykha HNcmpc/Sp2ms Your Thummim your perfections
H8550-03 Ezra 2:63 וּ/לְ/תֻמִּֽים uletumim HC/R/Ncmpa and Thummim and to the Perfections
H8550-04 Nehemiah 7:65 וְ/תוּמִּֽים vetumim HC/Ncmpa and Thummim and perfections
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