Did second temple high priests possess the Urim and Thummim?
According to TB Yoma 21b, the urim and the thummim and the spirit of prophecy were among the things missing from the Second Temple. According to Ezra 2:61–63 (Neh.7:63–65), they were missing from the time of the return. Josephus suggests, however, that the urim and thummim stopped shining, that is t...
| Published in: | The journal of Hebrew scriptures |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
The National Library of Canada
2007
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| In: |
The journal of Hebrew scriptures
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| RelBib Classification: | HB Old Testament HD Early Judaism KDJ Ecumenism TC Pre-Christian history ; Ancient Near East |
| Further subjects: | B
Levi Document
B Talmûd bavlî B Dead Sea Scrolls B Aristeas Epistolographus Ad Philocratem B Josephus, Flavius (37-100) B Bible. Makkabäer 1. B High priest B Bible. Altes Testament Septuaginta B Bible. Nehemia 7,63-65 B Bible. Pentateuch Pentateuch der Samaritaner B Temple B Sirach B Hecataeus Abderita B Bible. Ezra 2,61-63 B Temple Scroll |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | According to TB Yoma 21b, the urim and the thummim and the spirit of prophecy were among the things missing from the Second Temple. According to Ezra 2:61–63 (Neh.7:63–65), they were missing from the time of the return. Josephus suggests, however, that the urim and thummim stopped shining, that is they ceased to function, only around 104 BCE, about the time of John Hyrcanus' death. According to Josephus, then, second temple high priests consulted urim and thummim. To decide between these two claims, we examine second temple texts dated to the period before Hyrcanus' death. These texts confirm Josephus and suggest that the contemporary high priest may have used urim and thummim as an oracular device. |
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| ISSN: | 1203-1542 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The journal of Hebrew scriptures
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.5508/jhs.2007.v7.a3 |