Lev 8:8 | TNotes | STEP | 8:8 The chestpiece (see Exod 28:15-30 ) was made of embroidered linen folded double. It bore twelve stones, each engraved with the name of a tribe of Israel. It was suspended over the heart by a gold chain from the gold shoulder-pieces of the ephod. • The Urim and the Thummim were placed in the pocket of the chestpiece (Exod 28:30 ; 1 Sam 23:9-12 ; 30:7-8 ); the precise function of these items is uncertain. They are generally thought of as two stones, perhaps each different in color, that were cast as lots. They apparently could give a positive, neutral, or negative answer to questions that could not otherwise be resolved (Exod 28:30 ; Num 27:21 ; 1 Sam 28:6 ). Their mention in Old Testament prophetic literature written centuries later (Ezra 2:63 ; Neh 7:65 ) demonstrates how important these items were to the office of priest.

a8:8►

bExod 28:15-30►

cExod 28:30►

d1 Sam 23:9-12►

e30:7-8►

fExod 28:30►

gNum 27:21►

h1 Sam 28:6►

iEzra 2:63►

jNeh 7:65►

‏ Leviticus 8:8

8:8 ^a The chestpiece (see Exod 28:15-30 ^b) was made of embroidered linen folded double. It bore twelve stones, each engraved with the name of a tribe of Israel. It was suspended over the heart by a gold chain from the gold shoulder-pieces of the ephod.

• The Urim and the Thummim were placed in the pocket of the chestpiece (Exod 28:30 ^c; 1 Sam 23:9-12 ^d; 30:7-8 ^e); the precise function of these items is uncertain. They are generally thought of as two stones, perhaps each different in color, that were cast as lots. They apparently could give a positive, neutral, or negative answer to questions that could not otherwise be resolved (Exod 28:30 ^f; Num 27:21 ^g; 1 Sam 28:6 ^h). Their mention in Old Testament prophetic literature written centuries later (Ezra 2:63 ⁱ; Neh 7:65 ^j) demonstrates how important these items were to the office of priest.