* Urim and Thummim] signifie light and perfection, according to their best derivation in the Hebrew Tongue; and they are put in the Plurall number, lights, and perfections; to note the plenty, as well as the excellencie of divine graces. This was meant, as some conceive, of the splendor and perfection of the precious stones, of the breast-plate: which were of most cleare and perfect beautie: but that is not all; for besides that, these words were ingraven, or written upon some of the precious materials of the High-priests ornaments; neither made, nor placed by the inspired Artificers, but (as some learned Writers rather thinke, by the comparison of Exo 39:10. Leviticus 8:8.) made by God himselfe, and put by Moses into the Breastplate. It was called the Breast-plate of judgement, vers. 15. and the judgement of Urim, Numbers 27:21. because the Highpriest put it on when he consulted with God, and received from him cleare and determinate answers in cases of doubt; which were sometimes made by audible voyce; sometimes by secret inspiration; which when he had told it to the people, the stones and letters in the Breast-plate (as is probably conceived, for there is nothing certaine of it in the Scripture) might have an extraordinary brightnesse, appearing on them for assurance that the Priest had spoken with the Lord, and received resolution from him; as by the shining of Moses his face when he came from God, with the Tables of the Testimony in his hand, Exod. 34. 29, 30. it was manifest that he had from God, what he brought unto the people: and whereas David being to consult with the Lord, called for the Ephod, 1 Samuel 23:9. the reason was, for that the Breast-plate was fastened to the Ephod, vers. 28. and the Ephod to the Breast-plate: so that if he had one, he had both, Exodus 39:21. This oraculous consulation with the Breast-plate, that is, by the use of the Breast-plate, continued among the Jewes untill about, or somewhat above one hundred yeares before Christ, as some affirme; but it is generally, and more probably thought, that it lasted no longer then to the Captivitie of Babylon: (for which see Ezra 2:63.) and after that time we finde not, that the Jews had any use of that kinde of revelation. Leviticus 8:8. Ezr. 2. 63. Nehemiah 7:65.