In 2005 Wikipedia's first sentence called it “divination medium or process used by ancient hebrews”. Today it says “elements of the hoshen”.
Measured, not asserted. Every count, date and revision on this page was taken from Wikipedia's own history and checked against the live article. The words quoted are theirs.
Machine-checked against the full current article on 2026-08-03.
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The opening as it read in 2005
Urim and Thummim For the ancient city of Urim see Ur . Urim and Thummim (in Hebrew Urim VeTumim , אורים ותמים , Tiberian Hebrew ʾÛrîm wəṮummîm , Standard Hebrew אורים ותומים Urim vəTummim ; Arabic اوريم وتميم Ūrīm waṮummīm ) — typically translated as "lights and perfections" or "revelation and truth" — were a divination medium or process used by ancient Hebrews (usually Israelites ) in revealing the will of God on a contested point of view or other problem.1
This is Wikipedia's own text, saved in our repository. Their copy of it is revision 17902556.
The opening as it stood in 2010 2 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
In ancient Israelite religion and culture, Urim and Thummim ( , Standard haʾUrim vəhaTummim Tiberian hāʾÛrîm wəhatTummîm ) is a phrase from the Hebrew Bible associated with the Hoshen ( High Priest's breastplate), divination in general, and cleromancy in particular.Most scholars suspect that the phrase refers to specific objects involved in the divination.Peake's commentary on the Bible
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 369192208.
The opening as it stood in 2015
In the Hebrew Bible , the Urim and Thummim ( , Standard haʾUrim vəhaTummim Tiberian hāʾÛrîm wəhatTummîm ) are associated with the hoshen ( High Priest's breastplate), divination in general, and cleromancy in particular. Most scholars suspect that the phrase refers to specific objects involved in the divination. Peake's commentary on the Bible
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 664411372.
The opening as it stood in 2020 1 passage from the previous snapshot no longer appear
Elements of the breastplate worn by the Jewish High Priest "Urim" redirects here.In the Hebrew Bible , the Urim and the Thummim ( , Standard ha-Urim veha-Tummim Tiberian hāʾÛrîm wəhatTummîm ; meaning uncertain, possibly "Lights and Perfections") are elements of the hoshen , the breastplate worn by the High Priest attached to the ephod .They are connected with divination in general, and cleromancy in particular.Most scholars suspect that the phrase refers to a set of two objects used by the high priest to answer a question or reveal the will of God.The Urim and the Thummim first appear in Exodus 28:30, where they are named for inclusion on the breastplate to be worn by Aaron in the holy place.Other books, especially 1 Samuel , describe their use in divination.A Commentary on the Bible , ed.
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 964759668.
The opening as it stood on October 6, 2023 1 passage from the previous snapshot no longer appear
Elements of the breastplate worn by the Jewish High Priest "Urim" redirects here. In the Hebrew Bible , the Urim ( ʾŪrīm , "lights") and the Thummim ( Tummīm , meaning uncertain, possibly "perfections") are elements of the hoshen , the breastplate worn by the High Priest attached to the ephod .They are connected with cleromancy (with divination by casting lots). Most scholars suspect that the phrase refers to a set of two objects used by the high priest to answer a question or reveal the will of God. The Urim and the Thummim first appear in Exodus 28:30, where they are named for inclusion on the breastplate to be worn by Aaron in the holy place. Other books, especially 1 Samuel , describe their uses. A Commentary on the Bible , ed.
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 1177740441.
The opening as it stood in 2025 4 passages from the previous snapshot no longer appear
Objects used for divination in the early Abrahamic religions "Urim" redirects here.In the Hebrew Bible , the Urim ( Hebrew : אוּרִים ʾŪrīm , "lights") and the Thummim ( Hebrew : תֻּמִּים Tummīm , "perfection" or "truth") are elements of the hoshen , the breastplate worn by the High Priest attached to the ephod , a type of apron or garment.The pair are used frequently in the Old Testament , in Exodus 28:30 through God's instruction to Aaron on how to adorn his breastplate worn in the holy place; in 1 Samuel 14:41 by King Saul to determine who was at fault for breaking the army's fast; and Ezra 2 to determine whether those who claimed to be the descendants of the priests of Israel were truly of that class.The Urim and Thummim are sometimes connected by scholars with cleromancy (with divination by casting lots), although it is equally likely no casting was physically done, and the participants of Lights and Perfection waited for a sign to answer a question or reveal the will of God. A commentary on the Bible .
Red text was written in or rewritten since the previous snapshot. Their copy is revision 1294159632. This is our newest snapshot; the live article may have moved again since.
Today
In 2005 Wikipedia's first sentence called it “divination medium or process used by ancient hebrews”. Today it says “elements of the hoshen”. Read the current article and compare.
2005
2010
2015
2020
Oct '23
2025
Counts in the opening at each snapshot. Green: the word gained ground. Red: it was cut. Grey: no change.
What Wikipedia says this is
Every article opens by defining its subject. This one was redefined since 2005, and today's defining sentence is their current revision.
Then
divination medium or process used by ancient hebrews
Now
elements of the hoshen
Struck red text is no longer in the article; dotted amber text was rewritten. Every revision id links to Wikipedia's copy; the text shown is our own saved copy. Data: /data. Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA; quoted for the record; not affiliated with Wikipedia.
