Definition: And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Ezra 2:63. It’s a really important part of understanding how God dealt with a situation in ancient Israel. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: Imagine that after a period of time, there was a severe problem – a plague or a disaster – that caused the people to be upset and disgusted with religious objects (the “most holy things”). They were so worried about impurity that they stopped worshipping God properly. What Ezra Says: Ezra, a leader in Israel, is telling the people what must happen next. He says: "And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim." Let's unpack it piece by piece: “The Tirshatha”: This is just a name – it’s a way of referring to a leader or person involved in this situation. “said unto them…”: Ezra is speaking directly to the people. “that they should not eat of the most holy things…” This is the core message. It means that they must stop using or worshipping those sacred objects – like altars, statues, and special rituals – until a specific role is established. Basically, they need to return to the proper way of worshiping God. “till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.” This is where it gets more complex and important. This describes a very special and crucial position: Urim: Think of this as a “light” or “clarity” – a way for priests to receive divine guidance and understanding about God’s will. It's like having a magnifying glass that allows them to see what’s right and true. Thummim: This is another tool, kind of like a special key. It helped the priests understand the meaning of things – the proper rituals and how to interpret God's word. So, putting it all together… Ezra was telling the people that they needed to be guided by priests who had a special ability to understand God’s will and what was right to do. These priests would have access to a “light” – Urim – and a "key" - Thummim – to help them interpret God’s instructions correctly and act according to His will. Why is this important? This passage highlights the importance of: Divine Guidance: Relying on God's word and guidance, rather than just personal interpretation. Specialized Roles: Recognizing that certain people are ordained to have a special role in maintaining religious purity and understanding. Trust & Obedience: It emphasizes the need for people to trust in God’s plan and follow His instructions. In short, Ezra's instruction was a way to ensure that worship and rituals were done correctly and with a clear understanding of what God wanted. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you an example of how Urim and Thummim might have been used in ancient Israel? Discuss the significance of this passage within the context of the Old Testament story?