Biblical Hebrew Forum

[ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk (Ben Crick)]

On Mon  1 Feb 99 , klbarney AT yahoo.com wrote:
> "A question for the Hebrew literate. We have the expression in English
> that  things are "black and white" using the opposition between the
> colors as  indicative of the separation of two other concepts. Is there
> any idiom used in Biblical Hebrew that conveys that same meaning?"

 Kevin:

 I would suggest the Urim and Thummim: Ha'uWRiYM W:HaTTuMMiYM (Lights and
 Perfections?). It seems to have been two plates or tablets, black on one
 side and white on the other. When the High Priest wished to consult the
 U&T, he would pray for a perfect lot (1 Samuel 14:41), then draw out the
 Urim and Thummim. See Exodus 28:30, Leviticus 8:8, Deuteronomy 33:8, Ezra
 2:63, Nehemiah 7:65.

 Two Lights (whites) was a Yes; two Darks was a No. One of each was
 indeterminate; an imperfect lot (1 Samuel 28:6).

 Shalom,
 Ben
-- 
 Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
 <ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk>
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