The _third degree_, was _Urim_ and _Thummim_. _Urim_ signifieth light, and _Thummim_ perfection. That they were two ornaments in the _High-priests brest-plate_, is generally agreed upon: but what manner of ornaments, or how they gave answer, is hard to resolve. Some[490] think them to be the four rows of stones in the brest-plate, the _splendour and brightness_ of which foreshewed victory; and by the rule of contraries, we may gather, that the _darkness of the stones_ not shining presaged evil. Others[491] say it was the name _Jehovah_ put in the doubling of the brest-plate, for that was double _Exod. 28. 16._ Others[492] declare the manner of consulting with _Urim_ and _Thummim_ thus: First, they say[493] that only the _King_, or else the _Father of the Consistory_ had power to consult, or to propose the matter unto the _Priest_, and the _Priest_ only had power to resolve. _Secondly_, that the matter proposed must not be trivial, but of moment and great difficulty. _Thirdly_, that this holy writing, termed _Urim_ and _Thummim_, consisted of all the _Tribes names_, and likewise of the _Patriarchs_, _Abraham_, _Isaac_ and _Jacob_; so that no letter of the _Alphabet_ was wanting. The question being proposed, some say that the letters which gave the answer were כולמות (_i._) _they did arise_ and _eminently appear above the others_. An example they take from _2 Sam. 2. 1._ When _David_ asked the Lord, Shall I go up into any of the Cities of _Judah_? the Lord answered, עלה _Gnaleh_, _go up_. Here, say they, ע appeared out of the name of שמעין _Schimeon_, ל out of the name of לוי _Levi_, ה out of the name of יהודה _Jehudah_. Others say, that the letters which represented the Oracle were מצטדפות (_i._) that they did after a strange manner _joyn themselves into perfect syllables_ and entire words, and made the answer compleat. Many other opinions might be reckoned up, but he spoke best, who ingenuously confessed that he knew not what _Urim_ and _Thummim_ was.[494]
[491] _R. Solom. quemadmodum refert D. Kimchi in radic._
[492] _Talmud. in Jonah c. 6. vid. P. Fagium in Exod. 28._
The fourth degree was בת קול _Bath Kol_, _filia vocis_, _the Daughter of a Voice_, or an _Eccho_; by it is meant a _voice from heaven declaring the will of God_; it took place in the _second Temple_, when the three former degrees of Prophecy ceased: it gave testimony of our Saviour; Lo, a _voice from heaven_, saying, _This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased_ _Mat. 3. 17._ It was in truth the _Prologue_, _Preface_, or _type of that true voice of the Father_, that _eternal word which revealed his Fathers will unto mankind_.