Yale Bulletin and Calendar

November 15, 2002|Volume 31, Number 11

The Hebrew phrase on the Yale shield traces its origins to the Breastplate of Judgment mentioned in the Book of Exodus, which may have been decorated with the rocks and gems such as these.

Display looks at 'Rocks, Gems and the Yale Seal'

The origin of the Hebrew phrase depicted on the Yale shield is the focus of the newest Curator's Choice Exhibition at the Peabody Museum of Natural History.

The display, "Digging for Meaning: Rocks, Gems & the Yale Seal," was organized by Jay Ague, associate professor of geology and geophysics and curator of mineralogy at the Peabody.

The small exhibit in the lobby of the Peabody Museum looks at the history of the Hebrew phrase "Urim V'Thummim" which is written across the open book pictured in the Yale shield. A banner below carries the Latin translation of this phrase, "Lux et Veritas" or "Light and Truth."

The Yale shield has been in use since 1736, but the phrase "Urim V'Thummim" has origins "that stretch back thousands of years to ancient rocks, minerals and gems in the time of Moses," writes Ague in the text of the exhibit.

"According to the Book of Exodus, the Urim and Thummim were kept in an interior fold or compartment of the Breastplate of Judgment worn by the High Priest of the ancient Israelites," notes the Yale geologist. "The Breastplate was used to reveal divine answers to important questions facing the entire community, such as whether or not to go to war."

The geologist points out that Yale Professor Emeritus W.W. Hallo and others believe the Urim were light-colored rocks ("probably alabaster") and the Thummim were dark-colored stones ("probably made mostly of hematite").

"The High Priest would pose a question and then draw lots by pulling out Urim and Thummim from the Breastplate," says Ague. "The answer to the question would be given by color. For example, the light-colored Urim could have meant 'no' and the dark Thummim 'yes.'"

The breastplate itself was set with 12 precious stones, each engraved with one of the names of the 12 tribes of Israel, notes the Yale scholar, adding there is still debate over which kinds of stones were used.

"Digging for Meaning" shows examples of the kinds of stones that might have been used, including diamond, ruby and amethyst, as well as alabaster, hematite and gold. These specimens, most of which have not been exhibited before, are from the Peabody's mineral collection.

The Peabody Museum of Natural History is open to the public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year's Eve and Day, and July 4. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children ages 3-15 and seniors age 65 and over; and free for museum associates and Yale community members with a valid I.D. For further information, call (203) 432-5050 or visit the website at www.peabody.yale.edu.

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