“The Urim and Thummim”
And place the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece of judgment, so that they will also be over Aaron's heart whenever he comes before the LORD. (Exodus 28:30 BSB)
What it sounds like today
Two mysterious ceremonial objects with no explanation.
The cultural key
The Urim and Thummim were a means of seeking God's guidance, apparently a form of sacred lot the high priest carried in the fold of his breastpiece and used to obtain yes-or-no or either-or answers on the nation's behalf. Their physical form is never described and the words are obscure, often translated 'lights and perfections.' They belong to a world where divine decisions were sought through casting lots, a practice the Bible treats as legitimate before their use quietly fades from the story.
Recovered meaning
Israel's high priest carried, over his heart, a God-given way to ask for direction when the path was unclear. The details are lost to us, but they witness to a time when guidance was sought by sacred lot before prophets and Scripture took the lead.