Divining the Meaning of Yale’s Insignia

Ask any Yalie what the words Urim v’Thummim mean, and you’ll get a blank look. Ask the same Yalie what the Hebrew words on Yale’s shield means, and with relief the student will give you the wrong answer: “Why of course, it means ‘Light and Truth!’”

The mistake is understandable: Yale’s own website says the same thing, and the shield, which features the Hebrew words written on an open book—presumably a Bible—also has written below the book the familiar Latin for light and truth, “Lux et Veritas.” Part of the problem is that Urim v’Thummim (Leviticus 8:8) have about as much literal meaning as today’s brand names “Accenture” and “Levitra” in the sense that they are etymologically suggestive yet have no exact definition. The best one can do is “lights and perfections.” However, many authoritative Bible translations simply leave them as Urim v’Thummim.