Hebrew on Yale University’s Seal

Question: Would you explain the relationship of the Hebrew and the Latin on the Yale University Seal? Why did Yale use Hebrew on its seal? (Larry Reba)

Answer: For many years Yale did discriminate against Jews attending the university, so this is a very good question.

The Yale seal has both the Hebrew, Urim v'Tummim written on the book and the Latin, Lux Veritas on the banner below.

The way most modern scholars have translated both the Hebrew and the Latin is "Light and Truth."

The words Urim v'Tummim in Hebrew are first described as being put into the sacred breastplate of the High Priest in the book of Exodus. Scholars have debated as to not only how the exact words have been translated; but also what they were meant to mean.

Urim means "lights." Tummim is unclear. It might be "just" or "right" or it could be "innocent."

Various translations:

Theodotion: "Lights and Perfections"

Septuagint: "brightness and perfection"

Vulgate: "Teaching and Truth" of "Doctrine and Truth"

Some view the translation to be something more allegorical: "Revelations and Truth", as relating to the giving of the Mitzvot at Sinai.

The reason Hebrew is emblazon upon the Yale seal has been attributed to the eighteenth century president of Yale, Ezra Stiles. Stiles was the professor of Semitic languages and delivered his first commencement address in September 1781 in Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic. He insisted Yale students study Hebrew. Valedictorians in 1785 and 1792 did deliver their speeches in Hebrew.