Proverbs 18:18

The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) The lot causeth contentions to cease, as being the judgment of God (Proverbs 16:33).

And parteth between the mighty, who would otherwise settle their differences by blows.

Benson Commentary

Proverbs 18:18. The lot causeth contentions to cease — By determining the matters in difference; and parteth between the mighty — Maketh a partition, and giveth to each of the contending parties what is right or meet, by the order and disposition of divine providence. It parteth also between mean persons, but he mentions the mighty, because they are most prone to contention, and most fierce and obstinate in it, and most capable of doing great mischief to themselves and others by it, and therefore they most need this remedy.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

18:17. It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves. 18. It was customary sometimes to refer matters to God, by casting lots, with solemn prayer. The profaning the lot, by using it in matters of diversion, or coveting what belongs to others, forms an objection to this now.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Compare Proverbs 16:33 note. A tacit appeal to the Divine Judge gave a fairer prospect of a just decision than corruption Proverbs 18:16 or hasty onesidedness Proverbs 18:17.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. The lot—whose disposal is of God (Pr 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Causeth contentions to cease, by determining the matters in difference.

Parteth; maketh a partition, giveth to every one what is right or meet, by the disposition of Divine Providence.

Between the mighty; so it doth also between mean persons, but he mentions the mighty because they are most prone to contention, and most fierce and intractable in it, and most capable of doing great mischief to themselves and others by it, and therefore they most need this remedy.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The lot causeth contentions to cease,.... When a case cannot be determined among parties at variance in a private way, nor in a court of judicature, the lot is cast, and that puts an end to all strife, and makes each party easy; they submit to it, and acquiesce in it;

and parteth between the mighty; the kings and princes of the earth; men of great power and authority, and of great riches and affluence; and so in a capacity of contending with each other, and of prolonging the contention, which may be attended with bad consequences; and who are not easily dissuaded from it: or it may intend such who most vehemently disagree; persons of great spirits, who are obstinate and stubborn, and will by no means yield, and there is no parting them by arguments or legal decisions; these the lot parts, and causes them to cease from their quarrels and contentions, and to rest satisfied with the distributions the lot makes to them; as the children of Israel were with their portion of the land of Canaan, assigned them by lot.

Geneva Study Bible

The lot {l} causeth contentions to cease, and {m} parteth between the mighty.

(l) If a controversy cannot otherwise be decided, it is best to cast lots to know whose the thing will be.

(m) Appeases their controversy, who are so stout that they cannot otherwise be pacified.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18 - The lot causeth contentions to cease (comp. Proverbs 16:33). If this verse is taken in connection with the preceding, it refers to the decision in doubtful cases, where the evidence is conflicting and ordinary investigation fails to elicit the truth satisfactorily. The lot, being considered to show the judgment of God, settled the question. And parteth between the mighty. If it were not for the decision by lot, persons of eminence and power would settle their differences by violent means. This peaceful solution obviates all such contentions. The Septuagint, in place of "lot" (κλῆρος), reads now σιγηρός, "silent;" but it is evidently originally a clerical error, perpetuated by copyists. The error is noted by a second hand in the margin of the Sinaitic Manuscript. Proverbs 18:18

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

18 The lot allayeth contentions,

     And separateth between the mighty,

i.e., erects a partition wall between them - those contending (הפריד בּין, as at 2 Kings 2:11, cf. Arab. frḳ byn); עצוּמים are not opponents who maintain their cause with weighty arguments (עצּמות, Isaiah 41:21), qui argumentis pollent (vid., Rashi), for then must the truth appear in the pro et contra; but mighty opponents, who, if the lot did not afford a seasonable means of reconciliation, would make good their demands by blows and by the sword (Fl.). Here it is the lot which, as the judgment of God, brings about peace, instead of the ultima ratio of physical force. The proverb refers to the lot what the Epistle to the Heb; Hebrews 6:16, refers to the oath, vid., at Proverbs 16:33. Regarding מדינים and its altered forms, vid., p. 145.