The term "chanced" in the context of the Bible refers to occurrences or events that happen seemingly by accident or without apparent design. In the biblical narrative, however, what appears as chance often unfolds within the divine providence and sovereign will of God. The concept of chance is understood within the framework of God's ultimate control over the universe, where nothing happens outside His knowledge and purpose.

Biblical References:

1. Ruth 2:3 : "So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech." In this passage, Ruth's arrival at Boaz's field is described as something that "happened" or "chanced." While it appears as a random occurrence, it is a pivotal moment in the divine plan for Ruth and Boaz, leading to their eventual marriage and Ruth's inclusion in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus Christ.

2. 1 Samuel 6:9 : "Watch it. If it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance." Here, the Philistines are determining whether the calamities they faced were acts of God or mere chance. The use of "chance" reflects their uncertainty about divine intervention versus random occurrence.

Theological Implications:

In the biblical worldview, what may seem like chance to human perception is often an expression of God's hidden purposes. The doctrine of providence asserts that God is actively involved in His creation, guiding and sustaining all things. This belief is rooted in passages such as Proverbs 16:33 : "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." This verse underscores the idea that even seemingly random events are under God's sovereign control.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of chance was often associated with the casting of lots or divination practices. However, the biblical narrative consistently emphasizes God's sovereignty over such practices. The Israelites were instructed to trust in God's guidance rather than rely on chance or fortune-telling, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:10-12, where divination is prohibited.

Practical Application:

For believers, the understanding of "chanced" events as part of God's providential plan encourages trust in His wisdom and timing. It reassures Christians that their lives are not subject to random fate but are held within the purposeful hands of a loving and sovereign God. This perspective invites believers to seek God's guidance in prayer and to remain faithful, knowing that He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28).

In summary, while the term "chanced" may suggest randomness, the biblical narrative reveals a deeper reality of divine orchestration, inviting believers to trust in God's perfect plan and timing.(imp. & p. p.) of Chance.

The Ecclesiastical Trial
... Only, if the sentence chanced to be a capital one, the case had to be re-tried by
the governor, and the carrying out of the sentence, if it was confirmed ...
/.../the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter ii the ecclesiastical trial.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... In these bags there chanced to be a kind of rope or, as it is called in Spanish,
soga, with which he was in the habit of fastening his satchel to the pony's ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 57.htm

Aubrey Leigh was a Man who had Chosen his Own Way of Life...
... And some "little rift within the lute" chanced to him, as it often chances to many,
so that the subtle music of his soul jarred into discord with the things of ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xviii aubrey leigh was a.htm

Acts xvii. 16, 17
... of tyrants was raised in our city"at that time I was but a youth"and all the soldiers
being set to watch without the city as it chanced, they were making ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxviii acts xvii 16.htm

Prefatory Note
... respectable! This squib was never printed by Borrow. I chanced to light upon
it recently in a packet of his as yet unpublished verse. The ...
/.../borrow/a supplementary chapter to the bible in spain/prefatory note.htm

The Olivet Message.
... A few of us who chanced to be near the captain on the smaller deck above, heard
him quietly say, "Turn on the searchlight." Almost instantly an intense white ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the olivet message.htm

For Eight Years Gregory Has Given up the Practice Of
... Besides, it is now eight years since I chanced myself to utter or compose any speech,
whether long or short; neither in that period have I heard any other ...
/.../argument i for eight years gregory.htm

Beasts Similarly Subject to the Law of Mutation.
... In short, they tell us that Mercury, when among them, delighted with the softness
of a ram which he had chanced to stroke, flayed a little ewe; and, while he ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iii beasts similarly subject to.htm

Passing, Too, from Examples of Enduring Constancy Having Such an ...
... How often have wild beasts torn men in pieces, it may be in their own forests, or
it may be in the heart of cities, when they have chanced to escape from their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad martyras/chapter vi passing too from.htm

Brorson's Swan-Song
... If he chanced to hear a popular song with a pleasing tune, he often adopted
it to his own words, and sang it in the family circle. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter ten brorsons swan-song.htm

Chanced (3 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Chance. Multi-Version Concordance Chanced (3 Occurrences). ... (DBY).
2 Samuel 18:9 And Absalom chanced to meet the servants of David. ...
/c/chanced.htm - 7k

Chancellor (3 Occurrences)

/c/chancellor.htm - 8k

Chance (78 Occurrences)
... 22:6). Both the above Hebrew words are combined in the statement "As I happened
by chance upon Mount Gilboa" (2 Samuel 1:6). "And Absalom chanced to meet the ...
/c/chance.htm - 37k

Allotment (24 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:3 And she went; and she came and gleaned in the fields after the reapers;
and she chanced to light on an allotment of Boaz, who was of the family of ...
/a/allotment.htm - 14k

Absalom's (16 Occurrences)
... to Jerusalem. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS NIV). 2 Samuel 18:9 And
Absalom chanced to meet the servants of David. And Absalom ...
/a/absalom's.htm - 12k

Terebinth (15 Occurrences)
... a bottle of wine: (See JPS). 2 Samuel 18:9 And Absalom chanced to meet the
servants of David. And Absalom was riding upon his mule ...
/t/terebinth.htm - 15k

Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)
... to rise to the greatness of his opportunities, and his kingdom degenerated into
a mere military monarchy, never stronger than the ruler who chanced to occupy ...
/j/jeroboam.htm - 62k

Hanging (82 Occurrences)
... with Abner's body in Hebron. (BBE). 2 Samuel 18:9 And Absalom chanced to
meet the servants of David. And Absalom was riding upon ...
/h/hanging.htm - 35k

Fields (199 Occurrences)
... Ruth 2:3 And she went; and she came and gleaned in the fields after the reapers;
and she chanced to light on an allotment of Boaz, who was of the family of ...
/f/fields.htm - 37k

Chanced: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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