Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7392 lots, casting of

7392 lots, casting of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7392 lots, casting of

A means of determining the will of God, prior to the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The casting of lots was also used by pagans for the same purpose. Such use reflects the belief that nothing occurred by chance.

Casting lots to determine the will of God

Proverbs 16:33

In the ministry of the high priest

Exodus 28:30 The “Urim and Thummim” were sacred lots maintained for the purpose of determining God's will. See also Leviticus 8:7-9; Leviticus 16:6-10; Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8; 1 Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:63 pp Nehemiah 7:65

To apportion land

Numbers 33:54 See also Numbers 26:54-56; Joshua 14:2; Joshua 18:10

To select individuals

1 Samuel 14:41-42 See also Joshua 7:14-18; Judges 20:9-10; 1 Samuel 10:20-21; Jonah 1:7

Acts 1:15-26

To assign priestly duties

1 Chronicles 24:5 See also 1 Chronicles 26:12-13; Nehemiah 10:34; Luke 1:8-9

To settle disputes

Proverbs 18:18

Casting lots as a means of divination

Ezekiel 21:21-22 See also Esther 3:7; Esther 9:24-27 The word “purim” is the plural of “pur” and means “lots”.

Casting lots as a means of distributing plunder

Joel 3:2-3 See also Nahum 3:10

Matthew 27:35 pp Mark 15:24 pp Luke 23:34 pp John 19:24 See also Psalm 22:18