Annie's "Casting Lots" Page


"And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them,
and upon my vesture did they cast lots."

~Matthew 27:35~


Below information is quoted from The Thomas Nelson Open Bible Study Notes.


Casting of Lots

"The casting of lots was a custom or rite used in ancient times to make important
decisions, much as we practice drawing straws or flipping a coin today. Several
examples of this practice occur in both the Old and New Testaments.

Lots were cast by the high priest to select the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement.
(Lev 16:8-10). This method was also used to divide the land of Canaan after its
conquest under Joshua (Num. 26:55,56; Josh. 14:2). Lots were cast to select
warriors to fight against the men of Gibeah (Judg. 20:9,10) and apparently to
choose Saul as the first king of Israel (1 Sam. 10:19-21). Sailors on the ship bound
for Tarshish with Jonah on board used lots to determine who had caused
the stormy seas (Jon 1:7).

In the New Testament, Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garments (Matt. 27:35). After
prayer, the apostles used lots to choose Matthias as successor to Judas (Acts 1: 24-26).

We can only speculate about what materials were used in the casting of lots. Some
scholars believe several stones, or perhaps precious gems, were cast from a clay jug.
Others connect the practice with Urim and Thummin, precious stones that were on,
by or in the breastplate of the high priest of Israel. The high priest used these stones
in making important decision, but it is not known exactly how this was done (Ex. 28:30).

"The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole
disposing thereof is of the LORD."

Proverbs 16:33 demonstrates above that casting lots was not considered magic,
because the decision was from the Lord. Despite this, there seems to be
little justification for this practice today. Since the coming of God's Holy
Spirit at Pentecost, we have had this ever-present resource to guide us in our
decision making. As enlightrened believ ers, we are urged to bring our needs to the
Father in prayer and rely on the direction of the Holy Spirit (John 14:13;15;16)."

Websters Dictionary tells us this about:
"casting lots":
{To cast lots}, to use or throw a die, or some other instrument, by
the unforeseen turn or position of which, an event is by previous agreement determined.
"drawing lots": {To draw lots}, to determine an event, or make a decision,
by drawing one thing from a number whose marks are concealed from the drawer.

What does the Bible say about "Casting Lots"?


When I did a Bible search for "lots" I found
30 verses.
When I did a search for "casting lots" there were
2 verses.

"And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments,
casting lots upon them, what every man should take."
~Mark 15:24~


Easton's Bible Dictionary - Lot
(Heb. goral, a "pebble"), a small stone used in casting lots (Numbers 33:54; Jonah 1:7).
The lot was always resorted to by the Hebrews with strictest reference to the
interposition of God, and as a method of ascertaining the divine will (
Proverbs 16:33),
and in serious cases of doubt (
Esther 3:7). Thus the lot was used at the division of
the land of Canaan among the serveral tribes (
Numbers 26:55; 34:13), at the
detection of Achan (
Joshua 7:14,18), the election of Saul to be king
(
1 Samuel 10:20,21), the distribution of the priestly offices of the temple service
(
1 Chronicles 24:3,5,19; Luke 1:9), and over the two goats at the feast of
Atonement (
Leviticus 16:8). Matthias, who was "numbered with the eleven"
(
Acts 1:24-26), was chosen by lot.


Smith's Bible Dictionary --- Lot
(literally a pebble ). The custom of deciding doubtful questions by lot is one of
great extent and high antiquity. Among the Jews lots were used with the
expectation that God would so control them as to give a right direction to them.
They were very often used by God’s appointment. "As to the mode of casting lots,
we have no certain information. Probably several modes were practiced." "Very
commonly among the Latins little counters of wood were put into a jar with so
narrow a neck that only one could come out at a time. After the jar had been
filled with water and the contents shaken, the lots were determined by the order
in which the bits of wood, representing the several parties, came out with the
water. in other cases they were put into a wide open jar, and the counters
were drawn out by the hand. Sometimes again they were cast in the manner
of dice. The soldiers who cast lots for Christ’s garments undoubtedly
used these dice." --Lyman Abbott.


Nave's Topical Bible has a section on "The Lot"


Here are some Bible Study Pages for you to check out:
EBD - Scapegoat; Divination; Goat; High Priest, The; Lot; Scape-goat, The;
Scapegoat; Lot, the; NTB - Scapegoat


Casting Lots Links:
Casting Of Lots
John MacArthur Jr., of Grace Community - Gambling Sermon with Casting Lots reference.
Chapter 7- At Night in the Temple - Casting Lots in the Temple Days

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