The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Parallel translations
- WEB The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
- BSB The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
- NKJV The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.
- NASB The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.
- NLT We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Even the casting of lots, seemingly random, is decided by the Lord. It matters because nothing is truly chance; God sovereignly governs every outcome.
Overview
Closing the chapter's theme of divine sovereignty, this proverb affirms that what appears random, the lot, is in fact determined by Yahweh. God rules over all events, even those beyond human control. This assures believers that their lives rest in the hands of a sovereign God (cf. Acts 1:24-26).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Prov 18:18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
- Acts 1:26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
- Jonah 1:7And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
- Prov 29:26Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.
- 1 Sam 14:41–42Therefore Saul said unto the LORD God of Israel, Give a perfect lot. And Saul and Jonathan were taken: but the people escaped.
- Neh 11:1And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
- Josh 7:14In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.
- Josh 18:5And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.
- Num 26:55–65Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
- Josh 18:10And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 16:33 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.