The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.
Parallel translations
- WEB The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.
- KJV The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
- 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.
- 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 settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
- Acts 1:26They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
- Jonah 1:7They all said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know who is responsible for this evil that is on us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
- Prov 29:26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.
- 1 Sam 14:41–42Therefore Saul said to Yahweh, the God of Israel, “Show the right.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen, but the people escaped.
- Neh 11:1The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.
- Josh 7:14“‘In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. It shall be that the tribe which Yahweh selects shall come near by families. The family which Yahweh selects shall come near by households. The household which Yahweh selects shall come near man by man.
- Josh 18:5They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall live in his borders on the south, and the house of Joseph shall live in their borders 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 18:10Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Yahweh. There Joshua divided the land to 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.