English Standard Version
Proverbs 16:33
33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:33 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
- New International Version (NIV)The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.
- New Living Translation (NLT)We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
Context of Proverbs 16:33
31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. 32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Read all of Proverbs 16Proverbs 16:33 word by word
בַּ֭חֵיק יוּטַ֣ל אֶת־הַגּוֹרָ֑ל וּ֝מֵיְהוָ֗ה כָּל־מִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 16:33
- Numbers 26:55But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
- Joshua 7:14In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. And the tribe that the Lord takes by lot shall come near by clans. And the clan that the Lord takes shall come near by households. And the household that the Lord takes shall come near man by man.
- Joshua 18:5They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall continue in his territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall continue in their territory on the north.
- 1 Samuel 14:41Therefore Saul said, "O Lord God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If this guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, give Urim. But if this guilt is in your people Israel, give Thummim." And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped.
- Nehemiah 11:1Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns.
- Jonah 1:7And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
- Acts 1:26And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Commentaries on Proverbs 16:33
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 33The lot is cast into the lap - On the lot, see the note on Numbers 26:55. How far it may be proper now to put difficult matters to the lot, after earnest prayer and supplication, I cannot say. Formerly, it was both lawful and efficient; for after it was solemnly cast, the decision was taken as coming immediately from the Lord. It is still practiced, and its use is allowed even by writers on civil law. But those who need most to have recourse to the lot…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 33Disposing - Better, the judgment or sentence which depends upon the lot. The lots were thrown into the gathered folds of a robe, and then drawn out. Where everything seemed the merest chance, there the faithful Israelite teacher recognized the guidance of a higher will. Compare the case of Achan Joshua 7:18, and of Jonathan 1 Samuel 14:37-42. The process here described would seem to have been employed ordinarily in trials where the judges could not decide…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 33Verse 33 All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 33The lot is cast: These dice were not for gambling. God used them to reveal his will (Exodus 28:30; see also Joshua 14:2; 1 Samuel 10:17–27; 14:40–43).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3333. Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 16:33
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries