God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 16:33
33The dice are thrown, but the Lord determines every outcome.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
Context of Proverbs 16:33
31Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life. 32Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city. The dice are thrown, but the Lord determines every outcome.
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 must be divided by drawing lots. The tribes will receive their land based on the names of their ancestors.
- Joshua 7:14In the morning come forward by tribes ⌞to the tent of meeting⌟. The tribe the Lord selects will come forward by families. Then the family the Lord selects will come forward by households, and the household the Lord selects will come forward man by man.
- Joshua 18:5They will divide the land into seven parts. Judah will stay within its territory in the south, and Joseph’s descendants will stay within their territory in the north.
- 1 Samuel 14:41Then Saul said to the Lord, “O God of Israel, why didn’t you answer me today? If this sin is mine or my son Jonathan’s, Lord God of Israel, ⌞let the priest⌟ draw Urim. But if it is in your people Israel, ⌞let him⌟ draw Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were chosen, and the people were freed ⌞from guilt⌟.
- Nehemiah 11:1The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people drew lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city. The remaining nine-tenths were supposed to live in the other cities.
- Jonah 1:7Then the sailors said to each other, “Let’s throw dice to find out who is responsible for bringing this disaster on us.” So they threw dice, and the dice indicated that Jonah was responsible.
- Acts 1:26They drew names to choose an apostle. Matthias was chosen and joined 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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