New International 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.
- 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.
- 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 splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. 32Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one 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 26:55Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. What each group inherits will be according to the names for its ancestral tribe.
- Joshua 7:14“ ‘In the morning, present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe the Lord chooses shall come forward clan by clan; the clan the Lord chooses shall come forward family by family; and the family the Lord chooses shall come forward man by man.
- Joshua 18:5You are to divide the land into seven parts. Judah is to remain in its territory on the south and the tribes of Joseph in their territory on the north.
- 1 Samuel 14:41Then Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Why have you not answered your servant today? If the fault is in me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the men of Israel are at fault, respond with Thummim.” Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, and the men were cleared.
- Nehemiah 11:1Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns.
- Jonah 1:7Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
- Acts 1:26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to 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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