New Living Translation
Proverbs 16:33
33We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
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
31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. 32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
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 you must assign the land by lot, and give land to each ancestral tribe according to the number of names on the list.
- Joshua 7:14“In the morning you must present yourselves by tribes, and the Lord will point out the tribe to which the guilty man belongs. That tribe must come forward with its clans, and the Lord will point out the guilty clan. That clan will then come forward, and the Lord will point out the guilty family. Finally, each member of the guilty family must come forward one by one.
- Joshua 18:5Let them divide the land into seven sections, excluding Judah’s territory in the south and Joseph’s territory in the north.
- 1 Samuel 14:41Then Saul prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, please show us who is guilty and who is innocent.” Then they cast sacred lots, and Jonathan and Saul were chosen as the guilty ones, and the people were declared innocent.
- Nehemiah 11:1The leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were.
- Jonah 1:7Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit.
- Acts 1:26Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
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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