'Lots' in the Bible

Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord, the other lot for the scapegoat.

You shall describe the land in seven divisions, and bring the description here to me. I will cast lots for you here before the Lord our God.

So the men arose and went [on their way], and Joshua commanded those who went to describe the land, saying, “Go and walk throughout the land and describe it, and return to me; and I will cast lots for you here before the Lord in Shiloh.”

Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord, and there Joshua divided the land to the sons of Israel, [to each tribe] according to their portions.

Saul said, “Cast [lots] between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.

The lots fell, the first one to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,

These also cast lots as did their relatives the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites—the head of father’s households as well as those of his younger brother.

The musicians cast lots for their duties, everyone alike, the small (younger) as well as the great (older), the teacher as well as the student.

They cast lots, the small (younger) and great (older) alike, in accordance with their fathers’ households, for every gate.

The lot for the east [gates] fell to Shelemiah. They cast lots also for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the north [gates].

We have also cast lots—the priests, the Levites, and the people—for [contributing] the supply of wood, to bring it to the house of our God, according to our fathers’ households, at set times annually, to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law;

Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem; but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one [person] out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities.

In the first month, the month of Nisan (Mar-Apr), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Haman cast Pur, that is, the lot, cast before him day after day [to find a lucky day to approach the king], month after month, until the twelfth month, the month of Adar (Feb-Mar).

“You would cast lots (gamble) over the fatherlessAnd bargain away your friend.

They divide my clothing among themAnd cast lots for my garment.

To cast lots puts an end to quarrelsAnd decides between powerful contenders.

“Moreover, when you divide the land by lot for inheritance, you shall [set apart and] offer an allotment (contribution) to the Lord, a holy portion of the land [to be used for sacred purposes]. The length shall be 25,000 cubits, and the width shall be 20,000 cubits. It shall be holy (set apart for sacred use) within its every area.

“They have also cast lots for My people,And have traded a boy for a prostituteAnd have sold a girl for wine that they may drink.

“On the day that [Jerusalem was destroyed] you stood aloof [from your brother Jacob]—On the day that strangers took his forces captive and carried off his wealth,And foreigners entered his gatesAnd cast lots for Jerusalem [dividing the city for plunder]—You too were like one of them [collaborating with the enemy].

And they said to another, “Come, let us cast lots, so we may learn who is to blame for this disaster.” So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.

Yet she became an exile;She went into captivity.Her young children were dashed to piecesAt the head of every street;They cast lots for her honorable men,And all her great men were bound with chains.

And when they had crucified Him, they divided His clothes among them by casting lots.

And they crucified Him, and divided up His clothes among themselves, casting lots for them to see who should take what.

And Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing His clothes among themselves.

So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it will be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture, “They divided My outer clothing among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”

And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.