lot, lots

Objects the casting or drawing of which was a common method for determining the divine will in ancient Israel and in NT times. No detailed description of the actual procedures involved or of the precise nature of the instrument(s) used is offered in the Bible. Still, several momentous decisions involved the use of lots. Saul, Israel’s first king, was selected in this manner (1Sam 10:16-26), the conquered land was apportioned among the tribes by lot (Num 26:55; Josh 14:2), the identity of Achen as the thief of the spoil from Jericho was discovered by lot (Josh 7:14), and by this means Jonathan was found to be the (unwitting) violator of his father’s oath (1Sam 14:42). The ranks of Temple personnel were also determined by lot (1Chr 24:5; 1Chr 25:8; 1Chr 26:13; Luke 1:9). The soldiers who crucified Jesus divided up his possessions by lot (Matt 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24), and Matthias was chosen in this way to replace Judas among the twelve apostles (Acts 1:26).