Lot

LOT, Sors; in Hebrew, Goral; in Greek Kleros, in Persian, Pur; whence the Feast Purim, or the Feast of Lots is denominated. We see the Use of Lots in very many Places of the Scripture. God commands for Example¹, that Lots should be cast upon the two Goats, which were offered for the Sins of the Multitude, upon the solemn Day of Numb. xxvi. 55, 56 xxxiii. 54. xxxiv. 13, &c. Joshua xiv, xv, xvi. 1 Chr. vi. 54, 61. 1 Chr. xxiv. xxv. Obad. i. 11. Nahum iii. 10, &c. John xix. 24, 25. Psalm xxii. 18. Acts i. 26.Expiation, in Order to know which of the two should be sacrificed, and which set at Liberty. He required also that the Land of Promise should be divided by Lot, as soon as it was conquered; which Joshua executed accordingly. The Priests and Levites in like Manner had such Cities given them as fell by Lot to them. Lastly, in the Time of David, the four and twenty Classes of the Priests and Levites were distributed by Lot, to determine in what Order they should wait in the Temple. In the Division of the Spoil after Victory, Lots were cast likewise, in Order to distribute to every one his Portion. In the New Testament the Soldiers drew Lots for Jesus Christ’s Garments, as had been foretold by the Prophet. Lastly, after the Death of Judas, Lots were cast to decide which of the three Persons who were chosen, should succeed the Traitor .

As to the Manner of casting Lots, we do not see that it is described clearly in the Scripture, and Interpreters do not agree about it, for several Methods were made Use of. Prov. xvi. 33.Solomon in the Proverbs points out one, The Lot is cast into the Lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Lots therefore were cast either into some Person’s Lap, into an Helmet, or an earthen Vessel, or a Vessel made of some other Matter; there they were shook together, and afterwards cast or drawn: But all this, it is very probable, might depend upon the Inclination and Will of those who were concerned.

Prov. xviii. 18. Esther iii. 7, &c.The Use of Lots in itself is not prohibited by the Law, for God even enjoins it upon some Occasions, and the most holy Persons both in the Old and New Testament in particular Cases have practised it. The wise Man acknowledges the Usefulness of this Custom in these Words. The Lot causeth Contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. But it cannot be denied that casting Lots is sometimes forbidden; for Example, when it is practised without Necessity, or with a Spirit of Superstition, or with a Design of tempting God, and in Things wherein there are other natural Means of discovering Truth; lastly, when Reason and Religion furnish us with other Ways to determine us². Haman, for Example, used Lots not only out of Superstition, but likewise in an unjust and criminal Matter, when he undertook to destroy the Jews in the Kingpom of Persia. Nebuchadnezzar likewise did so in a superstitious Manner, when being upon the Way to Jerusalem, and Rabbath of the Ammonites, he cast Lots to determine which of the two Cities he should go to. The Mariners who Ezek. xxi. 18, 19. Jonah i, 7.had Jonah in their Vessel tempted God, by drawing Lots to know whence the Tempest came with which they were overtaken. The Storm might be natural, and it was very possible that all of them were culpable. Lastly, God was not obliged to discover to them by Lots who was the guilty Person. See our Dissertation upon Elections by casting Lots, prefixed to the Acts of the Apostles.

Lot, is taken likewise for Inheritance. For Example, Come up with me into my Lot, Judg. i. 3. Ps. xv. 5. Ps. cxxv. 3.into my Inheritance: Lord, thou maintainest my Lot: And again, The Rod of the Wicked shall not rest upon the Lot of the Righteous, upon the Inheritance of thy Servants.

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