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Proverbs 16:33 — Word Study

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WLCבַּ֭חֵיק יוּטַ֣ל אֶת־ הַגּוֹרָ֑ל וּ֝מֵיְהוָ֗ה כָּל־ מִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ׃

BSAThe lotgôwrâl [allotted portion, pebble used for decision-making] is castṭûwl [thrown, tossed] into the lapchêyq [bosom, chest area, intimate relationship] but its everykôl decisionmishpâṭ [judgment, justice] is from the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God, having all authority, sovereignly guiding all outcomes]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 16
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 33 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (mish.pa.To) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 16:33quick helps
In a sentenceThe casting of lots is a common practice, but the outcomes are ultimately determined by the LORD.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, reflecting on divine sovereignty.
Where we areThis verse is part of a collection of wise sayings on various aspects of life.
The hard wordמִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ
Take awayEven in decision-making practices, God's authority prevails.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbטוּל The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Proverbs 16:33

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Wisdom on Decision-Makinggenerated

30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Proverbs 16:33 emphasizes that while casting lots is a method of decision-making, it is ultimately the LORD who determines the outcome. This reflects a broader theme in Proverbs about the interplay between human actions and divine sovereignty. The surrounding verses discuss the qualities of wisdom, righteousness, and the importance of a controlled temper, illustrating how these virtues align with trusting in God's guidance.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Numbers 26:55–65Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.
2Joshua 7:14In the morning you must present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe that the LORD selects shall come forward clan by clan, and the clan that the LORD selects shall come forward family by family, and the family that the LORD selects shall come forward man by man.
3Joshua 18:5–10and divide the land into seven portions. Judah shall remain in their territory in the south, and the house of Joseph shall remain in their territory in the north.
41 Samuel 14:41–42So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim; but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.
5Nehemiah 11:1Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.Numbers 26:55–65 Joshua 7:14 Joshua 18:5–10 1 Samuel 14:41–42 Nehemiah 11:1 Jonah 1:7 Acts 1:26

The Key Word מִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ, mish.pa.Togenerated

The word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) refers to judgment or justice, encompassing various aspects of legal decisions and divine ordinances. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, indicating its significance in both human and divine contexts.

In this verse, it signifies the decisions that arise from the casting of lots, underscoring that while the method may seem random, the ultimate judgment is under God's authority.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, where it uses decision to convey the meaning of מִשְׁפָּט.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יוּטַ֣ל, it is thrown, governs the main clause, which describes the action of casting lots. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating where the lot is cast and a subordinate clause that clarifies the source of the decisions.

The sentence emphasizes the contrast between human action (casting lots) and divine authority (the LORD's decisions), highlighting the dependence on God's will.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חֵיק as κόλπους, meaning 'bosoms' or 'laps', which retains the intimate connotation of the Hebrew. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the closeness of the action of casting lots.

The Greek word δὲ for 'and' serves to connect the two parts of the verse, maintaining the flow of thought from the action of casting to the divine authority behind the decision.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 16:33 tells us that while lots are cast to make decisions, it is ultimately the LORD who determines the outcome. This highlights the belief in God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including decision-making.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the lot is cast into the lap?

Casting lots was a common practice in ancient Israel for making decisions, often seen as a way to seek divine guidance.

How does this verse illustrate God's sovereignty?

The verse indicates that even though humans may use methods like casting lots, the final outcome is under God's control, showing His authority over all decisions.

Why is the concept of judgment important in this verse?

Judgment reflects the idea that decisions made, whether through lots or otherwise, are ultimately aligned with God's will and justice.

What other verses in Proverbs discuss similar themes?

Other verses in Proverbs often emphasize the importance of wisdom, righteousness, and trusting in the LORD for guidance in decision-making.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's guidance over my own decisions?
  2. How can I seek wisdom in making choices, similar to the casting of lots?
  3. What does it mean for me to recognize God's sovereignty in everyday decisions?
  4. How can I apply the principles of judgment and justice in my own life?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Bede comments on this verse, noting the divine authority behind the decisions made through casting lots.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
Lots are cast into the lap, etc. Just as lots are openly cast into the lap and kept secret in the lap, it is the divine judge’s part to decide whose lot will be taken up;
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 16 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 16:33 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The lot is cast into the lap,.... Of a man's garment, or into his bosom, or into a hat, cap, urn, or whatsoever he has in his lap, and from whence it is taken out; which used to be done in choosing

Read John Gill on Proverbs 16 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing (literally, judgment) thereof is of the Lord.

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 16 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The lot is cast into the lap; as the ancient practice was in dividing inheritances, and deciding doubtful things, of which see ,21 14:41,42 Pr 1:14 . The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord; the event, though casual to men, is directed and determined by God’ s counsel and providence.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 16 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.Ver. 33. The lot is cast into the lap.] This sentence at first sight seems light and unworthy of the place it holds in this book. But as every line in the holy Bible is pure, precious, and profitable, so this sets forth a matter of very great moment - viz., that the providence of God extendeth to the disposing of all things, even those things, also, that in regard of as are merely contingent and casual. Lottery is guided by providence, as in the finding out of Achan, designing of Saul to be king, dividing the land among the Israelites, &c. Chance-medley is providence Cambyses, lighting off his…

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 16 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(33) The lot is cast into the lap . . .—In other words, much that we attribute to chance is due to the providence of God. (Comp. Matthew 10:29-30.) This should be an encouragement to trust in Him.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 16 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 33. The lot is cast into the lap] On the lot, See Clarke 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 are those who have not piety to pray nor faith to trust to God for a positive decision. The lot should never be resorted to in indifferent matters; they should be those of the greatest importance, in which it appears impossible for…

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 16 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

33. the lap] from the folds of which it was drawn or shaken out. disposing] Lit. judgement. The decision, which when appealed to as arbiter it pronounces, is not its own but Jehovah’s. The religion of the O.T. incorporated into itself the use of the lot as it did many other common customs (see Joshua 7:14-18; 1 Samuel 14:42). With the gift of Pentecost, however, the religious use of it appears to have ceased. No mention is found of it in the N.T. after Acts 1:26.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 16 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Disposing - 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.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 16 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

NETBNew English Translation2006

The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the Lord.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.

RVARevised Version, American1894

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing of it is from the LORD.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole decision is of Jehovah.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Into the centre is the lot cast, And from Jehovah [is] all its judgment!

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

The lot is cast into the center, || And all its judgment [is] from YHWH!

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The lots are cast into the lap, but the decision is from Yahweh.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseprepositional phrase · prepositionalבַּ֭innoun phrasetheחֵיקbosomverbיוּטַ֣לit.is.hurled.downnoun phrase · subjectאֶת(et)noun phraseהַtheגּוֹרָ֑לlotוּ֝and.[is]clauseprepositional phrase · predicateמֵfromיְהוָ֗הYahwehnoun phrase · subjectכָּלeverynoun phraseמִשְׁפָּטֽdecisionוֹits

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with six of the seven words matching. The Septuagint's structure, however, may differ in its word order, reflecting its own stylistic choices.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

בַּ֭חֵיק יוּטַ֣ל אֶת־ הַגּוֹרָ֑ל וּ֝מֵיְהוָ֗ה כָּל־ מִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
בַּ֭חֵיקκόλπουςיוּטַ֣לἐπέρξεταιהַגּוֹרָ֑לἀδίκοιςוּ֝מֵיְהוָ֗הδὲכָּל־πάνταמִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ׃δίκαια

6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 16:33חֵיקin the bosoin the bosomחֵיקטוּלit is throwit is thrownטוּלאֵתthe object the object markאֵתגּוֹרָלthe lotthe lotגּוֹרָליהוהand [is] frand [is] from Yיהוהכֹּלeveryeveryכֹּלמִשְׁפָּטdecision itdecision itsמִשְׁפָּטאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתהָיָהto beto beהָיָהכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלשָׁפַטto judgeto judgeשָׁפַטאַמָּהcubitcubitאַמָּהחֲניִתspearspearחֲניִתיָם(Mt. Ephro(Mt. Ephron in יָםמִגְרָשׁpasturepastureמִגְרָשׁמַטֶּהtribetribeמַטֶּהנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהחֻקָּהstatutestatuteחֻקָּהחֹקstatute: dstatute: decreeחֹק
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 16:33

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

in the bosom it is thrown the object marker the lot and [is] from Yahweh every decision its
בַּ֭חֵיקBa.cheik in the bosom H2436 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
38× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for bosom refers to the chest area, often used figuratively to describe a close or intimate relationship, as seen in the KJV translations of bosom, lap, or midst.
Amplified meaning
bosom, chest area, intimate relationship
Tyndale gloss
bosom: embrace
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חֵיק (cheq) means 'bosom' and can refer to the literal or figurative sense of being enclosed, such as in the body or in garments. It encompasses meanings like embrace, lap, and secret, indicating a sense of intimacy or closeness. The entries suggest a range of uses, including physical and metaphorical contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵיק, חֵק n.[m.] bosom

of fold of garment, at breast

carry in bosom

bosom as part of body

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2436 חֵיק, חֵק bosom

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2436 cheyq khake

or cheq {khake}; and chowq {khoke}; from an unused root,

apparently meaning to inclose; the bosom (literally or

figuratively):--bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: embrace.

: embrace/chest

bosom, hollow, bottom, midst

חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: garment.

: garment

bosom, hollow, bottom, midst

A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)

חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: lap.

: lap/base

bosom, hollow, bottom, midst

A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)

חֵיק (cheq) — bosom: secret.

: secret

bosom, hollow, bottom, midst

A sub-meaning of cheq (חֵיק ": embrace" H2436)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HRd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

booz'-um: In the ordinary signification of the anterior upper portion of the trunk of the body, choq or cheq, "inlet", "lap" (Ex 4:6,7; Nu 11:12; De 13:6; 28:54,56; Ru 4:16; Ps 74:11; Isa 65:6,7; La 2:12). "A present in the bosom" (Pr 21:14): bribes carried ready for use in the fold of the robe. chetsen = "bosom" (with special reference to that portion of the body which is between the arms), occurs in Ps…

Bosom

In the East objects are carried in the bosom which Europeans carry in the pocket. To have in one’s bosom indicates kindness, secrecy, or intimacy (Gen. 16:5; 2 Sam. 12:8). Christ is said to have been in “the bosom of the Father,” i.e., he had the most perfect knowledge of the Father, had the closest intimacy with him (John 1:18). John (13:23) was “leaning on Jesus’ bosom” at the last supper. Our Lord carries his lambs in his bosom, i.e., has a tender, watchful care over them (Isa. 40:11).

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The front of the upper part of the body, the breast. The orientals generally wore long wide, and loose garments; and when about to carry any thing away that their hands would not contain, they used for the purpose a fold in the bosom of their robe above the girdle, Lu 6:38. Our Savior is said to carry his lambs in his bosom, which beautifully represents his tender care and watchfulness over them, Isa 40:11.

in the bosom it is thrown the object marker the lot and [is] from Yahweh every decision its
יוּטַ֣לyu.Tal it is thrown H2904 Verb · Hophal · imperfect third person masculine singular
14× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to throw or cast something away, like when God casts out evil spirits in the Bible. It is used in various forms, such as to hurl or carry away. In the KJV, it is translated as carry away or cast out.
Amplified meaning
thrown, tossed
Tyndale gloss
to cast
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טוּל (tul) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cast or hurl. It encompasses various forms, including to throw away or carry off, and can describe both active and passive actions, such as being thrown or hurled down. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, but do not specify particular verses.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[טוּל] vb. Pilp. etc., hurl, cast

Pilp. hurleth thee violently

Hiph. cast, cast out

Hoph.

be hurled

of inanimate thing, be cast, thrown

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2904 [טוּל] Pilp. etc., hurl, cast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2904 tuwl tool

a primitive root; to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively)

to cast down or out:--carry away, (utterly) cast (down, forth,

out), send out.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוּל (tul) — to cast.

1) to hurl, cast

1a) (Pilpel) to throw away, carry away, hurl

1b) (Hiphil) to throw, cast, cast out

1c)(Hophal)

1c1) to be hurled, hurled down

1c2) to be cast, be thrown, be cast out, be thrown down

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hophal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hophal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVHi3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in the bosom it is thrown the object marker the lot and [is] from Yahweh every decision its
אֶת־'et- the object marker H853 Particle
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo — Particle
HTo
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in the bosom it is thrown the object marker the lot and [is] from Yahweh every decision its
הַגּוֹרָ֑לha.go.Ral the lot H1486 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
78× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word means a pebble or small stone used for making decisions by casting lots. It symbolizes a portion or destiny assigned by chance, like the drawing of lots to determine an outcome. This concept is central to ancient Israelite decision-making practices.
Amplified meaning
allotted portion, pebble used for decision-making
Tyndale gloss
allotted
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

גּוֹרָל (goral) refers to a 'lot' or 'portion,' often associated with decision-making through casting pebbles. It encompasses the idea of something assigned or apportioned, including land division and duties. The term can also imply recompense or retribution. The entries indicate that it is derived from a root meaning 'to be rough,' suggesting its connection to the physical stones used in the practice.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

גּוֹרָל 77 n.m. & f. lot

lot for dividing land

lot for assigning to service, duty or punishment

thing assigned, apportioned, allotted

portion = recompence, retribution

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1486 גּוֹרָל lot

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1486 gowral go-rawl'

or (shortened) goral {go-ral'}; from an unused root meaning

to be rough (as stone); properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small

stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion

or destiny (as if determined by lot):--lot.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

גּוֹרָל (go.ral) — allotted.

1) lot

1a) lot-pebbles used for systematically making decisions

2) portion

2a) lot, portion (thing assigned by casting lots)

2b) recompense, retribution

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Lot

(Heb. goral, a “pebble”), a small stone used in casting lots (Num. 33:54; Jonah 1:7). The lot was always resorted to by the Hebrews with strictest reference to the interposition of God, and as a method of ascertaining the divine will (Prov. 16:33), and in serious cases of doubt (Esther 3:7). Thus the lot was used at the division of the land of Canaan among the serveral tribes (Num. 26:55; 34:13), at the detection of Achan (Josh. 7:14, 18), the election of Saul to be king (1 Sam. 10:20, 21), the distribution of…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(literally a pebble). The custom of deciding doubtful questions by lot is one of great extent and high antiquity. Among the Jews lots were used with the expectation that God would so control them as to give a right direction to them. They were very often used by God’s appointment. "As to the mode of casting lots, we have no certain information. Probably several modes were practiced." "Very commonly among the Latins little counters of wood were put into a jar with so narrow a neck that only one could come out at a time. After the jar had been filled with water and the contents shaken, the lots were determined by the order in which the bits of wood, representing the several parties, came out with the water. in other cases they were put into a wide open jar, and the counters were drawn out by the hand. Sometimes again they were cast in the manner of dice. The soldiers who cast lots for…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The son of Haran, and nephew of Abraham, followed his uncle from Ur, and afterwards from Haran, to settle in Canaan, Ge 11:31 12:4-6 13:1. Abraham always had a great affection for him, and when they could not continue longer together in Canaan, because they both had large flocks and their shepherds sometimes quarreled, Ge 13:5-7, he gave Lot the choice of his abode. Lot chose the plain of Sodom, which appears then to have been the most fertile parts of the land. Here he continued to dwell till the destruction of Sodom and the adjacent cities. He was a righteous man even in Sodom, 2Pe 2:7; but the calamities consequent upon his choice of this residence-his capture by eastern marauders, the molestation caused by his ungodly and…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Lotan, wrapt up; hidden; covered; myrrh; rosin

in the bosom it is thrown the object marker the lot and [is] from Yahweh every decision its
וּ֝מֵיְהוָ֗הvu.me.Yah.weh and [is] from Yahweh H3068 Conjunction · preposition · noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, The covenant Name of God, having all authority, sovereignly guiding all outcomes
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | Prep | N-proper — Conjunction · preposition · noun proper
HC/R/Npt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in the bosom it is thrown the object marker the lot and [is] from Yahweh every decision its
כָּל־kol- every H3605 Noun common · masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular construct
HNcmsc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
in the bosom it is thrown the object marker the lot and [is] from Yahweh every decision its
מִשְׁפָּטֽוֹ׃mish.pa.To decision its H4941 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
422× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
judgment, justice
Tyndale gloss
justice: judgement
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment

judgment

justice, right, rectitude

ordinance

decision

one's (legal) right, privilege, due

proper, fitting, measure

custom, manner

what manner of

plan

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment

. justice, right, rectitude

. ordinance

. decision

. one's (legal) right, privilege, due

. . proper, fitting, measure

. custom, manner

. what manner of

. plan

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4941 mishpat mish-pawt'

from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)

pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree

(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or

collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the

crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a

participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or

even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,

custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,

fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),

(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,

ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.

see HEBREW for 08199

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.

: judgement/punishment

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)

1c) ordinance

1d) decision (in law)

1e) right, privilege, due (legal)

1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan

מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.

: justice/right/righteousness

1) judgment, justice, ordinance

1a) judgment

1a1) act of deciding a case

1a2) place, court, seat of judgment

1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)

1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)

1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)

1a6) execution (of judgment)

1a7) time (of judgment)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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