in the book of numbers what does it mean when they cast lots?

Answer 1

The practice of casting lots is mentioned 70 times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. In spite of the many references to casting lots in the Old Testament, nothing is known about the actual lots themselves. They could have been sticks of various lengths, flat stones like coins, or some kind of dice; but their exact nature is unknown. The closest modern practice to casting lots is likely flipping a coin.



The practice of casting lots occurs most often in connection with the division of the land under Joshua (Joshua chapter 14-21), a procedure that God instructed the Israelites on several times in the Book of Numbers (Numbers 26:55; 33:54; 34:13; 36:2). God allowed the Israelites to cast lots in order to determine His will for a given situation (Joshua 18:6-10; 1 Chronicles 24:5,31). Various offices and functions in the Temple were also determined by lot (1 Chronicles 24:5,31; 25:8-9; 26:13-14). The sailors on Jonah's ship (Jonah 1:7) also cast lots to determine who had brought God's wrath upon their ship. The 11 Apostles cast lots to determine who would replace Judas (Acts 1:26). Casting lots eventually became a game people played and made wagers on. This is seen in how the Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ garments (Matthew 27:35).



The New Testament nowhere instructs Christian to use a method similar to casting lots to help with decision making. In Acts chapter 1, when the apostles cast lots to determine who would replace Judas, this likely was not God’s desire for the apostles. Jesus had repeatedly told the apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5), who would instruct them and give them wisdom. That is how we are to discern God’s will today – not by casting lots, rolling dice, or flipping a coin.

Answer 2

The use of 'lots' in bible times were used by different people for different things - some approved of by God and some not. for example, the roman soldiers 'cast lots' over Jesus garment as a way to decide who got it...call it an ancient 'paper, scissors, stone' or 'pulling straws'. A more formal description is this:

The casting of lots is an ancient custom for deciding a question at issue. The method used was to cast pebbles or small bits or tablets of wood or of stone into the gathered folds of a garment, “the lap,” or into a vase, and then to shake them. The one whose lot fell out or was drawn out was the one chosen. The lot, like the oath, implied a prayer with it. Prayer was either expressed or implied, and Jehovah’s intervention was sought and anticipated.

In the book of numbers, 'lots' were used by God's then chosen people - the israelites - as a way to determine which tribe got what portion of the promised land. They were used to determine what God's will was, NOT as divination because the israelites had been firmly warned against any sort of divination.

Answer 3

Basically - "they threw dice".

From a website: "The practice of casting lots is mentioned 70 times in the Old Testament and seven times in the New Testament. In spite of the many references to casting lots in the Old Testament, nothing is known about the actual lots themselves. They could have been sticks of various lengths, flat stones like coins, or some kind of dice; but their exact nature is unknown. The closest modern practice to casting lots is likely flipping a coin."

Answer 4

Casting lots in biblical times is the same for us when drawing straws to see who must first accomplish something. Drawing the shorter straw indicates the person chosen.

Answer 5

Casting lots is fairly like drawing straws or flipping a coin or guessing random numbers. it particularly is purely a manner of randomly finding out on somebody out. there is no longer something supernatural to it. additionally, for the checklist, there is no longer something "pagan" approximately ouija boards or tarot taking part in cards. you are able to evaluate them no longer allowed in Christianity, yet that doesn't lead them to pagan. no longer each and every thing has a non secular association. Do you think of of your foodstuff as Christian foodstuff? of direction no longer.

Answer 6

Casting lots is a form of divination. The method here could have been bones, stones or a combination of both. They may or may not have been inscribed with symbols.

Answer 7

It's kind of a way of picking someone at random, like rolling some dice and the person with the highest number is the one chosen.

Answer 8

casting lots was a form of gambling. much like rolling dice.

Answer 9

2. Anything (as a die, pebble, ball, or slip of paper) used
in determining a question by chance, or without man's
choice or will; as, to cast or draw lots.

http://dict.die.net/to%20cast%20lots/

Answer 10

Like drawing straws to see who gets the prize.