Just want to gather some research information on the topic of Casting of Lots. So wondering if anyone has any good credible resources they could suggest checking out on this topic. I would like something that is just stating facts, rather then try to be religious. So far from my research, I can guess that it's a form of lottery/divination to learn God's will.
I'm also curious on what was used to Cast Lots (paper? clay? stone? sticks? coin?)
So far all I have is information from the bible.
Jonah 1:7 is one example I have:
"And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah."
2007-09-21 06:35:49 · 7 answers · asked by Dawn Wolf 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
In casting lots for guilt or sacrifice the casting took place with either stones or beans. The lots would be placed in a large piece of pottery with a round base and a neck just large enough for a hand to enter. There would be all white stones or beans except for one stone or bean that was black. Those being judged would be freed if the stone or bean they picked was white. If there was a choice to be made, the picking out continued until someone picked the black.
It is much older than the Hebrew God and even the Greek and Roman Gods. It was thought a way for judging or choosing to be done by the community without any persons being responsible for the outcome.
Nothing to do with religion at all. Unless it was a religious sacrifice.
2007-09-21 07:56:08 · answer #1 · answered by Terry 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The oldest Greek myth about the casting of lots was the story of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades who used it to decide the rule of heaven, sea and underworld after the fall of the Titans.
Traditionally lots were shards of broken pottery inscribed with symbolic marks and thrown into an amphora jug, from which they were drawn to decide some matter.
The theory behind it was not to obtain a random result, but to obtain the result ordained by fate. Fate was the goddess of the lot so to speak -- since everything was pre-ordained.
2007-09-21 23:24:37 · answer #2 · answered by Thalia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In that case it was a bunch of superstitious sailors wanting to blame someone. Likely, they drew straws and Jonah got the short one.
regards,
doc
2007-09-21 06:46:27 · answer #3 · answered by DoctorSchultz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like rolling dice and the high dice wins.
2007-09-21 06:50:31 · answer #4 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe 'lots' were dice.
There for "Casting Lots" is "rolling dice".
2007-09-21 06:43:51 · answer #5 · answered by HooKooDooKu 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was like dice only it was probably sheep bones or something like that.
2007-09-21 06:46:58 · answer #6 · answered by D R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its when you have a lot and then you cast it. (sarcasm, bored)
2007-09-21 07:11:51 · answer #7 · answered by Ranz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋