Proverbs 16:33

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

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Proverbs 16:33 in Other Translations

KJV

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

ESV

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

NLT

33 We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

MSG

33 Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say.

CSB

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

Proverbs 16:33 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:33

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 officers, civil or ecclesiastical; in dividing inheritances, and determining doubtful cases; and making up differences, and putting an end to strife and contentions, which otherwise could not be done: and this ought not to be used in trivial cases, or to gratify curiosity, or for the sake of gain, or rashly and superstitiously; but seriously and religiously, with prayer, and in faith, and with a view to the divine direction, and submission to it; for a lot has the nature of an oath, and is an appeal to the omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent Being; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the Lord;
or "the judgment" ^F21 of it; the judgment that is to be made by it concerning persons or things; it being so directed and ordered by him as to fall upon the person it should; or to make known the thing in doubt and debate according to his will, in which all parties concerned should acquiesce. This is to be ascribed, not to blind chance and fortune, to the influence of the stars, or to any invisible created being, angel or devil, but to the Lord only; there is no such thing as chance, or events by chance; those events which seem most fortuitous or contingent are all disposed, ordered, and governed, by the sovereign will of God.

FOOTNOTES:

F21 (wjpvm) "judicium ejus", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Schultens; "judicium eorum", Tigurine version.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible