lots

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lots

lots The casting of lots was an ancient method of making a choice, settling a dispute, or determining a course of action. In biblical times lots were cast to determine the will of God (it is believed that the Urim and Thummim, mysterious sacred objects carved on the breastplate of the high priest, were originally used for casting lots and determining a course of action), to discover the guilty, to select officials, and in numerous other instances. The lot, probably a stone, die, or other object, was cast upon the ground, the manner of its fall determining the question in doubt; in other cases, lots were cast into a receptacle and drawn from it. It is possible that dice originated not as a game but as a device for casting lots.

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"lots." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 7 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"lots." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (December 7, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-lots.html

"lots." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved December 07, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-lots.html

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lots

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | | Â© A Dictionary of the Bible 1997, originally published by Oxford University Press 1997. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

lots A common means of making decisions among the Hebrews which continued into NT times, although the procedure of casting lots is never described. It was believed that God indicated his preferences by means of the lot, as when Saul was invited to be king (1 Sam. 10: 19–26). In the NT the soldiers divided Jesus' coat at the crucifixion by lot (Mark 15: 24), and Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas as one of the Twelve apostles (Acts 1: 26).

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "lots." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 7 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "lots." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (December 7, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-lots.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "lots." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved December 07, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-lots.html

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lot

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Â© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

lot object used in deciding a matter by appeal to chance; what falls to a person thus OE.; prize in a lottery XVI; plot of land XVII; set of articles XVIII; party or set XVI; large number XIX. OE. hlot portion, choice, decision, corr. to MLG. lot, (M)Du. lot, ON. hlutr, hluti; f. Gmc. *χlut- (also in OE. hlȳt lot), rel. to *χleut-, in OE. hlēotan, OS. hliotan, OHG. liozan, ON. hljóta cast lots, obtain by lot, and to *χlaut-, in OE. hlíet (:- *χlautiz). OS. hlōt, OHG. (h)lōz (G. loos, los), Goth. hlauts lot. The Gmc. word appears in F. lot, It. lotto.

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T. F. HOAD. "lot." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 7 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "lot." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (December 7, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-lot.html

T. F. HOAD. "lot." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved December 07, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-lot.html

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