Proverbs 18:18
New International Version
Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

New Living Translation
Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

English Standard Version
The lot puts an end to quarrels and decides between powerful contenders.

Berean Standard Bible
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

King James Bible
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

New King James Version
Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.

New American Standard Bible
The cast lot puts an end to quarrels, And decides between the mighty ones.

NASB 1995
The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

NASB 1977
The lot puts an end to contentions, And decides between the mighty.

Legacy Standard Bible
The cast lot puts an end to contentions And decides between the mighty ones.

Amplified Bible
To cast lots puts an end to quarrels And decides between powerful contenders.

Christian Standard Bible
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.

American Standard Version
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.

Contemporary English Version
Drawing straws is one way to settle a difficult case.

English Revised Version
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Flipping a coin ends quarrels and settles [issues] between powerful people.

Good News Translation
If two powerful people are opposing each other in court, casting lots can settle the issue.

International Standard Version
Casting dice settles a dispute, deciding between strong contenders.

Majority Standard Bible
Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.

NET Bible
A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents.

New Heart English Bible
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.

Webster's Bible Translation
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

World English Bible
The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The lot causes contentions to cease, "" And it separates between the mighty.

Young's Literal Translation
The lot causeth contentions to cease, And between the mighty it separateth.

Smith's Literal Translation
The lot will cause contentions to cease, and will separate between the strong,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Casting a lot suppresses contentions and passes judgment, even among the powerful.

New American Bible
The lot puts an end to disputes, and decides a controversy between the mighty.

New Revised Standard Version
Casting the lot puts an end to disputes and decides between powerful contenders.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Casting lots causes contentions to cease and decides between mighty men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Lots resolve a dispute and divide between the strong.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The lot causeth strife to cease, And parteth asunder the contentious.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A silent man quells strifes, and determines between great powers.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. 19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.…

Cross References
Acts 1:24-26
And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen / to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.” / Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was added to the eleven apostles.

Jonah 1:7
“Come!” said the sailors to one another. “Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

1 Samuel 14:41-42
So 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. / Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.

Numbers 26:55-56
Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. / Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.”

Joshua 18:6-10
When you have mapped out the seven portions of land and brought it to me, I will cast lots for you here in the presence of the LORD our God. / The Levites, however, have no portion among you, because their inheritance is the priesthood of the LORD. And Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh have already received the inheritance that Moses the servant of the LORD gave them beyond the Jordan to the east.” / As the men got up to go out, Joshua commanded them to map out the land, saying, “Go and survey the land, map it out, and return to me. Then I will cast lots for you here in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD.” ...

1 Chronicles 24:5
Thus they were divided by lot, for there were officers of the sanctuary and officers of God among both Eleazar’s and Ithamar’s descendants.

1 Chronicles 25:8
They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil.

1 Chronicles 26:13-14
They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. / The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him.

Leviticus 16:8-10
After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat, / he shall present the goat chosen by lot for the LORD and sacrifice it as a sin offering. / But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement by sending it into the wilderness as the scapegoat.

1 Samuel 10:20-21
Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. / Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.

Nehemiah 10:34
We have cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people for the donation of wood by our families at the appointed times each year. They are to bring it to the house of our God to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law.

Nehemiah 11:1
Now 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.

Matthew 27:35
When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.

John 19:24
So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.

Acts 13:19
And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.


Treasury of Scripture

The lot causes contentions to cease, and parts between the mighty.

Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Joshua 14:2
By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

1 Samuel 10:21
When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.

Jump to Previous
Apart Argument Asunder Cast Casting Causeth Cease Chance Contentions Contentious Decides Decision Disputes End Keeps Lot Mighty Ones Opponents Parteth Parting Powerful Puts Separateth Settles Strife Strong
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Apart Argument Asunder Cast Casting Causeth Cease Chance Contentions Contentious Decides Decision Disputes End Keeps Lot Mighty Ones Opponents Parteth Parting Powerful Puts Separateth Settles Strife Strong
Proverbs 18
1. A fool delights not in understanding














Casting the lot
The practice of casting lots is an ancient method used to make decisions or determine God's will. In Hebrew, the word for "lot" is "goral," which refers to small stones or pieces used in decision-making. This practice is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in the division of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 18:10) and the selection of Saul as king (1 Samuel 10:20-24). From a conservative Christian perspective, casting lots is viewed as a means of seeking divine guidance, acknowledging God's sovereignty over human affairs. It reflects a trust in God's providence to bring about a just and fair resolution, especially in situations where human judgment may be clouded by bias or emotion.

ends quarrels
The Hebrew word for "ends" is "shabbat," which means to cease or bring to a stop. Quarrels, or disputes, often arise from human pride, misunderstanding, or conflicting interests. In the biblical context, ending a quarrel is not merely about stopping a fight but restoring peace and harmony. The use of lots to end quarrels suggests a reliance on divine intervention to resolve conflicts that seem insurmountable by human means. It underscores the belief that God is a God of peace, who desires unity and reconciliation among His people.

and separates strong opponents
The phrase "separates strong opponents" highlights the power of divine intervention to bring resolution between parties who are otherwise entrenched in their positions. The Hebrew word for "separates" is "badal," which means to divide or distinguish. Strong opponents, or "mighty adversaries," often have significant influence or power, making disputes particularly challenging to resolve. In the biblical narrative, God frequently intervenes to bring about justice and peace, even among the mighty. This phrase serves as a reminder that no matter how formidable the opposition, God's wisdom and authority can bring about a fair and just outcome. It encourages believers to trust in God's ability to work through seemingly impossible situations, promoting peace and reconciliation in accordance with His will.

(18) The lot causeth contentions to cease, as being the judgment of God (Proverbs 16:33).

And parteth between the mighty, who would otherwise settle their differences by blows.

Verse 18 - The lot causeth contentions to cease (comp. Proverbs 16:33). If this verse is taken in connection with the preceding, it refers to the decision in doubtful cases, where the evidence is conflicting and ordinary investigation fails to elicit the truth satisfactorily. The lot, being considered to show the judgment of God, settled the question. And parteth between the mighty. If it were not for the decision by lot, persons of eminence and power would settle their differences by violent means. This peaceful solution obviates all such contentions. The Septuagint, in place of "lot" (κλῆρος), reads now σιγηρός, "silent;" but it is evidently originally a clerical error, perpetuated by copyists. The error is noted by a second hand in the margin of the Sinaitic Manuscript.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Casting the lot
הַגּוֹרָ֑ל (hag·gō·w·rāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting)

ends
יַשְׁבִּ֣ית (yaš·bîṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion

quarrels
מִ֭דְיָנִים (miḏ·yā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4079: Brawling, contention

and separates
יַפְרִֽיד׃ (yap̄·rîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6504: To break through, spread, separate

strong opponents.
עֲצוּמִ֣ים (‘ă·ṣū·mîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6099: Powerful, numerous


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:18 The lot settles disputes and keeps strong (Prov. Pro Pr)
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