3. The Lot in Common Life

In ancient times, the casting of lots played s prominent part in the life of the Israelites. It may be safely assumed that often the Israelites. sought counsel of the deity is reference to possible eventualities just as they made use of the service of the seers (cf. I Sam. is. B sqq.). According to the priestly writer, Joshua was directed to ask an answer from the lots by means of the priest (Nom. agvii. 21; cf. Josh. la. 8 sqq.). In jurisprudence also the lots played a part; in intricate cases they were used to discover the guilty (Josh. vii. 18 sqq.; I Sam. aiv. 38 sqq.), and decisions in other cases were reached by their aid (Esek. ariv. 8; Prov. aviii. 18, zvi. 33; Matt. savii. 35). After the time of Solomon, the his- torical narratives cease to mention the lots of Urim and Thummim; internal evidence favors the resumption that they lost their importance. The prophets became more and more numerous, and it is to them that, for example, Alias turns with questions that David would have sought to solve by the sacred lots (I Kings aaii. 5). According to Jewish tradition, the Urim and Thummim no longer existed in the second temple. Alongside of the liturgical lots, secular lots (if this expression be permitted) were always in favor; booty taken in war was always divided by means of lots (Joel iii. 3; Neh. iii. 10; Ob. 11). In controversies regarding possession s decision was reached by casting lots (Prov. xviii. 18) and in similar ways (cf. also Zech. ii. 1). The lots, usually small stones, were shaken is the bosom, ~ that is, in the fold of the dress in front, until one fell out (Prov. xvi. 33). At the time of the second temple, the casting of lots was still resorted to; for example, in the selection of the two goats on the Day of . Atonement (Lev. xvi. 7-10), in the division of the days of office among the priests (Luke i. 9; cf. I Chron. xxiv. 5 sqq.), and in apportioning the contribution of wood for the altar (Neh. a. 34).

I. Benzinger.

Bibliography: Consult the literature under Divination; Ephod; Urim and Thummim; the articles under those words in the Bible Dictionaries; also the works mentioned under Archeology, Biblical, by Nowack sad Benzinger, and others.