- cast lots:
- Jerusalem certainly had many inhabitants at this time, but not sufficient to preserve the city, which was now encompassed with a wall, the building of which was going on fast. Nehemiah, therefore, obliged one-tenth of the country people to come and dwell in it, that the population might be sufficient for the defence of the city. Some volunteered their services, which was at that time considered a sacrifice to patriotism; as Jerusalem then afforded very few advantages, and was a place of considerable danger. Hence "the people blessed them that willingly offered themselves." "And we cast²° the lots² among¹¹ the priests,ª the Levites,ª and the people,ª for¹ the woodª offering,ª to bringª° [it] into the houseª of our God,ª after the housesª of our fathers,ª at timesª appointedª° yearª by year,ª to burnª° upon¹ the altarª of the LORDª our God,ª as [it is] writtenª° in the law:ª" {Neh 10:34} + "And Joshuaª castª° lotsª for them in Shilohª beforeª the LORD:ª and there¹ Joshuaª dividedª°¹ the landª unto the childrenª of Israelª according to their divisions.ª" {Jsh 18:10} + "And they castª° lots,ª as well the smallª as the great,ª according to the houseª of their fathers,ª for every gate.ª" {1Ch 26:13} + "¹ The lotª is castª° into the lap;ª but the whole¹ disposingª thereof [is] of the LORD.ª¹" {Prv 16:33} + "Andª they prayed,ª° and said,ª° Thou,ª Lord,ª which knowest the heartsª of allª [men], shewª° whetherªª ofª theseª twoª thou hast chosen,ª°" {Act 1:24}
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