Proverbs 16:33 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The lot is cast into the lap— Lots are to be considered in three different lights; or, more properly, they are of three distinct kinds. One sort is civil ballotting, of general use in states to prevent intrigues and partialities; another is a superstitious appeal to the imaginary deity, Chance, or Fortune; and there is yet a third, which is a reference of the event to heaven, by God's own direction and appointment. Of the second, or only reprehensible sort, revelation is intirely innocent; because it was customary for the Jewish people to refer all events to God, only and immediately; and the Jewish and Christian lots were confessedly of divine appointment. See Bishop Warburt. View of Bolingbr. Philos. Leviticus 3: p. 37. 8 vol. and Nehemiah 11:1.