☀️
← Back to Lexicon
H1632 · Hebrew · Old Testament
גָּרוֹל
Garol
Noun, masculine / Adjective
Rough stone; lot (cast stone)

Definition

The word garol refers to a rough, uncut stone — and by natural extension, to a stone or pebble used in casting lots. The casting of lots (goralot) was a standard means of discerning God's will in Israel, used for tribal land allocation, priestly assignments, and identifying the guilty.

Usage & Theological Significance

The casting of lots (goralot, a related term) was theologically grounded in Proverbs 16:33: 'The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.' This conviction made lot-casting a form of seeking divine guidance rather than mere chance. The Urim and Thummim may have functioned as lots. Most dramatically, the lot fell on Jonah (Jonah 1:7), on Achan (Joshua 7), and divided the Promised Land among the twelve tribes (Numbers 26:55). The soldiers casting lots for Jesus's garments (Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35) uses this language ironically — human randomness fulfilling sovereign prophecy.

Key Bible Verses

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Jonah 1:7 And they said to one another, 'Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.' So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
Joshua 18:10 And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD. And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion.
Nehemiah 10:34 We, the priests, the Levites, and the people, have likewise cast lots for the wood offering.
Esther 3:7 In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur (that is, they cast lots) before Haman day after day.

Related Words

External Resources

🌙
☀️