Throw in your lot with us;This phrase is an invitation to join a group with a common purpose, often implying a sense of camaraderie or shared destiny. In the context of Proverbs, it reflects the enticement of sinners who seek to recruit others into their schemes. The phrase suggests a decision point, where one must choose between the path of wisdom and the path of folly. Biblically, this can be compared to the call of wisdom versus the call of folly seen throughout Proverbs. The idea of "throwing in your lot" can also be seen in the story of Lot in Genesis, who chose to live in Sodom, illustrating the consequences of aligning oneself with the wrong company.
let us all share one purse”—
This part of the verse highlights the promise of shared wealth and mutual benefit, which is often used as a lure by those engaging in unethical or sinful behavior. The concept of a "shared purse" implies a communal sharing of resources, which can be appealing but also dangerous if the means of acquiring those resources are unjust. In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, communal living and shared resources were common, but the Bible warns against dishonest gain. This phrase can be connected to the New Testament, where Jesus warns against the love of money and the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 6:24,1 Timothy 6:10). It also contrasts with the early Christian community inActs 2:44-45, where believers shared their possessions out of love and generosity, not greed or deceit.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.
2.
The EnticersIn the context of
Proverbs 1, these are the individuals who tempt others to join them in sinful activities, promising shared wealth and gain.
3.
The Son/YouthThe primary audience of Proverbs, often addressed as "my son," representing young people or those in need of guidance and wisdom.
4.
The Path of WisdomA metaphorical journey that represents living according to God's principles and avoiding the pitfalls of sin.
5.
The Path of FollyAnother metaphorical journey, representing the way of sin and foolishness, often leading to destruction.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Peer PressurePeer pressure can lead us away from God's path. We must be discerning about whom we associate with and the influences we allow in our lives.
The Illusion of Easy GainThe promise of quick and easy wealth is often a trap. True prosperity comes from hard work and integrity, not from deceitful schemes.
The Importance of DiscernmentWe must cultivate discernment to recognize when we are being led astray. This requires a deep understanding of God's Word and a commitment to His principles.
The Value of Godly CounselSurrounding ourselves with wise and godly individuals can help us stay on the right path. Seek mentors and friends who encourage righteousness.
The Consequences of SinJoining in sinful activities can have severe consequences. We must consider the long-term impact of our choices and strive to live in a way that honors God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 1:14?
2.How does Proverbs 1:14 warn against joining sinful groups or alliances?
3.What does "share a common purse" imply about the dangers of greed?
4.How can Proverbs 1:14 guide us in choosing godly friendships today?
5.What New Testament teachings align with Proverbs 1:14's warning against sinful partnerships?
6.How can we apply Proverbs 1:14 to resist peer pressure in our lives?
7.What does Proverbs 1:14 mean by "cast your lot among us"?
8.How does Proverbs 1:14 challenge individualism in modern society?
9.What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 1:14?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 1?
11.Is gambling considered sinful?
12.What does the Bible say about bullying?
13.What do customers say about their experience with us?
14.What is the Bible's view on estrangement?What Does Proverbs 1:14 Mean
Throw in your lot with usProverbs 1:14 opens with a seductive invitation: “Throw in your lot with us.” In context (Proverbs 1:10–19), violent men entice a young listener to join their band of thieves.
• The call is personal—“with us”—promising instant belonging, yet it masks danger (Proverbs 1:10).
• It urges a leap from individual responsibility to group identity, echoingPsalm 1:1, where the righteous are warned not to “walk in the counsel of the wicked.”
• The appeal downplays the cost: joining means sharing guilt and consequences (Proverbs 11:21).
• Scripture repeatedly cautions against alliances that dull discernment (1 Corinthians 15:33;2 Corinthians 6:14).
• Behind the camaraderie lies rebellion against God’s order, much like the crowd that shouted, “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13).
let us all share one purseThe second half intensifies the lure: “let us all share one purse.”
• A pooled purse promises easy profit, but it is filled with stolen goods (Proverbs 1:13,19).
• The offer mimics true fellowship—compareActs 4:32, where believers share honestly—yet here the sharing is founded on sin, not sacrifice.
• It hides the reality that greed enslaves (John 8:34) and leads to ruin (1 Timothy 6:9–10).
• The supposed unity is fragile;Proverbs 28:17 warns that a “man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death.”
• Any gain is temporary; “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).
summaryProverbs 1:14 exposes the deceptive pull of sinful companionship. “Throw in your lot with us” flatters the desire to belong, while “let us all share one purse” dangles the lure of quick, communal gain. Scripture urges rejecting such allure, choosing fellowship built on righteousness, and trusting the Lord to provide honest prosperity.
Verse 14. -
Cast in thy lot among us. The fourth and last enticement put forward, viz.
honourable union and
frank and open hearted generosity. It has distinct reference to the preceding verse, and shows how the prospect of immediate wealth is to be realized (see Delitzsch, Wardlaw).
Cast in thy lot cannot mean, as Mercerus, "cast in your inheritance with us, so that we all may use it in common," though
גּורָל (
goral) does mean "inheritance" in the sense of that which comes to any one by lot (
Judges 1:3) (Gesenius), since that would be no inducement to youth to join the robbers.
Goral properly is "a little stone or pebble,"
κλῆρος, especially such as were used in casting lots, and so equivalent to a "lot" here - that with which the distribution was made, as in
Leviticus 16:8;
Nehemiah 10:34; and the custom of freebooters dividing the spoil by lot is here alluded to (Holden); comp.
Psalm 22:18 in illustration of the practice of casting lots, "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." The sense is, "you shall equally with the others cast lots for your share of the spoil" (Zockler, Delitzsch).
Let us all have one parse.Purse;
כִּיס (
kis), the
βαλάντιον of the LXX., the
marsupium of the Vulgate, is the receptacle in which money is placed for security. In
Proverbs 15:11 it is used for the bag in which traders kept their weights, "the weights of the bag;" and in
Proverbs 23:31 it is translated "cup," the wine cup. It here signifies the common stock, the aggregate of the gains of the robbers contributed to a common fund. The booty captured by each or any is to be thrown into one common stock, to form one purse, to be divided by lot among all the members of the band. On this community of goods among robbers, compare the Hebrew proverb,
In localis, in poculis, in ira. Community of goods among the wicked carries with it community in crime, just as the community of goods among the early Christians implied community in good works and in the religious sentiments of the Christian body or Church. The Rabbi Salomon Isacides offers another explanation (which leaves the choice open to youth either to share in the spoil by lot, or to live at the expense of a common fund, as he may prefer): "Si voles, nobiscum spolia partieris, si etiam magis placebit, sociali communique marsupio nobiscum vives" - "If thou wilt, thou shalt share with us the booty; ay, if it like thee more, thou halt live with us on a confederate and common purse" (see Cornelius a Lapide).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Throw inתַּפִּ֣יל(tap·pîl)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5307:To fall, lieyour lotגּ֭וֹרָ֣לְךָ(gō·w·rā·lə·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1486:Lot -- a lot (for casting)with us,בְּתוֹכֵ֑נוּ(bə·ṯō·w·ḵê·nū)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 8432:A bisection, the centrelet us allלְכֻלָּֽנוּ׃(lə·ḵul·lā·nū)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyhaveיִהְיֶ֥ה(yih·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, beoneאֶ֝חָ֗ד(’e·ḥāḏ)Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259:United, one, firstpurse”—כִּ֥יס(kîs)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3599:A cup, a bag for, money, weights
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 1:14 You shall cast your lot among us (Prov. Pro Pr) 
