Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "random" or "chance" in the Bible is often associated with the sovereignty of God and His divine providence. While the term "random" itself is not explicitly used in the Scriptures, the idea of events occurring by chance is addressed, particularly in the context of God's overarching control and purpose.
Divine Sovereignty and ProvidenceThe Bible consistently affirms that God is sovereign over all creation, and nothing occurs outside of His will or knowledge.
Proverbs 16:33 states, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." This verse illustrates that what may appear as random or left to chance, such as the casting of lots, is ultimately determined by God. The casting of lots was a common practice in ancient Israel for making decisions, and it was understood that God guided the outcome.
Human Perception of ChanceFrom a human perspective, certain events may seem random or coincidental. However, Scripture teaches that God is actively involved in the details of life. In
Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus reassures His followers of God's intimate knowledge and care, saying, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." This passage emphasizes that what might seem insignificant or random to humans is under God's attentive watch.
Examples in ScriptureSeveral biblical narratives illustrate the interplay between human actions perceived as random and God's divine plan. In the account of Joseph, his brothers' decision to sell him into slavery (
Genesis 37:28) might appear as a series of unfortunate, random events. However, Joseph later recognizes God's hand in these events, telling his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (
Genesis 50:20).
Similarly, the Book of Esther presents a series of seemingly coincidental events that lead to the deliverance of the Jewish people. The casting of lots, or "Purim," by Haman to determine the date for the annihilation of the Jews (
Esther 3:7) ultimately results in their salvation, highlighting God's providential care and intervention.
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical perspective on randomness challenges believers to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when circumstances appear chaotic or beyond understanding.
Romans 8:28 assures believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This promise encourages Christians to rely on God's perfect plan, knowing that He orchestrates all events for His glory and their ultimate good.
In summary, while the Bible acknowledges the human perception of randomness, it consistently points to a God who is in control, working through all circumstances to fulfill His divine purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Force; violence.
2. (n.) A roving motion; course without definite direction; want of direction, rule, or method; hazard; chance; -- commonly used in the phrase at random, that is, without a settled point of direction; at hazard.
3. (n.) Distance to which a missile is cast; range; reach; as, the random of a rifle ball.
4. (n.) The direction of a rake-vein.
5. (a.) Going at random or by chance; done or made at hazard, or without settled direction, aim, or purpose; hazarded without previous calculation; left to chance; haphazard; as, a random guess.
Greek
3150. mataiologia -- idle or foolish talk... vain jangling. From mataiologos;
random talk, ie Babble -- vain jangling. see GREEK
mataiologos. (mataiologian) -- 1 Occurrence. 3149, 3150.
...3004. lego -- to say
... refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while rheo is properly
to break silence merely, and laleo means an extended orrandom harangue)); by...
Strong's Hebrew
8537. tom -- completeness, integrity, also part of the high...... also part of the high priest's breastplate NASB Word Usage blameless (1), full
(1), full measure (1), innocently (1), integrity (16),
random (2), upright (1).
...Library
1 Cor. Ix. 24
... where doing so. But what is, "not uncertainly?" "Looking to some mark,"
saith he, "not atrandom and in vain, as ye do. For what...
Effects Require Causes
... God is a God of order. Everything is arranged upon definite principles, and never
atrandom. The world, even the religious world, is governed by law....
The Wonderful Skill with which Origen Prepares Gregory and...
... has been left unpruned and unwatered and waste, and which is thus choked by the
mass of superfluous shoots suffered to grow out of it atrandom, [207] yet...
Book V Here She Made an End and was for Turning the Course of Her...
... If chance is defined as an outcome ofrandom influence, produced by no sequence
of causes, I am sure that there is no such thing as chance, and I consider that...
Names
... body, whether they be good or evil. But names are not given atrandom, without
cause or meaning. When Adam named all the beasts, we...
The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... in it? If God is governing the world then is He governing it according
to a definite purpose, or aimlessly and atrandom? If He...
Matt. Iv. 1
... the Jews his partisans, in their demand of signs: invariably instructing us, whatever
we may have power to do, yet to do nothing vainly and atrandom; nor even...
Prevailing Prayer.
... 1. He must pray for a definite object. He need not expect to offer such prayer,
if he prays atrandom, without any distinct or definite object....
Rom. xvi. 5
... 25:27.) And therefore though there be nobody that listens to it, let us do our part,
and show that there is nothing superfluous, nothing added atrandom in the...
Trinity Sunday.
... I have taken the instance atrandom, and any other proposition might have
served my purpose as well. But men do not speak to one...
Thesaurus
Random (3 Occurrences)... n.) A roving motion; course without definite direction; want of direction, rule,
or method; hazard; chance; -- commonly used in the phrase at
random, that is
...Slash (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To cut by striking violently and atrandom; to
cut in long slits.... 4. (vi) To strike violently and atrandom, esp....
Augury (5 Occurrences)
... 1. Belomancy: Belomancy was a method of divination by arrows, a number of which
were marked in certain ways, then mixed and drawn atrandom....
Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... the plain of Esdraelon. Josiah went into the field in disguise, and was
fatally wounded by arandom arrow. His attendants conveyed...
Joints (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 22:34 A certain man drew his
bow atrandom, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armor....
I've (7 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Kings 22:34 A certain man drew his bow atrandom, and struck the
king of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore...
Rang (4 Occurrences)
Driver (4 Occurrences)
... Driver (4 Occurrences). 1 Kings 22:34 A certain man drew his bow atrandom,
and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armor....
Drift (1 Occurrence)
... sentence or discourse; aim. 5. (n.) That which is driven, forced, or urged
along. 6. (n.) Anything driven atrandom. 7. (n.) A mass...
Manslayer (20 Occurrences)
... from the punishment imposed on willful killing were: (1) death by a blow in a sudden
quarrel (Numbers 35:22); (2) death by anything thrown atrandom (Numbers 35...
Resources
What is the Intelligent Design Theory? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is bibliomancy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about luck? | GotQuestions.orgRandom: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
