Definition: And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil [is] upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jonah 1:7 together. It's a really important and slightly confusing passage, so let’s go through it slowly. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Imagine this situation like this: God is sending a person – Jonah – to a specific place (likely the coast of Nineveh). This person has been warned not to disobey God's instructions. However, Jonah decides he wants to look for why this evil is happening to them. So, these people – likely the city officials – are asking Jonah to come up with a way to figure out who is suffering because of his actions. They want to know if this "evil" is affecting them . Then, they do something… they cast lots. They’re using a random method to decide who gets what. And here's the twist: The lot (a jar or bag) falls on Jonah. It’s like God is deliberately choosing him as the one who will experience the consequences of their actions. So, the whole point of the verse is this: God is actively causing this evil to happen to Jonah, and that’s why he's being singled out for suffering. In essence, it’s a demonstration of God’s judgment and his control over events. It highlights that God doesn't just passively allow things to happen; He actively chooses who experiences the consequences. Important Note: This is a complex verse with layers of meaning, and there are different interpretations among theologians. But this explanation captures the core message - God is directly involved in causing this suffering. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant? Discuss some possible interpretations of the verse? Talk about Jonah's role in this story?