Acts 1, 23-26

[CFoster]

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and siad, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his won place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

My question is this, what do they mean by they gave forth their lots? What do they mean by lots? Did they debate it, or throw dice, what? Lots seems like an odd term, when Jesus could have made his will on the matter known to any one of the Apostles.

[@@Paul@@]

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and siad, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his won place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

My question is this, what do they mean by they gave forth their lots? What do they mean by lots? Did they debate it, or throw dice, what? Lots seems like an odd term, when Jesus could have made his will on the matter known to any one of the Apostles.
Casting lots was common among the Jews in the OT times and it was a way which God used to make His will known.......
klēros (Lots)
Thayer Definition:
1) an object used in casting or drawing lots, which was either a pebble, or a potsherd, or a bit of wood
1a) the lots of several persons concerned, inscribed with their names, were thrown together into a vase, which was then shaken, and he whose lot fell out first upon the ground was the one chosen


:)

[CFoster]

Thanks Paul!