Psalms 16:5 — Word Study
WLCיְֽהוָ֗ה מְנָת־ חֶלְקִ֥י וְכוֹסִ֑י אַ֝תָּ֗ה תּוֹמִ֥יךְ גּוֹרָלִֽי׃
BSAThe LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] [is] my chosen portionmânâh [assigned, allotted, inheritance, share] and my cupkôwç ◂Youʼattâh [as my Savior] have madetâmak my lot {secure}gôwrâl [allotted part, destiny, stable, upheld]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְֽהוָ֗ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| מְנָת־ | [is] [the] portion of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| חֶלְקִ֥י | possession my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְכוֹסִ֑י | and cup my | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אַ֝תָּ֗ה | you | Pronoun |
| תּוֹמִ֥יךְ | [are] holding | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| גּוֹרָלִֽי׃ | lot my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. |
| KJV | The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. |
| ASV | Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. |
| YLT | Jehovah [is] the portion of my share, and of my cup, Thou — Thou dost uphold my lot. |
| WEB | Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure. |
| BBE | The Lord is my heritage and the wine of my cup; you are the supporter of my right. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of חֶלְקִ֥י — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subject and a verb, creating a clear declaration of faith and trust in God.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיהוה
verbתָּמַךְ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 16:5
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Assurance of the Lord's Provisiongenerated
Psalm 16:5 reveals the psalmist's deep reliance on the Lord as his chosen portion and cup, emphasizing the security found in God’s provision. This passage is part of a larger reflection on the blessings of following God and the dangers of pursuing other deities, as seen in the preceding and following verses. The psalmist contrasts the fate of those who chase after other gods with his own secure inheritance in the Lord, underscoring a theme of divine faithfulness and stability.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 73:26 | My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. |
| 2 | Psalm 119:57 | The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. |
| 3 | Psalm 142:5 | I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 32:9 | But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 10:16 | The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance— the LORD of Hosts is His name. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 22 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְֽהוָ֗ה, Yah.wehgenerated
The name יְהוָ֗ה (Yahweh) signifies the self-existent and eternal nature of God, often rendered as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith, associated with His covenant and revelation to Israel, particularly in Exodus 3:12-15.
In this verse, יְהוָ֗ה is presented as the psalmist's chosen portion, indicating a personal and intimate relationship with God, who is the source of all blessings and stability.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תּוֹמִ֥יךְ, you hold, governs the whole verse, with two noun phrases acting as subjects: יְֽהוָ֗ה (the Lord) and אַ֝תָּ֗ה (you). The structure emphasizes the relationship between God and the psalmist, highlighting God's role as the provider.
The word order places the subjects first, drawing attention to the Lord's identity and the psalmist's direct address to Him, reinforcing the personal nature of their relationship.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יְֽהוָ֗ה as κύριος (kurios), which means 'Lord' and carries similar connotations of authority and sovereignty. This choice reflects a consistent approach in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.
The translation of מְנָת־ as μερὶς (meris) indicates a focus on the portion or share, aligning with the Hebrew meaning while adapting to the Greek linguistic context.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 16:5 expresses the psalmist's trust in the Lord as his chosen portion and cup. This verse emphasizes that God is the source of his security and destiny, contrasting the fate of those who pursue other gods.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that the Lord is the psalmist's source of sustenance and security, much like an inheritance or share in life.
The cup symbolizes fullness and blessing, representing the good things that God provides in the psalmist's life.
The verse indicates that the psalmist's lot or destiny is secure in God's hands, emphasizing divine guidance and protection.
A secure lot implies stability and assurance in life, knowing that God oversees and provides for one's future.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God as my portion in life?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision?
- What does it mean for me to acknowledge the Lord as my cup?
- How can I ensure that my lot remains secure in God's hands?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers reflect on this verse, discussing the nature of God as the psalmist's inheritance and the implications of having the Lord as one's portion.
The inheritance is the contemplation of the present and future ages; the inheritance of Christ is the understanding of God.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 16 →
He who in his own person is the Lord’s portion, or has the Lord for his portion, must so bear himself as to possess the Lord and to be possessed by him.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 16 →
"The Lord is the portion of Mine inheritance, and of My cup" [Psalms 16:5]. For together with Me they shall possess the inheritance, the Lord Himself.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 16 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 16:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe Lord [is] the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup,.... This is said by Christ as a priest, and in allusion to the Levitical priests, who had no inheritance in the land of Canaan with their
Read John Gill on Psalms 16 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 16 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleOf mine inheritance, or, of my division, i.e. of that inheritance which God hath mercifully divided or distributed to me, and which I by his grace have chosen for myself. I envy not the vast riches and glory of idolaters, but do heartily rejoice in God as my portion, and desire no better nor no other felicity. God, who hath suffered other nations to walk in their own idolatrous ways, hath granted this favour to me, to know and worship him, the only true God. And as other nations have chosen and do adhere to their false gods, so have I chosen God, and will cleave to him. And of my cup; the same thing repeated in other words. The portion of my cup, is the portion which is put into my cup, as…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 16 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 16:5 The LORD [is] the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.Ver. 5. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance] Therefore I have neither need nor mind to run a madding after dumb idols; for he is good original, universal, all sufficient, and satisfactory, proportionable, and fitting to my soul; so that, having him, I am abundantly provided for. And of my cup] A phrase taken from those shares that every one had assigned unto him at feasts, Genesis 43:34 1 Samuel 1:4; 1 Samuel 9:23 : q.d. Thou art my meat and my drink, Lord, and I am very well content with my condition, be it better or worse. That which gives quiet in any portion, is, First, The favour…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 16 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) The portion.—There is allusion here to the Levitical portion (Numbers 18:20): “I am thy portion and thine inheritance.” The poet, whom we must imagine exiled from his actual inheritance in Canaan, consoles, and more than consoles himself, with the sublime thought that this “better part” could not be taken away from him. Perowne quotes Savonarola’s fine saying, “What must not he possess who possesses the possessor of all!” and St. Paul’s, “All things are yours; for ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s;” which rather recalls Deuteronomy 32:9, where the correlative truth to Numbers 18:20 occurs. For the figure of the cup, see Psalms 11:6. It had already become a synonym for “condition in…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 16 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance] The Messiah speaks. Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance; I seek no earthly good; I desire to do the will of God, and that only. It is God who has given me this lot-to redeem mankind-to have them for mine inheritance. From him I have received the cup of suffering, which I shall drink for their sake, through which I shall impart to them the cup of consolation. He, by the grace of God, has tasted death for every man; and he has instituted the cup of blessing to commemorate his passion and death.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 16 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5, 6. Jehovah is the Psalmist’s portion.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 16 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe Lord is the portion of mine inheritance - In contradistinction from idols.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 16 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
Lord, you give me stability and prosperity; you make my future secure.
Tyndale line
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou shalt mainteine my lot.
Strictly literal
Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
Jehovah [is] the portion of my share, and of my cup, Thou — Thou dost uphold my lot.
YHWH [is] the portion of my share, and of my cup, || You uphold my lot.
Thou, O Lord, art the portion of my inheritance, and my cup; thou hast drawn my lot.
Yahweh, you are my chosen portion and my cup. You hold onto my lot.
From the Latin
Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not moved.
Simplified
Lord, you alone are all I have; you give me what I need; you safeguard my future.
The Lord is my heritage and the wine of my cup; you are the supporter of my right.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states, "יְֽהוָ֗ה מְנָת־ חֶלְקִ֥י וְכוֹסִ֑י אַ֝תָּ֗ה תּוֹמִ֥יךְ גּוֹרָלִֽי׃" which translates to "The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure." The Septuagint closely aligns with this text, as 6 of the 7 words correspond directly, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, confirming the consistency of the Masoretic Text in this instance.
יְֽהוָ֗ה מְנָת־ חֶלְקִ֥י וְכוֹסִ֑י אַ֝תָּ֗ה תּוֹמִ֥יךְ גּוֹרָלִֽי׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 16:5
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
מָנָה (manah) refers to a part or portion, often in the context of food or divisions. It is derived from a root meaning to weigh out, indicating something that is measured or allocated. The entries consistently emphasize its use in describing portions or rations.
מָנָה n.f. part, portion
base
H4490 מָנָה
4490 manah maw-naw'
from 4487; properly, something weighed out, i.e. (generally)
a division; specifically (of food) a ration; also a
lot:--such things as belonged, part, portion.
see HEBREW for 04487
מָנָה (ma.nah) — portion.
part, portion
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word חֵ֫לֶק (*cheleq*) has two main meanings: it can refer to a portion or share, often in the context of land or inheritance, and it can denote smoothness or seductiveness, particularly in speech. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including as a divine award. Notably, it appears in Proverbs 7:21 in relation to speech.
חֵ֫לֶק n.m. portion, tract, territory
portion, share
portion, tract, of land
hence portion, i.e. (acquired) possession
chosen portion, habitual mode of life
portion, award, from God
H2506a חֵ֫לֶק portion, tract, territory H2506b חֵ֫לֶק smoothness, seductiveness of speech
2506 cheleq khay'lek
from 2505; properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an
allotment:--flattery, inheritance, part, X partake, portion.
see HEBREW for 02505
חֵ֫לֶק (che.leq) — portion.
1) portion, share, part, territory
1a) portion, share
1b) portion, tract, parcel (of land)
1c) one's portion, one's possession
1d) (chosen) portion
1e) portion, award (from God)
Aramaic equivalent: cha.laq (חֲלָק "portion" H2508)
חֵ֫לֶק (che.leq) — smoothness.
smoothness, seductiveness, flattery
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
כּוֹס (kos) primarily means 'cup,' referring to a container, but it also denotes a type of owl, considered unclean. The word seems to derive from a root meaning to hold together. The entries indicate a figurative use of 'cup' as a lot or potion, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
כּוֹס n.f. cup
base
כּוֹס n.[m.] a kind of owl
base
H3563a כּוֹס cup H3563b כּוֹס n. [m.] a kind of owl
3563 kowc koce
from an unused root meaning to hold together; a cup (as a
container), often figuratively, a lot (as if a potion); also
some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like
cavity of its eye):--cup, (small) owl. Compare 3599.
see HEBREW for 03599
כּוֹס (kos) — cup.
cup
כּוֹס (kos) — owl.
a kind of owl (an unclean bird)
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncfsc/Sp1bs
אַתָּ֫ה (attah) is a second-person pronoun in Hebrew, used to address someone directly. It has masculine and feminine forms: אַתָּה for singular masculine, אַתְּ for singular feminine, אַתֶּם for plural masculine, and אַתֵּן for plural feminine. The entries indicate variations in form and usage, reflecting the pronoun's grammatical complexity.
אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou
base
אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.)
base
אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.)
base
אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.)
base
אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)
base
H859a אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou H859b אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.) H859c אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.) H859d אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.) H859e אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)
859 'attah at-taw'
or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine
(irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem
{at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah
{at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun
of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and
you:--thee, thou, ye, you.
אַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — you(m.s.).
you (second pers. sing. masc.)
אתִּי (ti) — you(f.s.).
you (second pers. sing. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
אַתְּ (at.te) — you(f.s.).
you (second pers. sing. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
אַתֶּם (at.tem) — you(m.p.).
you (second pers. pl. masc.)
Aramaic equivalent: an.tun (אַנְתּוּן "you" H0608)
אַתֵּן (at.ten) — you(f.p.).
you (second pers. pl. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
Pron — PronounHPp2ms
The Hebrew word תָּמַךְ (tamak) is a primitive root meaning to grasp, support, or attain. It covers actions like holding fast, maintaining, and helping. The Qal form includes meanings such as to hold up or keep, while the Niphal form suggests being seized or held. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
[תָּמַךְ] vb. grasp, support, attain
Qal
grasp, lay hold of
hold up, support
hold, keep
Niph. in the cords of his sin is he seized
base
H8551 תָּמַךְ grasp, support, attain
8551 tamak taw-mak'
a primitive root; to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep
fast; figuratively, to help, follow close:--(take, up-)hold
(up), maintain, retain, stay (up).
תָּמַךְ (ta.makh) — to grasp.
1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain
1a2) to hold up, support
1a3) to hold, keep
1a4) to take hold of each other
1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
hol'-ding: Occurs with various shades of meaning:
(1) as the translation of tamakh, "to acquire," it has the sense of taking, obtaining (Isa 33:15, the Revised Version (British and American) "that shaketh his hands from taking a bribe," the English Revised Version, as the King James Version, "holding");
(2) of kul, "to hold," "contain," having the sense of containing or restraining (Jer 6:11, "I am weary with holding in");
גּוֹרָל (goral) refers to a 'lot' or 'portion,' often associated with decision-making through casting pebbles. It encompasses the idea of something assigned or apportioned, including land division and duties. The term can also imply recompense or retribution. The entries indicate that it is derived from a root meaning 'to be rough,' suggesting its connection to the physical stones used in the practice.
גּוֹרָל 77 n.m. & f. lot
lot for dividing land
lot for assigning to service, duty or punishment
thing assigned, apportioned, allotted
portion = recompence, retribution
base
H1486 גּוֹרָל lot
1486 gowral go-rawl'
or (shortened) goral {go-ral'}; from an unused root meaning
to be rough (as stone); properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small
stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion
or destiny (as if determined by lot):--lot.
גּוֹרָל (go.ral) — allotted.
1) lot
1a) lot-pebbles used for systematically making decisions
2) portion
2a) lot, portion (thing assigned by casting lots)
2b) recompense, retribution
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs