Taming Coincidence: Acceptable and Unacceptable Ways to Take Control of Chance, as Depicted in the Hebrew Bible

Joanna NOWIŃSKA

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to present the methods described in the Hebrew Bible for taking control of chance events. The paper discusses the strategy to anticipate chance by drawing lots (using gōrāl) in the situations of land division, service in the Tabernacle, selection of an animal for the Yom Kippur sacrifice, and work for the community. The author shows protective measures adopted against chance, such as transferring responsibility to YHWH and manipulation of chance, as seen in the example of pur in the Book of Esther. Efforts to obtain even partial insight into chance by means of ephod, urim and tummim are characterized, as well as the application of terāpîm and magic, the latter rejected by the Hebrew Bible. The analyses of terms and contexts, with reference to literary methods and taking into account the specificities of culture and language, reveal the desire to maintain a sense of security and the faith in the logic of events, as well as in God’s omnipotence and love for people as factors inspiring attempts to control chance. The conclusions about the impossibility to manipulate chance, the transcendence of YHWH which goes beyond chance, and attempts, crucial for taming coincidence, to include all human activities in the space of the relationship with God prompt further research on prophecy as a category concerning protection against coincidences due to the Chosen People’s wrong decisions.