1:26a

they: This pronoun probably refers to the same group as in 1:24. The leader, probably Peter, actually cast the lots with the rest of the people approving of doing so.

cast lots:
A Greek word that many English versions translate as “for them” occurs here. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this word. It indicates that the eleven apostles cast lots for the sake of the two men.

This phrase probably refers to putting marked objects (lots) into a bag or container. The objects were usually pebbles. They were either marked with different colors, different symbols, or each pebble having one name. Then a person shook the bag until one of the objects fell out. They expected the Lord to cause the right marked object to fall out. In some languages people are not familiar with this practice. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Describe the event in your translation. For example:

shook ⌊a bag with⌋ stones ⌊with names on them⌋
-or-

⌊put individually marked⌋ pebbles ⌊in a bag and⌋ shook ⌊it⌋

• Describe the purpose of the event in your translation. For example:

cast lots ⌊to choose between the two of them⌋

• Use a practice in your area that is used in this way. For example:

drew names (God’s Word)
-or-
drew straws
-or-
played the game of choosing

You may then want to indicate the literal words and explain them in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

Literally “threw lots/objects.” This refers to putting marked objects into a bag. The objects were usually pebbles. They were either marked with different colors, different symbols, or each pebble having one name. Then a person shook the bag until one of the objects fell out.

1:26b

the lot fell to Matthias: This clause indicates that the object marked for Matthias fell out of the bag. This event indicated that the Lord chose Matthias. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the lot with Matthias’s name fell out
-or-
the one chosen was Matthias (Good News Translation)

1:26c

he was added to the eleven apostles: This clause is passive. Here are some ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

who was added to the group of eleven apostles (Good News Translation)

• Use an active verb. The same people (“they” in 1:26a) that cast lots added him. For example:

⌊they⌋ added him to the eleven apostles

added to: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as added is literally “numbered” (as in the English Standard Version). It indicates that the believers called Matthias an apostle. They considered him to be one of the twelve apostles. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

counted with (NET Bible)
-or-
chosen to join (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
elected to be (Revised English Bible)

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