“The lot puts an end to disputes”: “The lot” renders the same Hebrew word as used in 1.14 and 16.33. Lots were possibly small marked pebbles or pieces of clay which were thrown to decide various issues. It was recognized that God determined the way the lots fell and so the decision was divinely made. “Puts an end to” means “settles,” “resolves,” “decides.” “Disputes” or quarrels between people were settled by the casting of lots.

“And decides between powerful contenders”: Instead of a judge hearing arguments and deciding a case on its merits, the casting of lots (Contemporary English Version “drawing straws”) decided. “Powerful contenders” renders a word meaning “the mighty” or “powerful people.” In the context of this saying these are men of great influence, people in high positions. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project accepts both “litigants” and “powerful people.” Litigants are people engaged in a lawsuit. Note Good News Translation “two powerful people are opposing each other in court.” We may translate the whole verse, for example, “Throw dice to stop people from quarreling and decide who is right between powerful people.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .