“Throw in your lot among us” translates what is literally “Let your lot fall with us.” The casting of lots was a common method in the Old Testament to determine God’s will or to affirm a divine decision. Lots were cast to divide land, or to assign service, duty, or punishment. According to Scott the expression as used here can mean either “be one of us when we cast lots to divide the proceeds,” or figuratively “join us, associate your fate with ours.” The latter interpretation seems preferred. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version understand it in the second sense as do Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “Come and share your luck with us” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “We will share the loot among us. Come do it with us.” Another translation has “You come and be a partner with us [exclusive].”

“We will all have one purse”: The robbers propose to share the loot they will take. “We” is inclusive again here. “Purse” or bag could refer to the bag that held the stones used in casting lots, or more probably it is used as an image representing the money, wealth, or possessions taken by the gang. In this case the sense is “We will share the money” or “Everyone will get a share of the loot.” Contemporary English Version says “If you join our gang, you’ll get your share.”

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 .