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Acdah

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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a name given by the idolatrous Arabs to a species of arrows without iron and feathers, which were used for purposes of divination. "The ancient idolatrous Arabs used a sort of lots, which were called lots by arrows. They were three in number. — Upon one of them was written 'Command me, Lord;' upon the second, ‘ Forbid or prevent, Lord'; while the third was blank. When any one wished to determine on a course of action, he went with a present to the diviner (the chief priest of the temple), who drew one of his arrows from his bag, and if the arrow of command appeared, he immediately set about the affair; if that of prohibition appeared, he deferred the execution of his enterprise for a whole year; but if the blank arrow came out, he was to draw again. The Arabs consulted these arrows in all their affairs, particularly their warlike expeditions."