Ancient Toys & GamesDaily we make new discoveries about the world, and the more we discover the more we realize our connectedness to history and to varied people groups. Anthropologists continually � nd evidence of high intelligence in our earliest relatives and shared themes that point to common roots. Despite separation of continents, we share incredible historic commonality including:

• Creation accounts • Ark/Flood accounts • High towers similar in construction principles (such as ziggurats and pyramids)• Dragon legends • Weapons• Musical instruments• Toys and games

These similarities are evidence of a common origin rather than simple parallel development, and all within a relatively short amount of time. These things are expected in light of the Bible, which teaches us about the history of man and gives insight into the universe in which we live. Knowing this, it gives us more understanding of how to work and play in our young earth.

Ancient Man, Intelligence, Toys and Games The historic account of man’s beginning in Genesis includes examples of metallurgy, music, architecture, agriculture, animal husbandry, and other disciplines. The soundest conclusion drawn from the study of the Bible is that early man was intelligent and creative. This shouldn’t be a surprise to us since the fi rst man Adam and Eve were “programmed” with knowledge by God, and had direct contact with Him—the source of all knowledge and creativity.Adam and Eve must have been an incredible source of knowledge for human kind, and according to biblically based genealogies, he lived over 15% of the entire length of world history dying at the age of 930. Since then, mankind has seen a reduction in average lifespan and an increase in DNA mutations (which may account for some of this loss).All of this stands in marked contrast to the philosophies and historic interpretations of evolutionists who posit that early man was primitive in body and mind and modern man culminates the best of both. Yet many of the technologies we have today � nd their source in so-called “primitive” man.Even the toys and games played today � nd their source in ancient history from the Middle East to the Far East and from the depths of Africa to the furthest reaches of India. Today, dice, war, strategy, and racing games � nd their source in the Royal Game of Ur, Mancala, Tabula, and Go along with the Egyptian games of Senet, (the Game of Twenty Squares) Tau (Robbers), and Fox & Hounds, from thousands of years ago. These ancient games led to Backgammon, Dominoes, Chess, Parcheesi, Nine Men’s Morris, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Chutes & Ladders, and Mahjong along with many others. Today both the newer and the ancient games are played around the globe.Along with games, archeological � nds from the oldest of civilizations include toys. Ancient toys include wooden spinning tops, dolls, � gurines, Rattleback, wheeled push and pull toys, mechanical toys, marbles, jump ropes, jacks, and much more.These ancient toys and games are found in dig sites from various time periods, di� erent countries, and from the lowest to highest social strata. It surprises many to learn that these ancient toys and games are not too di� erent from those played in recent history and even today.

Royal game of Ur

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Toys and Games in Bible TimesWhile toys and games found around the world seem to appear in a short span after the Flood of Noah, there is sparse reference to toys or games in the Bible. In Isaiah 22:18 the prophet tells Shebna that God will “toss you like a ball,” and in Judges 16:25 the wounded and defeated Samson was brought out of his cell to perform or entertain the enemy.There are a couple of references to children playing games.

“The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.” (Zechariah 8:5)

And in the New Testament children at play seem to be mimicking the adult world with both funerals and weddings.

They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: “We played the � ute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep.”

(Luke 7:32)

There is extreme care followed by the people of ancient Israel in avoiding images made in the form of people or other living creatures due to the fact that so many images were used for the purpose of idolatry (e.g., Exodus 20:4; Leviticus 26:1). Images and dolls were often a part of idolatry in religious ceremonies, and were likely not common for children in ancient Israel.But toys and games have been found throughout the Middle East, including in Israel and in the surrounding nations that at times occupied Israel. Games developed from Egypt and Mesopotamia eventually were carried by the Roman armies throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. At the time of Christ, the Roman soldiers were playing with dice and enjoyed various games including Merels, from which comes Nine Men’s Morris found in England where the Romans once ruled.

Casting Lots, Dice, and Gambling in the Bible There are many references to “casting lots” in the Bible (e.g., Joshua 18:6; 1 Chronicles 24:31; Acts 1:26). The exact shape or format of the casting of lots is unclear, but it seems clear that when the casting of lots was done in order to discern the will of God, God honored the act.Dice have been found in the earliest games and are useful for moving a game piece without personal decision or bias (like fl ipping a coin). But there is a marked diff erence between obeying God’s direction to cast lots and gambling for profi t. One seeks the will of God and the other is an attempt to cheat others for personal gain or to manipulate the providence of God. Historically, the volumes of laws designed to deter gambling and the various recorded accounts of the devastating consequences of gambling in personal lives bears out the negative consequences of games of chance.At the Cross of Christ the contrast was striking. Through God’s providence He sent Jesus Christ to die for us to pay our sin debt and to adopt those He had called. At the same time, at the foot of the Cross Roman soldiers were casting lots for the clothing of Jesus. They gained mere rags when they could have potentially received eternal life.While God’s appointed prophets and apostles sought the Lord’s will by casting lots, what about today? Is it necessary for us to cast lots or put out a � eece or to do any ceremony or act to know the will of God? No. God’s Word is now complete, and reveals to us the will of God. And by renewing our minds daily with His truth, we can discern His will.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacri� ce, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1–2)

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