a kind of divination performed by the throwing of dice, or little bones; and observing the points, or marks, turned up. The word comes from ἀλήσις, "lot," and κεραία, "divination." At Bura, a city of Achaia, was a temple and celebrated oracle of Hercules; where such as consulted the oracle, after praying to the idol, threw four dies, the points whereof being well scanned by the priest, he was supposed to draw an answer from them.

Something of this kind seems to have been practised with regard to Jonah.