Bible Dictionary
CONSORT
To consort is to associate or unite with others, literally to cast one’s lot with them. In Acts 17:4 it describes people who joined Paul and Silas.
Definition
To consort is to associate, unite, or cast one’s lot with others. It describes joining oneself to a group or sharing its position.
Biblical Usage
In Acts, some people consorted or united with Paul and Silas. The passage may also be understood as saying that they were added to them.
Historical Background
The underlying verb is related to allotting or assigning by lot, which gives rise to the English association with casting one’s lot with others.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kon-sort' (proskleroo, "to allot," Ac 17:4). The verb may be either in the middle or passive voice. the Revised Version (British and American), the King James Version, and Luther's German translation regard it as middle, and render it: "cast their lots with," "associated," "united with." In advocacy of the passive, see Alford's Greek Testament, proposing: "were added," as if by lot, the allotment eing determined by God who gave them the Holy Spirit directing their choice. The English has the Latin for "lot" as its base.</p>