Luke 1:9

Luke 1:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
• New International Version (NIV)he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
• English Standard Version (ESV)according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
• New King James Version (NKJV)according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

Context of Luke 1:9

7Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn’t become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children. 8Zechariah was on duty with his division of priests. As he served in God’s presence, he was chosen by priestly custom to go into the Lord’s temple to burn incense. 10All the people were praying outside while he was burning incense. 11Then, to the right of the incense altar, an angel of the Lord appeared to him.

Luke 1:9 word by word

κατὰ τὸ ἔθος τῆς ἱερατείας ἔλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦ κυρίου·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• According toκατάkata · according toG2596
• the customἔθοςethos · customG1485
• of the priest’s officeἱερατείαhierateia · priesthoodG2405
• his lot wasλαγχάνωlagchanō · to choose by lotG2975
• to burn incenseθυμιάωthumiaō · to burn incenseG2370
• when he wentεἰσέρχομαιeiserchomai · to enterG1525
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the templeναόςnaos · templeG3485
• of the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for Luke 1:9

• Exodus 30:7“Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on this altar every morning when he takes care of the lamps.
• Exodus 37:25He made an altar out of acacia wood for burning incense. It was 18 inches square and 36 inches high. The horns and altar were made out of one piece ⌞of wood⌟.
• Numbers 16:40following the command that the Lord had given through Moses. The bronze-covered altar will remind Israel that no one but a descendant of Aaron can come near to burn incense to the Lord. Everyone else will die like Korah and his followers.
• 1 Samuel 2:28I chose ⌞one of your ancestors⌟ out of all the tribes of Israel to serve as my priest, to sacrifice burnt offerings on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the ephod in my presence. And I gave your ancestors the right to keep portions of the sacrifices that the people of Israel burned on the altar.
• 1 Chronicles 6:49Aaron and his descendants offered sacrifices on the altar for burnt offerings and on the altar for incense. They did all the work in the most holy place and removed Israel’s sins to make Israel acceptable to God. They did exactly what God’s servant Moses had commanded.
• 1 Chronicles 23:13Amram’s sons were Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his sons were forever designated to dedicate the most holy things ⌞to God⌟, to offer sacrifices to the Lord, to serve him, and always give the blessing in his name.
• 2 Chronicles 26:16But when he became powerful, his pride destroyed him. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God. He went into the Lord’s temple to burn incense on the incense altar.
• 2 Chronicles 29:11Don’t be negligent, my sons. The Lord has chosen you to stand in front of him, serve him, be his servants, and burn sacrifices.”
• Hebrews 9:6That is how these two parts of the tent were set up. The priests always went into the first part of the tent to perform their duties.

Commentaries on Luke 1:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9His lot was, etc. - We are informed in the Talmud, that it was the custom of the priests to divide the different functions of the sacerdotal office among themselves by lot: and, in this case, the decision of the lot was, that Zacharias should at that time burn the incense before the Lord, in the holy place.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9According to the custom of the priest‘s office, his lot was. - The Jewish writers inform us that it was customary for the priests to divide their daily task by “lot.” To burn incense - Incense is an aromatic or white rosin procured from trees, chiefly in Arabia. It is obtained by making incisions in the tree, and the gum flows out. It is distinguished for an especially pleasant “smell” when burned, and was therefore used in ancient worship. It was burned…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-25Verses 5-25 The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9Zechariah's division was on duty … he was chosen by lot: It was common in Old Testament times to cast lots (similar to throwing dice) to determine God’s will (1 Chronicles 26:13–16; Nehemiah 11:1; Proverbs 16:33; Jonah 1:7). There were 24 orders of priests that took turns serving in the temple (1 Chronicles 24:1–19). They cast lots to choose which priest would serve in the sanctuary of the temple. There were many priests, so this honor might come only…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. his lot was to burn incense--The part assigned to each priest in his week of service was decided by lot. Three were employed at the offering of incense--to remove the ashes of the former service; to bring in and place on the golden altar the pan filled with hot burning coals taken from the altar of burnt offering; and to sprinkle the incense on the hot coals; and, while the smoke of it ascended, to make intercession for the people. This was the most…Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 1:9

• Barrenness
• Elisabeth (Elizabeth)
• Joy
• Lot, the
• Priest
• Temple
• Zacharias (Zechariah)

In the dictionaries

• Lot
• Begin
• Certainty
• Conceive
• Estate
• Ministration
• Noise
• Righteousness
• Salutation
• Sign

Commentaries on Luke 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings