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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

Context of Luke 1:9

7But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 8Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

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 fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps.
• Exodus 37:25They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it.
• Numbers 16:40as the Lord directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the Lord, or he would become like Korah and his followers.
• 1 Samuel 2:28I chose your ancestor out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your ancestor’s family all the food offerings presented by the Israelites.
• 1 Chronicles 6:49But Aaron and his descendants were the ones who presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel, in accordance with all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
• 1 Chronicles 23:13The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the Lord, to minister before him and to pronounce blessings in his name forever.
• 2 Chronicles 26:16But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.
• 2 Chronicles 29:11My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him and serve him, to minister before him and to burn incense.”
• Hebrews 9:6When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry.

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