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

7They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. 8One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. 11While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.

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“Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar.
• Exodus 37:25Then Bezalel made the incense altar of acacia wood. It was 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself.
• Numbers 16:40This would warn the Israelites that no unauthorized person—no one who was not a descendant of Aaron—should ever enter the Lord’s presence to burn incense. If anyone did, the same thing would happen to him as happened to Korah and his followers. So the Lord’s instructions to Moses were carried out.
• 1 Samuel 2:28I chose your ancestor Aaron from among all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the priestly vest as he served me. And I assigned the sacrificial offerings to you priests.
• 1 Chronicles 6:49Only Aaron and his descendants served as priests. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense, and they performed all the other duties related to the Most Holy Place. They made atonement for Israel by doing everything that Moses, the servant of God, had commanded them.
• 1 Chronicles 23:13The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart to dedicate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices in the Lord’s presence, to serve the Lord, and to pronounce blessings in his name forever.
• 2 Chronicles 26:16But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.
• 2 Chronicles 29:11My sons, do not neglect your duties any longer! The Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him, and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to him.”
• Hebrews 9:6When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious 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