Chapter

Luke 1:9

ESV according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
NIV he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
NASB according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
CSB it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
NLT As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.
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.
NKJV according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

What does Luke 1:9 mean?

In one sense, the number of priests serving in the temple would have been limited. Only a single "division" of priests served at a time (Luke 1:8; 1 Chronicles 24:10). The 24 divisions all came from the lineage of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi. As compared to the full population of Israel, this would have left a relatively tiny portion directly serving in the temple at any given time.

And yet, there were not that many tasks to be performed on a regular basis. Some rites were done more often than others. All were considered an honor (Joshua 18:7), some more than others. The twice-daily offering of incense seems to have been one such honor (Exodus 30:1–8). For that reason, it seems random chance (Luke 1:8) was used to decide who would perform this task. Scholars indicate a given priest may have performed this sacrament once—if that—in their entire life. This may be the case for Zechariah. If so, the timing of God's vision and prediction are further proof of their miraculous nature (Luke 1:11).
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