Devine Scripture

Luke 1:9

What does Luke 1:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 1:9 means

According to priestly custom, Zacharias’s lot fell to enter the temple and burn incense. This detail explains the specific role he performed and tells us why he was alone before the altar. Burning incense was a sacred, regulated duty, often performed in the holy place. The casting of lots shows the orderliness of priestly service. Luke emphasizes God’s providence: Zacharias’s position at that moment places him in the precise situation for an extraordinary encounter.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And as was the way of the priests, he had to go into the Temple to see to the burning of perfumes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot was to make perfume, having gone into the sanctuary of the Lord,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

According to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense.

Context

This explains the immediate circumstances of the angel’s appearance. It follows the note that he was serving and specifies what he was doing. Knowing the ritual context—incense at the altar—helps readers visualize the scene and understand the sacredness in which God announced His plans.

v.8Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

v.9This passage

v.10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the hour of incense.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:11

    My sons, be not now negligent; for Jehovah hath chosen you to stand before him, to minister unto him, and that ye should be his ministers, and burn incense.

  • Exodus 30:7

    And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices: every morning, when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn it.

  • Numbers 16:40

    to be a memorial unto the children of Israel, to the end that no stranger, that is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to burn incense before Jehovah; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as Jehovah spake unto him by Moses.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:16

    But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Jehovah his God; for he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

  • 1 Chronicles 23:13

    The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons, for ever, to burn incense before Jehovah, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, for ever.

  • Hebrews 9:6

    Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services;

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