Luke 1:5
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Original Language Analysis
Ἐγένετο
There was
G1096
Ἐγένετο
There was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
1 of 29
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραις
the days
G2250
ἡμέραις
the days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
4 of 29
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλέως
the king
G935
βασιλέως
the king
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
7 of 29
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίας
of Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίας
of Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
9 of 29
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
ὄνομα
name
G3686
ὄνομα
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
12 of 29
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Ζαχαρίας
Zacharias
G2197
Ζαχαρίας
Zacharias
Strong's:
G2197
Word #:
13 of 29
zacharias (i.e., zechariah), the name of two israelites
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
14 of 29
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἐφημερίας
the course
G2183
ἐφημερίας
the course
Strong's:
G2183
Word #:
15 of 29
diurnality, i.e., (specially) the quotidian rotation or class of the jewish priests' service at the temple, as distributed by families
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῆς
her
G846
αὐτῆς
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
21 of 29
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυγατέρων
the daughters
G2364
θυγατέρων
the daughters
Strong's:
G2364
Word #:
23 of 29
a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομα
name
G3686
ὄνομα
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
27 of 29
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Cross References
1 Chronicles 24:10The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah,Matthew 2:1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,1 Chronicles 24:19These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.Nehemiah 12:17Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai;Nehemiah 12:4Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,
Historical Context
Zechariah served in the priestly division of Abijah (one of 24 divisions rotating temple service). Priests married within Levitical families, and Elisabeth's Aaronic descent doubly qualified their son for prophetic ministry. Barrenness was considered a divine curse in Jewish culture (Genesis 30:23), making Elisabeth's situation particularly painful for a righteous priestly couple. This echoes the patriarchal narratives (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah) where God opened barren wombs to accomplish His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the contrast between Zechariah and Elisabeth's righteousness and their barrenness challenge merit-based thinking about God's blessings?
- What does God's choice of elderly, childless parents for John the Baptist teach about His sovereign timing and methods?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zechariah and Elisabeth are introduced as righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all commandments. The Greek 'dikaioi' (δίκαιοι, righteous) indicates their justified standing and moral uprightness. Their blamelessness in observing the law demonstrates that even perfect external obedience cannot guarantee answered prayer—Elisabeth remained barren despite their righteousness. This sets up the theme that God's timing and purposes transcend human merit, and His miraculous intervention comes by grace, not works.