Luke 1:8
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
Original Language Analysis
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
Ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
1 of 15
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερατεύειν
executed the priest's office
G2407
ἱερατεύειν
executed the priest's office
Strong's:
G2407
Word #:
5 of 15
to be a priest, i.e., perform his functions
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
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
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τάξει
the order
G5010
τάξει
the order
Strong's:
G5010
Word #:
9 of 15
regular arrangement, i.e., (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐφημερίας
course
G2183
ἐφημερίας
course
Strong's:
G2183
Word #:
11 of 15
diurnality, i.e., (specially) the quotidian rotation or class of the jewish priests' service at the temple, as distributed by families
αὐτοῦ
he
G846
αὐτοῦ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 15
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
Cross References
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.2 Chronicles 8:14And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.2 Chronicles 31:2And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.Luke 1:5There 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.Exodus 29:9And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest's office shall be their's for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.Exodus 28:1And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.Exodus 28:41And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.Exodus 29:1And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish,Exodus 29:44And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.Exodus 30:30And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.
Historical Context
The priestly courses, established by David (1 Chr 24), ensured orderly temple service. Abijah's course served the eighth rotation. Zacharias's presence at this moment was no accident but divine appointment in redemptive history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this demonstrate God's sovereignty over seemingly ordinary circumstances?
- What does faithful service in your assigned role have to do with God's larger purposes?
- How can you recognize God's providential timing in your own life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zacharias's priestly service 'before God' occurred 'in the order of his course,' demonstrating God's sovereignty in providential timing. Of 20,000 priests divided into 24 courses, only twice yearly did each division serve. That Zacharias's division was serving precisely when Gabriel would appear shows divine orchestration. Reformed theology recognizes God's absolute control over seemingly random circumstances, ordering history according to His eternal decree for redemptive purposes.