Book of Luke - Chapter 1 - Verse 11

In the book of Luke, chapter 1, verse 11, we read about the appearance of an angel of the Lord to a priest named Zechariah. The angel is described as standing on the right side of the altar of incense. This specific detail holds significance in the biblical context as the right side was traditionally seen as a place of honor and favor. The altar of incense itself symbolizes prayer and worship, making the angel's presence there highly symbolic. The appearance of the angel in this specific location signifies the importance of the message about to be delivered to Zechariah. It serves as a confirmation that this divine encounter is orchestrated by God and holds great significance. This verse sets the stage for the miraculous events that follow, demonstrating God's power and presence in the lives of His people. As readers journey through the Bible verse by verse, this encounter reminds them of the divine intervention and guidance that can be found throughout the scriptures.

When looking at the theological interpretation of the verse "And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense," we can see that angels play a significant role in the Bible as messengers of God. In this particular verse, the angel appears to Zacharias to deliver the news of the impending birth of his son, John the Baptist. The positioning of the angel on the right side of the altar of incense holds symbolic significance as well. In ancient Jewish tradition, the right side was seen as the side of favor and blessing, indicating that the message being delivered was from God and carried divine authority. The altar of incense itself was used for offering prayers to God, and the presence of the angel in this sacred space reinforces the importance of the message being delivered. The word study of "altar of incense" reveals that this altar was used in the Old Testament as a place of worship and communication with God, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the encounter between Zacharias and the angel.