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Book of Luke - Chapter 1 - Verse 5

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.

Meaning

In this verse from the Gospel of Luke, we are introduced to Zacharias, a priest from the course of Abia, and his wife Elisabeth. The mention of King Herod of Judaea serves to anchor the events in a specific historical period. The fact that Zacharias is identified as a priest of the course of Abia is significant because the courses were a system put in place for organizing the service of the priests in the Temple. The reference to Elisabeth being from the daughters of Aaron highlights her lineage as a descendant of the priestly line. Together, Zacharias and Elisabeth represent a devout and deeply religious couple, setting the stage for the miraculous events to come, specifically the birth of their son John the Baptist who would play a crucial role in the coming of Jesus Christ.

Theological Overview

In this verse, we are introduced to Zacharias, a priest from the course of Abia, and his wife Elizabeth, who is from the lineage of Aaron. The mention of Zacharias being from the course of Abia is significant as it refers to the division of priests established by King David in the Old Testament, where each course served at the Temple for a specific period. This detail highlights Zacharias' devoutness and commitment to his priestly duties. Additionally, Elizabeth being from the lineage of Aaron emphasizes the couple's noble lineage and their righteousness before God. The names Zacharias and Elizabeth both carry meanings that add depth to their characters. Zacharias means "the Lord has remembered," suggesting God's faithfulness, while Elizabeth means "God is my oath," indicating her dedication to God. Through these theological interpretations and word studies, we gain a deeper understanding of the background and significance of the characters mentioned in this verse.

American Standard Version

There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah: and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
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