Luk 1:5 | JFB | STEP | 5. Herod-- (See on ). course of Abia-- or Abijah; the eighth of the twenty-four orders of courses into which David divided the priests (see , ). Of these courses only four returned after the captivity ( ), which were again subdivided into twenty-four--retaining the ancient name and order of each. They took the whole temple service for a week each. his wife was of the daughters of Aaron-- The priests might marry into any tribe, but "it was most commendable of all to marry one of the priests' line" [Lightfoot].

‏ Luke 1:5

Lu 1:5-25. Announcement of the Forerunner.

5. Herod--(See on Mt 2:1).

course of Abia--or Abijah; the eighth of the twenty-four orders of courses into which David divided the priests (see 1Ch 24:1, 4, 10). Of these courses only four returned after the captivity (Ezr 2:34-39), which were again subdivided into twenty-four--retaining the ancient name and order of each. They took the whole temple service for a week each.

his wife was of the daughters of Aaron--The priests might marry into any tribe, but "it was most commendable of all to marry one of the priests' line" [Lightfoot].