Luke 1:8

8 And it happened that [while]^[a] he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

Luke 1:8 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 1:8

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's
office
To which he was called and ordained, even to offer gifts and sacrifices for men; whilst he was in the way of his duty, when oftentimes God appears to, and in favour of his people; whilst he was performing it,

before God;
in the temple, where was the symbol of the divine presence, before the altar of the Lord; and as having the fear of God before his eyes; considering himself as in the sight of God, and doing his work faithfully and sincerely:

in the order of his course;
taking his turn in the order of the course of Abia, to which he belonged; (See Gill on Luke 1:5).

Luke 1:8 In-Context

6 And they were both righteous in the sight of God, living blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord.

7 And {they did not have} a child, because Elizabeth was barren. And they were both advanced {in years}.

8 And it happened that [while] he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

9 according to the custom of the priesthood he was chosen by lot to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense.

10 And the whole crowd of the people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal infinitive ("was serving as priest")