Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
the eighth of the 24 courses or classes into which the priests were divided for serving at the altar. (1 Chronicles 24; Luke 1:5) See Abia, Abiah, Or Abijah, Abijah Or Abijam, 4.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
ABI'A, COURSE OF. Luke 1:5. In 1 Chr 24 we have an account of the divisions of the priests into twenty four classes, courses, or orders, who ministered at the altar in rotation. The courses were distinguished by the name of the most prominent member of the family from which the course was taken. The eighth of these courses fell to the family of Abia or Abijah; and to this course belonged Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist.
✦ Scripture References 2 references