The "Course of Abia" refers to one of the twenty-four divisions of the priestly service established by King David for the temple duties, as detailed in the Old Testament. This division system was designed to organize the priests' responsibilities in the temple, ensuring that the worship and sacrifices were conducted in an orderly and continuous manner. The term "Abia" is a variant of "Abijah," which is the name of the priestly family that led this particular course.

Biblical Reference:

The primary biblical reference to the Course of Abia is found in 1 Chronicles 24:10, where the divisions of the priests are listed: "the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah" . This passage outlines the establishment of the priestly courses by David, with the assistance of Zadok, a priest from the line of Eleazar, and Ahimelech, a priest from the line of Ithamar. The division of Abijah was the eighth in this sequence.

Historical Context:

The division into courses was a practical solution to manage the large number of priests available for service. Each course was responsible for ministering in the temple for one week at a time, twice a year, in addition to serving during major festivals when all courses were present. This system allowed for an organized rotation, ensuring that the temple was always staffed with priests to perform the necessary rituals and sacrifices.

New Testament Connection:

The Course of Abia is also mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 1:5, we read about Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist: "In the time of Herod king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. He had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth" . This reference highlights the continuity of the priestly divisions from the time of David through to the New Testament period.

Zechariah's service in the temple, as part of the Course of Abia, sets the stage for the angel Gabriel's announcement of the birth of John the Baptist. This event underscores the significance of the priestly courses in maintaining the religious traditions and practices of Israel, even as they played a role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the coming of the Messiah.

Significance:

The Course of Abia, like the other priestly divisions, reflects the order and structure that characterized the worship practices of ancient Israel. It demonstrates the importance of lineage and heritage in the priestly duties, as well as the continuity of worship from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The mention of the Course of Abia in the context of Zechariah's service also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as the birth of John the Baptist heralded the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior.Course Of Abia

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.

Appendix vii. On the Date of the Nativity of Our Lord
... as furnished in this notice (Luke 1:5) of his annunication to his father, that
Zacharias officiated in the Temple as on of the course of Abia' (see here vol. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix vii on the date.htm

Elijah Come Again
... LUKE Chaps. I to XII ELIJAH COME AGAIN. 'There was, in the days of Herod the king
of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/elijah come again.htm

The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
... It was the first week in October 748 auc, [631] that is, in the sixth year before
our present era, when the course of Abia' [632] - the eighth in the original ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the annunciation of.htm

Of the Question How it Can be Shown that the Narrative of the Haul ...
... his Gospel in the following fashion: "There was in the days of Herod the king of
Jud??a, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter ix of the question how.htm

From the Fourth Chapter.
... But Luke said, "There was a priest, by name Zachariah, of the course of Abia, and
his wife was of the daughters of Aaron:" [2268] this is the likeness of a calf ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the fourth chapter.htm

A Statement of the Manner in which Luke's Procedure is Proved to ...
... [721] There was, in the days of Herod the king of Jud??a, a certain priest named
Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter v a statement of the.htm

A People Prepared for the Lord
... Chapter l. Verses 5, 6. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain
priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/a people prepared for the.htm

Matt. xxv. 1-30.
... They were afterwards made for a year. And this the evangelist declared, when he
was speaking of Zacharias, saying, that he was of the course of Abia. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxviii matt xxv 1-30.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... Rehoboam, Abia, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Ahaziah, and Athaliah; and nine God defended,
viz. ... In a moment the course of years shall end, when the four hours come ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... of Urias; and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa ... to
ourselves and relates to taking nourishment (which cannot of course be taken ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

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