# General Information:

Zechariah and Elizabeth are introduced. These verses give background information about them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# Connecting Statement:

The angel prophesies the birth of John.

# In the days of Herod, king of Judea

The phrase "In the days of" is used to indicate a new event. Alternate translation: "During the time that King Herod ruled over Judea" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])

# there was a certain

"there was a particular" or "there was a." This is a way of introducing a new character in a story. Consider how your language does this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants]])

# division

It is understood that this refers to the priests. Alternate translation: "division of priests" or "group of priests" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# of Abijah

"who descended from Abijah." Abijah was an ancestor of this group of priests and all of them were descended from Aaron, who was the first Israelite priest.

# His wife was from the daughters of Aaron

"His wife was descended from Aaron." This means she was from the same line of priests as Zechariah. Alternate translation: "His wife was also descended from Aaron" or "Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were both descended from Aaron" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# from the daughters of Aaron

"descended from Aaron"