King James Bible
"According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord."
The priestly duties were determined by established tradition rather than personal choice. This system ensured fairness among the numerous priests who served in rotating divisions, preventing favoritism or monopolization of prestigious tasks. Zechariah was chosen by lot—likely casting stones or drawing names—to perform the incense offering, a rare privilege that a priest might receive only once in a lifetime. The lot's outcome was viewed as God's sovereign selection rather than mere chance. The incense was burned in the Holy Place, the inner sanctuary just outside the Holy of Holies, where only priests could enter. This moment represents the pinnacle of Zechariah's priestly service, placing him at the intersection of heaven and earth during the evening sacrifice.