ISB ~ Luke 1 v10

hour of incense:Also called the “hour of prayer” (Acts 3:1). Priests burned incense twice a day in the Temple, at the morning and evening sacrifices (Ex 30:7-8).The evening liturgy took place about 3 P.M. while crowds prayed in the Temple courts. Since most priests were honored to burn incense only once in their lifetime, this was the crowning moment of Zechariah’s ministry. He would offer prayers and incense in the Temple’s second holiest chamber, the Holy Place, and emerge to bless the people (1:21; Num 6:22-27). See note on Lk 1:5.