According to Luke: An Analytical Commentary

Luke 1:5

5 There was (introduces a real historical setting) in the days (during the time period; approximately 7-4 B.C.) of Herod (Herod the Great, ruler appointed by Rome; known for cruelty and large building projects) the king of Judaea (formerly Judah, the southern kingdom after splitting with Israel; one of the original twelve tribes), a certain priest (a specific man among the thousands of priests) named Zacharias (meaning “Jehovah/Yahweh remembers”; fitting for the circumstance), of the course of Abia (from the division of Abijah; priestly families rotated temple service in twenty-four courses per 1 Chronicles 24:10), and his wife (introducing importance of lineage and marital connection) was of the daughters of Aaron (descended from priestly line; showing double priestly heritage), and her name was Elisabeth (meaning “God is my oath”).