Great care was taken in the selection of wives for the Jewish priests, so that the line of priests might be kept in every respect unsullied. “It was lawful for a priest to marry a Levitess or, indeed, a daughter of Israel; but it was most commendable of all to marry one of the priests’ line” (Lightfoot, Horae Hebraicae). Zacharias was specially honored in having for his wife one of the descendants of Aaron.