Footnote

Every day they used to remove the ashes from off the Altar at cock-crow, or near to it, either before it or after it; but on the Day of Atonement [they did so] at midnight, and on the Feast [Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles] at the first watch. And before the [time of] cock-crow drew near the Temple Court was filled with Israelites.

“Beforetime whosoever was minded to clear the Altar of ashes did so. If they were many they used to run and mount the [Altar-] Ramp and he that came first within four cubits secured the task. . . . When the Court saw that they incurred danger they ordained that they should not clear the Altar save by lot. There were four lots: and this was the first lot.”