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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 8:3 - 8:3
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Another angel (allos aggelos). Not one of the seven of Rev 8:2 and before they began to sound the trumpets. This preliminary incident of the offering of incense on the altar covers Rev 8:3-6.
Stood (estathē). Ingressive first aorist passive of histēmi (intransitive), “took his place.”
Over the altar (epi tou thusiastēriou). See Rev 6:9 for the word for the burnt-offering, here apparently the altar of incense (clearly so in Luk 1:11; possibly also Rev 9:13), but it is not clear that in apocalyptic the distinction between the two altars of the tabernacle and temple is preserved. Aleph C Q have the genitive, while A P have the accusative epi to thusiastērion.
A golden censer (libanōton chrusoun). Old word for frankincense (from libanos, Mat 2:11; Rev 18:13), but here alone in N.T. and for censer, as is plain by the use of chrusoun (golden) with it. Cf. 1Ki 7:50.
Much incense (thumiamata polla). See Rev 5:8 for thumiama (the aromatic substance burnt, also in Rev 18:13), but here for the live coals on which the incense falls.
That he should add (hina dōsei). Sub-final clause (subject of edothē, was given, singular because thumiamata neuter plural) with hina and the future active indicative of didōmi, to give, instead of dōi, the second aorist subjunctive.
Unto the prayers (tais proseuchais). Dative case. In Rev 5:8 the thumiamata are the prayers.
Upon the golden altar (epi to thusiastērion to chrusoun to). Accusative case here, not genitive as above, and apparently the altar of incense as indicated by the word golden (Exo 30:1.; Lev 4:17). Note triple article here to (once before the substantive, once before the adjective, once before the adjunct “the one before the throne”).