Revelation 5:8
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔλαβεν
he had taken
G2983
ἔλαβεν
he had taken
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
3 of 31
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβύτεροι
elders
G4245
πρεσβύτεροι
elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
13 of 31
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχοντες
having
G2192
ἔχοντες
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
18 of 31
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θυμιαμάτων
of odours
G2368
θυμιαμάτων
of odours
Strong's:
G2368
Word #:
25 of 31
an aroma, i.e., fragrant powder burnt in religious service; by implication, the burning itself
αἵ
which
G3739
αἵ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
26 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προσευχαὶ
the prayers
G4335
προσευχαὶ
the prayers
Strong's:
G4335
Word #:
29 of 31
prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
Cross References
Psalms 141:2Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Revelation 5:14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.Revelation 4:10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,Revelation 4:4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.Revelation 5:6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.Revelation 19:4And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.Psalms 33:2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.Revelation 4:8And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.Revelation 15:7And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.Revelation 15:2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Historical Context
Temple worship featured incense offerings at the golden altar, symbolizing prayers ascending to God. Early Christians, lacking temples, understood themselves as living temples offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5). This vision encouraged persecuted churches that their prayers were not ignored but treasured in heaven's throne room.
Questions for Reflection
- How does seeing your prayers as incense in golden bowls before God's throne elevate your view of prayer's importance?
- What does the combination of harps (praise) and incense (prayer) teach about balanced worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The elders' harps and golden vials (bowls) of incense symbolize worship and intercession. Harps accompany Psalmic praise; incense represents prayers of the saints (Psalm 141:2), mediated through Christ our High Priest. This heavenly scene depicts corporate worship where earthly prayers ascend as pleasing fragrance. Reformed theology affirms that believers' prayers, imperfect in themselves, are perfected through Christ's intercession. The 'saints' (Greek 'hagiōn') refers to all believers, emphasizing the church's priestly role in corporate worship and intercession.