Revelation 8:3

Authorized King James Version

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And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἄλλος another G243
ἄλλος another
Strong's: G243
Word #: 2 of 33
"else," i.e., different (in many applications)
ἄγγελος angel G32
ἄγγελος angel
Strong's: G32
Word #: 3 of 33
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ἦλθεν came G2064
ἦλθεν came
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 4 of 33
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 5 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐστάθη stood G2476
ἐστάθη stood
Strong's: G2476
Word #: 6 of 33
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ at G1909
ἐπὶ at
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 7 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυσιαστήριον, altar G2379
θυσιαστήριον, altar
Strong's: G2379
Word #: 9 of 33
a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)
ἔχων having G2192
ἔχων having
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 10 of 33
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
λιβανωτὸν censer G3031
λιβανωτὸν censer
Strong's: G3031
Word #: 11 of 33
frankincense, i.e., (by extension) a censer for burning it
χρυσοῦν a golden G5552
χρυσοῦν a golden
Strong's: G5552
Word #: 12 of 33
made of gold
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 13 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δώσῃ he should offer G1325
δώσῃ he should offer
Strong's: G1325
Word #: 14 of 33
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτῷ unto him G846
αὐτῷ unto him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 15 of 33
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
θυμιάματα incense G2368
θυμιάματα incense
Strong's: G2368
Word #: 16 of 33
an aroma, i.e., fragrant powder burnt in religious service; by implication, the burning itself
πολλὰ much G4183
πολλὰ much
Strong's: G4183
Word #: 17 of 33
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ἵνα that G2443
ἵνα that
Strong's: G2443
Word #: 18 of 33
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
δώσῃ he should offer G1325
δώσῃ he should offer
Strong's: G1325
Word #: 19 of 33
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προσευχαῖς it with the prayers G4335
προσευχαῖς it with the prayers
Strong's: G4335
Word #: 21 of 33
prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 22 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίων saints G40
ἁγίων saints
Strong's: G40
Word #: 23 of 33
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
πάντων of all G3956
πάντων of all
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 24 of 33
all, any, every, the whole
ἐπὶ at G1909
ἐπὶ at
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 25 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 26 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θυσιαστήριον, altar G2379
θυσιαστήριον, altar
Strong's: G2379
Word #: 27 of 33
a place of sacrifice, i.e., an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 28 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρυσοῦν a golden G5552
χρυσοῦν a golden
Strong's: G5552
Word #: 29 of 33
made of gold
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 30 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐνώπιον was before G1799
ἐνώπιον was before
Strong's: G1799
Word #: 31 of 33
in the face of (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 32 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θρόνου the throne G2362
θρόνου the throne
Strong's: G2362
Word #: 33 of 33
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate

Cross References

Revelation 5:8And 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.Revelation 8:4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.Revelation 9:13And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,Psalms 141:2Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Luke 1:10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Hebrews 9:4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;Exodus 40:26And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:Hebrews 7:25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.Romans 8:34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Analysis & Commentary

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was... This verse from Revelation's vision of seventh seal and first four trumpets - escalating judgments, angelic ministry employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophetic literature, drawing heavily from Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Zechariah.

The symbolism must be interpreted within its first-century context while recognizing timeless spiritual realities. The imagery would resonate powerfully with persecuted believers facing Roman imperial cult worship, providing hope that despite present suffering, Christ reigns sovereign and will consummate His kingdom. The apocalyptic genre uses symbolic numbers (seven, twelve, 144,000), colors, beasts, and cosmic imagery to convey theological truth rather than photographic descriptions.

Christologically, Revelation consistently exalts Jesus as the victorious Lamb, the faithful witness, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Every vision ultimately points to Christ's supremacy, His finished redemptive work, and His certain return to judge the living and dead and establish the new creation.

Historical Context

John received this revelation circa AD 95 during Domitian's persecution, exiled on Patmos for his testimony. The seven churches of Asia Minor faced increasing pressure to participate in emperor worship and pagan religious practices. Refusal meant economic hardship, social ostracism, and potential martyrdom. Understanding this context illuminates Revelation's encouragement to faithful endurance.

The apocalyptic genre was familiar to first-century Jewish and Christian readers. Rather than newspaper-style predictions, apocalyptic literature uses symbolic imagery to reveal spiritual realities behind earthly events, encourage the faithful, warn the unfaithful, and assert God's ultimate sovereignty over history. Parallels with Daniel, Ezekiel, and intertestamental apocalyptic writings would help original readers decode the symbols.

Rome's imperial cult demanded worship of Caesar as divine, placing Christians in impossible situations—compromise their faith or face persecution. Revelation identifies Rome as "Babylon" and assures believers that despite appearances, the Lamb conquered through His death and resurrection, and all earthly kingdoms will submit to His reign.

Questions for Reflection

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