Rev 5:8 | RWP | e4.org | He had taken ( ελαβεν ). Here John drops back to the narrative tense (the second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω ), not the past perfect as the English rendering might indicate, merely "when he took." For like vivid variation (not confusion) of tenses with ειληφεν see ; ; and with ειρηκα in .; . Fell down ( επεσαν ). Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω with first aorist ( -αν ) ending, just "fell." Having ( εχοντες ). "Holding." A harp ( κιθαραν ). Old word, the traditional instrument (lyre or zithern) for psalmody ( ; , etc.). Golden bowls ( φιαλας χρυσας ). Broad shallow saucers, old word, in N.T. only in ; ; , , , , ; ; . Of incense ( θυμιαματων ). Old word from θυμιαω , to burn incense ( ), as in . Which are ( α εισιν ). "Which (these bowls of incense) symbolize the prayers of the saints as in ; .

‏ Revelation of John 5:8

He had taken ( ελαβεν ). Here John drops back to the narrative tense (the second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω ), not the past perfect as the English rendering might indicate, merely "when he took." For like vivid variation (not confusion) of tenses with ειληφεν see 3:3; 8:5; 11:17 and with ειρηκα in 7:13f.; 19:3.

Fell down ( επεσαν ). Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω with first aorist ( -αν ) ending, just "fell."

Having ( εχοντες ). "Holding."

A harp ( κιθαραν ). Old word, the traditional instrument (lyre or zithern) for psalmody (Ps 33:2; 98:5, etc.).

Golden bowls ( φιαλας χρυσας ). Broad shallow saucers, old word, in N.T. only in Re 5:8; 15:7; 16:1-4, 8, 10, 12, 17; 17:1; 21:9.

Of incense ( θυμιαματων ). Old word from θυμιαω, to burn incense (Lu 1:9), as in Lu 1:10.

Which are ( α εισιν ). "Which (these bowls of incense) symbolize the prayers of the saints as in Ps 140:2; Lu 1:10.