KJV: And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
YLT: and the messenger took the censer, and did fill it out of the fire of the altar, and did cast it to the earth, and there came voices, and thunders, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Darby: And the angel took the censer, and filled it from the fire of the altar, and cast it on the earth: and there were voices, and thunders and lightnings, and an earthquake.
ASV: And the angel taketh the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Then the angel took coals from the altar, placed them in his censer, and threw them out onto the earth. These coals of fire, symbolic of judgment, produced symbols of catastrophe: thunder, lightning, and earthquake (cf. Ezekiel 10:2-7). The censer thus became a symbolic instrument of judgment in response to prayer. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Revelation 8:1-13 - The Four First Trumpets Include The Devastation Of Natural Objects. The Dumb Creation, And Even The Earth Itself, Suffers For Man's Sin. Think Of The Horses Wounded In Battle, Dying In Long Agony; Of Vast Tracks Of Country Once Smiling, With Harvest Becoming A Wilderness; Of The Soil Compelled To Produce The Ingredients Of Poisoning And Intoxication. Poor Mother Earth! Goethe Said That He Could Hear Her Sighing As A Captive For Redemption.
The seventh seal includes the seven trumpets. What a contrast that pause must have been to the jubilant songs of the great multitude! In the Jewish temple, we are told, the musical instruments and chanting resounded during the offering of the sacrifices, which occupied the first part of the service; but at the offering of the incense a solemn silence was observed, Psalms 62:1. The people prayed quietly without, at the time of incense. What a glimpse is here afforded of the intercession of our great High Priest! The smoke of the incense of His great merit arises with the prayers of the saints. Pray on, believer, though your voice be feeble, and so much imperfection mingles with your efforts to serve God. The incense of Christ's intercession is fragrant enough to make even you acceptable.
The four first trumpets include the devastation of natural objects. The dumb creation, and even the earth itself, suffers for man's sin. Think of the horses wounded in battle, dying in long agony; of vast tracks of country once smiling, with harvest becoming a wilderness; of the soil compelled to produce the ingredients of poisoning and intoxication. Poor Mother Earth! Goethe said that he could hear her sighing as a captive for redemption. [source]
Chapter Summary: Revelation 8
1At the opening of the seventh seal, 2Seven angels have seven trumpets given them 6Four of them sound their trumpets and great plagues follow 9Another angel puts incense to the prayers of the saints on the golden altar
Greek Commentary for Revelation 8:5
Taketh [ειληπεν] Vivid dramatic perfect active indicative of λαμβανω lambanō as in Revelation 5:7, “has taken.” The angel had apparently ]aid aside the censer. Hardly merely the pleonastic use of λαμβανω lambanō (John 19:23). John pictures the scene for us. [source]
Filled [εγεμισεν] He drops back to the narrative use of the first aorist active indicative of γεμιζω gemizō the fire Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω ballō See Genesis 19:24 (Sodom); Ezekiel 10:2 and Christ‘s bold metaphor in Luke 12:49. See this use of βαλλω ballō also in Revelation 8:7; Revelation 12:4,Revelation 12:9,Revelation 12:13; Revelation 14:19.Followed Came to pass naturally after the casting of fire on the earth. Same three elements in Revelation 4:5, but in different order (lightnings, voices, thunders), lightning naturally preceding thunder as some MSS. have it here. Perhaps πωναι phōnai the voices of the storm (wind, etc.). [source]
Followed [εγενοντο] Came to pass naturally after the casting of fire on the earth. Same three elements in Revelation 4:5, but in different order (lightnings, voices, thunders), lightning naturally preceding thunder as some MSS. have it here. Perhaps πωναι phōnai the voices of the storm (wind, etc.). [source]
Took [εἴληφεν] Lit., hath taken. So Rev., in margin. [source]
With the fire [ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς] Lit., “from or out off the fire,” i.e., the coals or hot ashes. For ἐκ outoff see on Revelation 2:7. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 8:5
Revelation 10:3The seven thunders [αι επτα βρονται] A recognized group, but not explained here, perhaps John assuming them to be known. For βρονται brontai see note on Revelation 4:5; and note on Revelation 6:1; and note on Revelation 8:5. In Psalm 29:1-11 the Lord speaks in the sevenfold voice of the thunderstorm upon the sea. [source]
Revelation 11:17Thou hast taken [ειληπες] Perfect active indicative of λαμβανω lambanō emphasizing the permanence of God‘s rule, “Thou hast assumed thy power.”Didst reign (εβασιλευσας ebasileusas). Ingressive first aorist active indicative of βασιλευω basileuō “Didst begin to reign.” See this combination of tenses (perfect and aorist) without confusion in Revelation 3:3; Revelation 5:7; Revelation 8:5. [source]
Revelation 14:18Out from the altar [εκ του τυσιαστηριου] From the altar of incense where he is in charge of the fire If it is the altar of burnt offering (Revelation 6:9; Revelation 11:1), we are reminded of the blood of the martyrs (Swete), but if the altar of incense (Revelation 8:3,Revelation 8:5; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 16:7), then of the prayers of the saints.The sharp sickle (το δρεπανον το οχυ to drepanon to oxu). Useful for vintage as for harvesting. So “send forth” (πεμπσον pempson) as in Revelation 14:15.Gather First aorist active imperative of τρυγαω trugaō old verb (from τρυγη trugē dryness, ripeness), in N.T. only Revelation 14:18. and Luke 6:44.The clusters (τους βοτρυας tous botruas). Old word βοτρυς botrus here only in N.T. (Genesis 40:10).Her grapes Old word again for grapes, bunch of grapes, in N.T. only here, Matthew 7:16; Luke 6:44.Are fully ripe (ηκμασαν ēkmasan). Old and common verb (from ακμη akmē Matthew 15:16), to come to maturity, to reach its acme, here only in N.T. [source]
Revelation 4:5Proceed [εκπορευονται] Graphic historical present.Lightnings and voices and thunders (αστραπαι και πωναι και βρονται astrapai kai phōnai kai brontai). So exactly in Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18, but in Revelation 8:5 with βρονται brontai first, αστραπαι astrapai last, all old and common words. “The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power: cf., e.g., 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 18:9.; Job 37:4.” (Swete).Seven lamps of fire Return to the nominative “These torches blaze perpetually before the throne of God” (Swete). [source]
Revelation 5:8He had taken [ελαβεν] Here John drops back to the narrative tense (the second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω lambanō), not the past perfect as the English rendering might indicate, merely “when he took.” For like vivid variation (not confusion) of tenses with ειληπεν eilēphen see Revelation 3:3; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:17 and with ειρηκα eirēka in Revelation 7:13.; Revelation 19:3. [source]
Revelation 6:12There was a great earthquake [σεισμος μεγας εγενετο] “There came a great earthquake.” Jesus spoke of earthquakes in his great eschatological discourse (Mark 13:8). In Matthew 24:29 the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Σεισμος Seismos is from σειω seiō to shake, and occurs also in Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:13,Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18. The reference is not a local earthquake like those so common in Asia Minor. [source]
What do the individual words in Revelation 8:5 mean?
Andtooktheangelthecenserfilleditfromthefireof thealtarcast [it]totheearththere werethundersrumblingsflashes of lightningan earthquake
Greek Commentary for Revelation 8:5
Vivid dramatic perfect active indicative of λαμβανω lambanō as in Revelation 5:7, “has taken.” The angel had apparently ]aid aside the censer. Hardly merely the pleonastic use of λαμβανω lambanō (John 19:23). John pictures the scene for us. [source]
He drops back to the narrative use of the first aorist active indicative of γεμιζω gemizō the fire Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω ballō See Genesis 19:24 (Sodom); Ezekiel 10:2 and Christ‘s bold metaphor in Luke 12:49. See this use of βαλλω ballō also in Revelation 8:7; Revelation 12:4, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 12:13; Revelation 14:19.Followed Came to pass naturally after the casting of fire on the earth. Same three elements in Revelation 4:5, but in different order (lightnings, voices, thunders), lightning naturally preceding thunder as some MSS. have it here. Perhaps πωναι phōnai the voices of the storm (wind, etc.). [source]
Second aorist active indicative of βαλλω ballō See Genesis 19:24 (Sodom); Ezekiel 10:2 and Christ‘s bold metaphor in Luke 12:49. See this use of βαλλω ballō also in Revelation 8:7; Revelation 12:4, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 12:13; Revelation 14:19. [source]
Came to pass naturally after the casting of fire on the earth. Same three elements in Revelation 4:5, but in different order (lightnings, voices, thunders), lightning naturally preceding thunder as some MSS. have it here. Perhaps πωναι phōnai the voices of the storm (wind, etc.). [source]
Lit., hath taken. So Rev., in margin. [source]
Lit., “from or out off the fire,” i.e., the coals or hot ashes. For ἐκ outoff see on Revelation 2:7. [source]
See Ezekiel 10:2; Luke 12:49. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 8:5
A recognized group, but not explained here, perhaps John assuming them to be known. For βρονται brontai see note on Revelation 4:5; and note on Revelation 6:1; and note on Revelation 8:5. In Psalm 29:1-11 the Lord speaks in the sevenfold voice of the thunderstorm upon the sea. [source]
Perfect active indicative of λαμβανω lambanō emphasizing the permanence of God‘s rule, “Thou hast assumed thy power.”Didst reign (εβασιλευσας ebasileusas). Ingressive first aorist active indicative of βασιλευω basileuō “Didst begin to reign.” See this combination of tenses (perfect and aorist) without confusion in Revelation 3:3; Revelation 5:7; Revelation 8:5. [source]
Ingressive first aorist active indicative of βασιλευω basileuō “Didst begin to reign.” See this combination of tenses (perfect and aorist) without confusion in Revelation 3:3; Revelation 5:7; Revelation 8:5. [source]
First aorist passive indicative of οραω horaō ark of his covenant The sacred ark within the second veil of the tabernacle (Hebrews 9:4) and in the inner chamber of Solomon‘s temple (1 Kings 8:6) which probably perished when Nebuchadrezzar burnt the temple (2 Kings 25:9; Jeremiah 3:16). For the symbols of majesty and power in nature here see also Revelation 6:12; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:13; Revelation 16:18, Revelation 16:21. [source]
From the altar of incense where he is in charge of the fire If it is the altar of burnt offering (Revelation 6:9; Revelation 11:1), we are reminded of the blood of the martyrs (Swete), but if the altar of incense (Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:5; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 16:7), then of the prayers of the saints.The sharp sickle (το δρεπανον το οχυ to drepanon to oxu). Useful for vintage as for harvesting. So “send forth” (πεμπσον pempson) as in Revelation 14:15.Gather First aorist active imperative of τρυγαω trugaō old verb (from τρυγη trugē dryness, ripeness), in N.T. only Revelation 14:18. and Luke 6:44.The clusters (τους βοτρυας tous botruas). Old word βοτρυς botrus here only in N.T. (Genesis 40:10).Her grapes Old word again for grapes, bunch of grapes, in N.T. only here, Matthew 7:16; Luke 6:44.Are fully ripe (ηκμασαν ēkmasan). Old and common verb (from ακμη akmē Matthew 15:16), to come to maturity, to reach its acme, here only in N.T. [source]
“And there came” (same verb σεισμος μεγας ginomai). See Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:19 for this list of terrible sounds and lightnings, and for the great earthquake (οιος ουκ εγενετο seismos megas) see Revelation 6:12; Revelation 11:13 (cf. Luke 21:11). [source]
Graphic historical present.Lightnings and voices and thunders (αστραπαι και πωναι και βρονται astrapai kai phōnai kai brontai). So exactly in Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18, but in Revelation 8:5 with βρονται brontai first, αστραπαι astrapai last, all old and common words. “The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power: cf., e.g., 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 18:9.; Job 37:4.” (Swete).Seven lamps of fire Return to the nominative “These torches blaze perpetually before the throne of God” (Swete). [source]
So exactly in Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18, but in Revelation 8:5 with βρονται brontai first, αστραπαι astrapai last, all old and common words. “The thunderstorm is in Hebrew poetry a familiar symbol of the Divine power: cf., e.g., 1 Samuel 2:10; Psalm 18:9.; Job 37:4.” (Swete). [source]
Here John drops back to the narrative tense (the second aorist active indicative of λαμβανω lambanō), not the past perfect as the English rendering might indicate, merely “when he took.” For like vivid variation (not confusion) of tenses with ειληπεν eilēphen see Revelation 3:3; Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:17 and with ειρηκα eirēka in Revelation 7:13.; Revelation 19:3. [source]
“Under” The altar of sacrifice (Exodus 39:39; Exodus 40:29), not of incense. The imagery, as in Hebrews, is from the tabernacle. For the word see Matthew 5:23., often in Rev (Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:5; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 14:18; Revelation 16:7). This altar in heaven is symbolic, of course, the antitype for the tabernacle altar (Hebrews 8:5). The Lamb was slain (Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12) and these martyrs have followed the example of their Lord. [source]
“There came a great earthquake.” Jesus spoke of earthquakes in his great eschatological discourse (Mark 13:8). In Matthew 24:29 the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Σεισμος Seismos is from σειω seiō to shake, and occurs also in Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:13, Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18. The reference is not a local earthquake like those so common in Asia Minor. [source]