Revelation 5:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The living creatures and elders fall down before the Lamb, holding harps and golden bowls of incense that are the prayers of the saints.
What Does Revelation 5:8 Mean?
The moment the Lamb takes the scroll, heaven responds in worship. The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall down before Him, each holding a harp for praise and a golden bowl filled with incense. John pauses to tell us what the fragrant incense is: the prayers of the saints.
This is a comforting picture. The prayers of God's people are not lost or forgotten. They rise like sweet incense and are gathered in golden bowls before the throne, held in honor in the presence of the Lamb. Every cry for help, every whispered hope, is treasured up in heaven and brought near to the One now worthy to act.
Revelation 5:8 in the Original Language
proseuche (προσευχή), 'prayers' -- prayer directed to God, here treasured as fragrant incense before the throne.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 5:8
What does Revelation 5:8 mean?
The living creatures and elders fall down before the Lamb, holding harps and golden bowls of incense that are the prayers of the saints.