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. (Revelation 5:8)
Gr. phialai, “bowls,” or “saucers,” the dishes in which offerings were commonly presented. According to Josephus, phialai of incense were placed on the showbread in the sanctuary (Antiquities iii. 6. 6 [143]). That the prayers of the saints are contained in golden receptacles may indicate the preciousness with which heaven regards them.
Odours.
That is, incense.
Prayers of saints.
Their possession of “harps” and of incense dishes representing the prayers of saints suggests that the elders represent Christ’s triumphant church on earth, lifting its voice in song and prayer. See on vs. 9, 10; see PP 353.
Harps.
Gr. kitharai, “lyres,” instruments often used to accompany singing (see Vol. III, pp. 34-36), not harps. However, textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the reading kithara, “a lyre”; that is, each elder held a lyre in his hand. Mention here of these instruments is natural, in connection with the hymn that is about to be sung (vs. 9, 10).