Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Another angel (allov aggelov). Not one of the seven of verse Revelation 8:2 and before they began to sound the trumpets. This preliminary incident of the offering of incense on the altar covers verses Revelation 8:3-6.
Stood (estaqh). Ingressive first aorist passive of isthmi (intransitive), "took his place."
Over the altar (epi tou qusiasthriou). See Revelation 6:9 for the word for the burnt-offering, here apparently the altar of incense (clearly so in Luke 1:11; possibly also Revelation 9:13), but it is not clear that in apocalyptic the distinction between the two altars of the tabernacle and temple is preserved. Aleph C Q have the genitive, while A P have the accusative epi to qusiasthrion.
A golden censer (libanwton xrusoun). Old word for frankincense (from libanov, Matthew 2:11; Revelation 18:13), but here alone in N.T. and for censer, as is plain by the use of xrusoun (golden) with it. Cf. I Kings 7:50.
Much incense (qumiamata polla). See Revelation 5:8 for qumiama (the aromatic substance burnt, also in Revelation 18:13), but here for the live coals on which the incense falls.
That he should add (ina dwsei). Sub-final clause (subject of edoqh, was given, singular because qumiamata neuter plural) with ina and the future active indicative of didwmi, to give, instead of dw, the second aorist subjunctive.
Unto the prayers (taiv proseuxaiv). Dative case. In 5:18 the qumiamata are the prayers.
Upon the golden altar (epi to qusiasthrion to xrusoun to). Accusative case here, not genitive as above, and apparently the altar of incense as indicated by the word golden (Exodus 30:1 ff.; Leviticus 4:17). Note triple article here to (once before the substantive, once before the adjective, once before the adjunct "the one before the throne").
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 8:3:
Revelation 6:9
Revelation 7:1
Revelation 8:3
Revelation 8:4
Revelation 9:4
Revelation 9:5
Revelation 9:13
Revelation 11:1
Revelation 13:1
Revelation 14:6
Revelation 14:18
Revelation 18:13
Revelation 21:15
Revelation 22:21
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