Rev 8:3 ...hINA DWSEI *TAIS* *PROSEUCAIS* TWN hAGIWN PANTWN EPI TO
QUSIASTHRION TO CRUSOUN TO ENWPION TOU QRONOU (4) KAI ANEBH hO KAPNOS TWN
QUMIAMATWN *TAIS* *PROSEUCAIS* TWN hAGIWN EK CEIROS TOU AGGELOU ENOPION TOU
QEOU.
Here is the context: this angel is standing before the altar with a golden
censor, and he is given a lot of frankincense. Now our text tells us *why*
he was given the frankincense.
Some translations say that DWSEI TAIS PROSEUCAIS TWN hAGIWN PANTWN in verse
three means "so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints" on
the golden altar before the throne. Another translation says "so that he
might offer it with the prayers of all the saints" on the golden altar
before the throne. But doesn't TAIS PROSEUCAIS merely indicate what is being
offered on the altar, using the dative to mark the indirect object? Wouldn't
it be better to say "so that he might offer the prayers of all the saints"
on the golden altar before the throne? Where do these other translations
come from? And how exactly is TAIS PROSEUCAIS used in verse four?
Am I missing something obvious?
Jonathan
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Jonathan Robie jwrobie@mindspring.com http://www.mindspring.com/~jwrobie
POET Software, 3207 Gibson Road, Durham, N.C., 27703 http://www.poet.com
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