Word Studies¶
naos (G3485) — Temple/Inner Shrine¶
Original: ναός Transliteration: naos Definition: A fane, shrine, temple; from a primary verb naio (to dwell). The inner part of the temple itself, the holy place and the holy of holies. Distinguished from hieron (G2411) which includes the entire temple complex with courts. BLB Count: 46
Translations¶
- 35x "temple", 4x "the temple", 2x "temples", 1x "shrines"
Revelation Occurrences (12 total — John NEVER uses hieron)¶
- Rev 3:12 — "a pillar in the temple of my God"
- Rev 7:15 — "serve him day and night in his temple"
- Rev 11:1 — "Rise, and measure the temple of God"
- Rev 11:2 — "the court which is without the temple"
- Rev 11:19 — "the temple of God was opened in heaven"
- Rev 14:15 — "another angel came out of the temple"
- Rev 14:17 — "another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven"
- Rev 15:5 — "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony"
- Rev 15:8 — "the temple was filled with smoke... no man was able to enter into the temple"
- Rev 16:1 — "a great voice out of the temple"
- Rev 16:17 — "a great voice out of the temple of heaven"
- Rev 21:22 — "I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it"
Significance¶
John's exclusive use of naos (inner shrine) rather than hieron (temple complex) means every heavenly sanctuary reference points to the innermost divine dwelling. When Rev 15:8 says the naos was filled and no one could enter the naos, this concerns the most sacred space.
skene (G4633) — Tabernacle/Tent¶
Original: σκηνή Transliteration: skene Definition: A tent or cloth hut; used of the tabernacle of Moses, and metaphorically of the heavenly sanctuary. BLB Count: 20
Key Occurrences¶
- Acts 7:43-44 — "tabernacle of Moloch" / "tabernacle of witness"
- Heb 8:2 — "the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched"
- Heb 9:2-11 — extensive use for earthly tabernacle and the "greater and more perfect tabernacle"
- Rev 13:6 — "to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle"
- Rev 15:5 — "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony"
- Rev 21:3 — "the tabernacle of God is with men"
Significance¶
In Rev 15:5, skene is layered between naos and martyrion in the triple-genitive construction, connecting the inner shrine (naos) with the law/testimony (martyrion) through the tabernacle concept.
martyrion (G3142) — Testimony/Witness¶
Original: μαρτύριον Transliteration: martyrion Definition: Something evidential; testimony, witness. Neuter noun. BLB Count: 20
Key Occurrences¶
- Acts 7:44 — "the tabernacle of witness (tou martyriou)" — Stephen's speech
- Rev 15:5 — "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony (tou martyriou)"
- LXX occurrences: Exo 38:26; Lev 24:3; Num 12:7
Hebrew Equivalent: edut (H5715)¶
- "ark of the testimony" — aron ha-edut (Exo 25:22)
- "tables of the testimony" — luchot ha-edut (Exo 31:18)
- "tabernacle of the testimony" — mishkan ha-edut (Exo 38:21)
- "tent of the testimony" — ohel ha-edut (Num 17:7-8)
- Lev 16:13: incense cloud covers the mercy seat "that is upon the testimony" (al ha-edut)
Significance¶
The testimony = the law (Decalogue) housed in the ark. By naming the heavenly temple "of the testimony," Rev 15:5 establishes that judgment proceeds from the divine law standard. The DOA ritual was performed "upon the testimony" (Lev 16:13) — the ark containing the law was the site of atonement.
kapnos (G2586) — Smoke¶
Original: καπνός Transliteration: kapnos Definition: Smoke. Of uncertain affinity. BLB Count: 13
ALL 13 Occurrences (12 in Revelation, 1 in Acts)¶
| Reference | Context | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 2:19 | "vapour of smoke" (Joel 2:30 quotation) | End-time sign |
| Rev 8:4 | "smoke of the incense... ascended up before God" | SACRED — prayer-bearing |
| Rev 9:2 | "smoke out of the pit" | JUDGMENT — destructive |
| Rev 9:3 | "out of the smoke came locusts" | JUDGMENT — destructive |
| Rev 9:17 | "out of their mouths issued fire and smoke" | JUDGMENT — destructive |
| Rev 9:18 | "by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone" | JUDGMENT — destructive |
| Rev 14:11 | "the smoke of their torment ascendeth up" | JUDGMENT — eternal |
| Rev 15:8 | "filled with smoke from the glory of God" | THEOPHANIC — from God himself |
| Rev 18:9 | "see the smoke of her burning" | JUDGMENT — Babylon |
| Rev 18:18 | "saw the smoke of her burning" | JUDGMENT — Babylon |
| Rev 19:3 | "her smoke rose up for ever and ever" | JUDGMENT — Babylon |
Hebrew Vocabulary Comparison¶
- anan (H6051) — cloud: Used in Exo 40:34 (cloud covered the tabernacle), Lev 16:2 ("I will appear in the cloud"), Lev 16:13 ("cloud of the incense"). Theophanic/Shekinah term.
- ashan (H6227) — smoke: Used in Isa 6:4 ("the house was filled with smoke"). Smoke from burning.
- The LXX translates ashan with kapnos, establishing the bridge: Rev 15:8's kapnos aligns with Isa 6:4's ashan, NOT with Exo 40:34's anan.
Significance¶
Rev 15:8 is UNIQUE among all kapnos occurrences: the smoke comes FROM (ek) God's glory and power. It is theophanic in source (divine, not destructive) but functions in a judgment context. It bridges sacred and judgment categories.
doxa (G1391) — Glory¶
Original: δόξα Transliteration: doxa Definition: Glory, splendor; from the base of dokeo. Very wide application: of God, of Christ, of human honor. BLB Count: 168
Revelation Occurrences (18 total)¶
Doxological (ascribed TO God): 1:6; 4:9,11; 5:12,13; 7:12; 19:1,7 As effect/manifestation: 11:13; 14:7; 16:9; 18:1; 21:11,23,24,26 As physical SOURCE: 15:8 — smoke FROM the glory — UNIQUE
LXX Bridge¶
The LXX consistently translates Hebrew kabod (H3519, "glory of the LORD") with doxa. This creates the direct link between OT glory-filling passages (Exo 40:34, 1Ki 8:11, 2Chr 5:14, 7:1-3) and Rev 15:8.
Significance¶
In doxologies, glory is ASCRIBED to God by worshipers. In Rev 15:8, glory becomes the SOURCE of a physical phenomenon (smoke). Attributes praised in worship become events experienced in judgment.
dynamis (G1411) — Power¶
Original: δύναμις Transliteration: dynamis Definition: Force, power, might; miraculous power, ability. BLB Count: 120
Revelation Occurrences (12 total)¶
Doxological: 4:11; 5:12; 7:12; 19:1 Sovereign authority: 1:16; 3:8; 11:17; 12:10; 13:2; 17:13; 18:3 As physical SOURCE: 15:8 — smoke from his power — UNIQUE pairing with doxa
doxa + dynamis Co-occurrences in Revelation¶
| Reference | Usage | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 4:11 | "glory and honour and power" | Ascribed TO God |
| Rev 5:12 | "power... and glory" | Ascribed TO Lamb |
| Rev 7:12 | "glory... and power" | Ascribed TO God |
| Rev 19:1 | "glory and honour and power" | Ascribed TO God |
| Rev 15:8 | "from the glory... from his power" | SOURCE of phenomenon |
Significance¶
No OT glory-filling passage pairs glory with power as a dual source. This is a uniquely Johannine addition suggesting the FULL manifestation of God's being — not merely visual splendor (glory) but active sovereign force (power).
phiale (G5357) — Bowl/Vial¶
Original: φιάλη Transliteration: phiale Definition: A broad shallow cup; a bowl or basin. BLB Count: 12 — ALL in Revelation
ALL 12 Occurrences¶
| Reference | Content/Context |
|---|---|
| Rev 5:8 | golden bowls full of incense = prayers of saints |
| Rev 15:7 | golden bowls full of the wrath of God |
| Rev 16:1 | pour out the bowls of the wrath of God |
| Rev 16:2 | first bowl — sores on beast-worshipers |
| Rev 16:3 | second bowl — sea becomes blood |
| Rev 16:4 | third bowl — rivers become blood |
| Rev 16:8 | fourth bowl — scorching sun |
| Rev 16:10 | fifth bowl — darkness on beast's throne |
| Rev 16:12 | sixth bowl — Euphrates dried |
| Rev 16:17 | seventh bowl — "It is done" |
| Rev 17:1 | angel "which had the seven bowls" |
| Rev 21:9 | angel "which had the seven bowls" |
Vessel Transformation (SP053/SP119)¶
- Rev 5:8: φιάλας χρυσᾶς γεμούσας θυμιαμάτων (bowls golden full of-incense)
- Rev 15:7: φιάλας χρυσᾶς γεμούσας τοῦ θυμοῦ (bowls golden full of-wrath)
- IDENTICAL grammatical construction; only the contents change.
thymos (G2372) — Wrath/Fury¶
Original: θυμός Transliteration: thymos Definition: Passion, hot anger, fury; from thyo (to burn/sacrifice). BLB Count: 18
ALL 10 Revelation Occurrences (thymos wrath chain)¶
| Reference | Usage |
|---|---|
| Rev 12:12 | "the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath (thymon)" |
| Rev 14:8 | "wine of the wrath (thymou) of her fornication" |
| Rev 14:10 | "wine of the wrath (thymou) of God" |
| Rev 14:19 | "great winepress of the wrath (thymou) of God" |
| Rev 15:1 | "in them is filled up the wrath (thymos) of God" |
| Rev 15:7 | "golden bowls full of the wrath (thymou) of God" |
| Rev 16:1 | "pour out the bowls of the wrath (thymou) of God" |
| Rev 16:19 | "cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath (thymou)" |
| Rev 18:3 | "wine of the wrath (thymou) of her fornication" |
| Rev 19:15 | "the fierceness and wrath (thymou) of Almighty God" |
Phonetic Connection to thymiama (G2368)¶
Both derive from thyo (G2380, "to burn/sacrifice"). The phonetic shift from thymiamaton (incense/prayers, Rev 5:8) to thymou (wrath, Rev 15:7) in the identical bowl construction may be deliberate wordplay: prayer-incense becomes wrath-fury.
thymiama (G2368) — Incense/Odor¶
Original: θυμίαμα Transliteration: thymiama Definition: An aroma, fragrant powder burnt in religious service; incense. BLB Count: 6
ALL 6 Occurrences¶
| Reference | Usage |
|---|---|
| Luk 1:10 | "the whole multitude... praying without at the time of incense" |
| Luk 1:11 | "standing on the right side of the altar of incense" |
| Rev 5:8 | "golden bowls full of incense (thymiamaton), which are the prayers of saints" |
| Rev 8:3 | "there was given unto him much incense (thymiamata)" |
| Rev 18:13 | "incense (thymiamata)" — listed in Babylon's merchandise (2x) |
enkainizo (G1457) — Inaugurate/Dedicate¶
Original: ἐγκαινίζω Transliteration: enkainizo Definition: To renew, inaugurate, dedicate, consecrate. BLB Count: 2 — ONLY in Hebrews
ALL NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Form | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Heb 9:18 | ἐγκεκαίνισται (perfect passive) | "was dedicated" |
| Heb 10:20 | ἐνεκαίνισεν (aorist active) | "he hath consecrated" |
LXX Usage¶
- Deu 20:5 — dedicating a new house
- 1Sa 11:14 — renewing the kingdom
- 1Ki 8:63 — dedicating Solomon's temple
- 2Chr 15:8 — renewing the altar
CRITICAL ABSENCE from Revelation¶
If Rev 15:8 depicted an inauguration, enkainizo was available — the only dedicated NT inauguration verb — but John did NOT use it. Revelation is steeped in sanctuary terminology (naos 16x, altar, ark, censer, bowls) yet never employs the inauguration verb. Instead, Rev 15 uses judgment vocabulary throughout: plege (plague), thymos (wrath), teleo (completed). This absence is itself strong evidence against an inauguration reading.
teleo (G5055) — Complete/Fulfill/Finish¶
Original: τελέω Transliteration: teleo Definition: To end, complete, execute, conclude, discharge. BLB Count: 26
ALL Revelation Occurrences¶
| Reference | Form | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 10:7 | τελεσθῇ (aor pass subj) | "should be finished" |
| Rev 11:7 | τελέσωσιν (aor act subj) | "shall have finished" |
| Rev 15:1 | ἐτελέσθη (aor pass ind) | "is filled up/completed" |
| Rev 15:8 | τελεσθῶσιν (aor pass subj) | "were fulfilled/completed" |
| Rev 17:17 | τελεσθῇ (aor pass subj) | "shall be fulfilled" |
| Rev 20:3 | τελεσθῇ (aor pass subj) | "should be fulfilled" |
| Rev 20:5 | τελεσθῇ (aor pass subj) | "were finished" |
| Rev 20:7 | τελεσθῇ (aor pass subj) | "are expired" |
Temporal Bracket: Rev 15:1,8 → Rev 16:17¶
- Rev 15:1: ἐτελέσθη ὁ θυμός (wrath was completed) — proleptic statement
- Rev 15:8: ἄχρι τελεσθῶσιν (until they should be completed) — temporal limit
- Rev 16:17: Γέγονεν ("It is done" — perfect of ginomai, not teleo) — fulfillment
Comparison with Jhn 19:30¶
- Jhn 19:30: τετέλεσται (teleo, perfect passive) — "It is finished" (Christ's sacrifice)
- Rev 16:17: γέγονεν (ginomai, perfect) — "It is done" (bowl judgments complete)
- Different verbs at the cross vs. at the seventh bowl — the events are related but distinct.
gemizo (G1072) — Fill Entirely¶
Original: γεμίζω Transliteration: gemizo Definition: To fill entirely; transitive from gemo. BLB Count: 9
Critical Voice Shift¶
| Reference | Form | Voice | Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rev 8:5 | ἐγέμισεν | ACTIVE | Angel fills the censer |
| Rev 15:8 | ἐγεμίσθη | PASSIVE | Temple was filled (by God) |
Active = human-mediated (angel as agent); Passive = divine-sourced (God as implied agent). This voice shift tracks the transition from intercession (human mediation) to judgment (divine action alone).
edut (H5715) — Testimony¶
Original: עֵדוּת Transliteration: edut Definition: Testimony, witness; feminine noun. BLB Count: 59
Key OT Phrases¶
- "ark of the testimony" — aron ha-edut (Exo 25:22; 26:33,34)
- "tables of the testimony" — luchot ha-edut (Exo 31:18; 32:15; 34:29)
- "tabernacle of the testimony" — mishkan ha-edut (Exo 38:21)
- "tent of the testimony" — ohel ha-edut (Num 17:7-8)
- Lev 16:13 — the mercy seat "upon the testimony" (al ha-edut)
- 2Ch 24:6 — "tabernacle of witness"
Greek Equivalent¶
martyrion (G3142) — used in Acts 7:44 ("tabernacle of witness") and Rev 15:5 ("temple of the tabernacle of the testimony"). The LXX translates edut as martyrion consistently.
kabod (H3519) — Glory/Weight¶
Original: כָּבוֹד Transliteration: kabod Definition: Properly weight; figuratively splendor, glory, honor. BLB Count: 200
Glory-Filling Passages¶
| Reference | Hebrew | Greek (LXX) |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 40:34 | kebod YHWH male et hamishkan | doxa kyriou |
| Exo 40:35 | kebod YHWH male et hamishkan | doxa kyriou |
| 1Ki 8:11 | kebod YHWH male et beit YHWH | doxa kyriou |
| 2Chr 5:14 | kebod YHWH male et beit ha-elohim | doxa kyriou |
| 2Chr 7:1 | kebod YHWH male et habayit | doxa kyriou |
| 2Chr 7:2 | kebod YHWH male et beit YHWH | doxa kyriou |
Significance¶
The LXX's consistent translation of kabod as doxa creates the direct linguistic bridge to Rev 15:8's "smoke from the doxa of God." When John writes doxa, every reader of the LXX would hear the OT glory-filling tradition.
H3722 kaphar — Atone/Cover (Context: Lev 16)¶
The Piel infinitive construct lekhapper appears in Lev 16:17 — "when he goeth in to make an atonement (lekhapper) in the holy place." The verb appears 16 times in Leviticus 16 alone, structuring the entire DOA ritual around atonement. Hebrew parsing of Lev 16:17 confirms this is the purpose clause: the exclusion exists BECAUSE atonement is being performed.
H3727 kapporeth — Mercy Seat (Context: Lev 16:2,13)¶
The mercy seat (kapporeth) appears in Lev 16:2 ("before the mercy seat which is upon the ark") and 16:13 ("the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony"). Derived from the same root as kaphar — the mercy seat is the place of atonement/covering.