Greek word · G3031

λιβανωτός

libanōtos

censer

In classical and everyday Greek, 'frankincense', the resin itself (from λίβανος, the frankincense tree and its gum). In Revelation 8:3, 5 it clearly means the container: a censer or firepan holding coals onto which incense is placed.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 23, 2026

What it means

λιβανωτός, -οῦ, ὁ

(λίβανος), [in LXX: 1 Chronicles 9:29, 3Ma.5:2 * ;]

1. in cl. (and LXX), frankincense, the gum of the libanus.

2. = Late Gk., λιβανωτρίς, a censer: Revelation 8:3, 5 (the same form appears in Inscr.; MM, xvi).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 8:3

Range of meaning: In classical and everyday Greek, 'frankincense', the resin itself (from λίβανος, the frankincense tree and its gum). In Revelation 8:3, 5 it clearly means the container: a censer or firepan holding coals onto which incense is placed. The angel 'fills' it with fire from the altar and throws it to the earth (8:5).
Against the English: 'Censer' is correct. Many readers, though, picture the swinging thurible on chains used in Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican worship. The temple implement was a firepan or shovel-shaped pan (Hebrew maḥtah), carried in the hand.
How it drifted: The swinging thurible is a later development in church worship, and later art has shaped how the scene is imagined.
Used elsewhere in the period: LSJ and BDAG list the ordinary meaning 'frankincense' (e.g. 1 Chr 9:29 LXX). BDAG notes the unusual sense 'censer' in Rev 8:3, 5. Other Greek words for the vessel are πυρεῖον ('firepan', Lev 16:12 LXX) and θυμιατήριον (Heb 9:4). Mishnah Yoma 4:4 says the Day of Atonement firepan was of gold, and Mishnah Tamid 5:5; 6:2–3 describes the daily rite with a firepan of coals and a separate dish of incense.

From the study of Revelation 8:5

Range of meaning: In ordinary Greek, 'frankincense', the aromatic resin itself (from libanos, the frankincense tree). The normal Greek words for the vessel were libanōtris or thymiatērion.
Against the English: Every major English version says 'censer'. That is the right meaning from context, but it hides the fact that John uses an odd word. Modern readers may also picture a swinging church thurible on chains. The Temple vessel was a hand-held fire-pan (Hebrew machtah) for carrying coals.
How it drifted: The 'swinging censer' picture comes from later church liturgy, not from Temple practice.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the Greek Old Testament (LXX) and classical writers, libanōtos means frankincense (e.g. 1 Chr 9:29 LXX). BDAG notes that the meaning 'censer' is attested only in Rev 8:3, 5. Lev 16:12 describes the high priest filling a fire-pan with coals from the altar.

Similar words

λίβανος libanos · frankincense

Where it appears

Revelation · 2

Revelation 8:3 λιβανωτὸν a censer

Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.

Here: In ordinary Greek this word meant frankincense itself. Here, and in 8:5, it plainly names the vessel for carrying burning coals and incense: a firepan or censer.
Revelation 8:5 λιβανωτὸν censer

Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

Here: Normally this Greek word means frankincense itself. Here, and only here in surviving usage (8:3, 5), it means the vessel for incense and coals: a fire-pan or censer.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.