cup Summary and Overview

a wine-cup (Gen. 40:11, 21), various forms of which are found on Assyrian and Egyptian monuments. All Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold (1 Kings 10: 21). The cups mentioned in the New Testament were made after Roman and Greek models, and were sometimes of gold (Rev. 17:4). The art of divining by means of a cup was practiced in Egypt (Gen. 44:2-17), and in the East generally. The "cup of salvation" (Ps. 116:13) is the cup of thanksgiving for the great salvation. The "cup of consolation" (Jer. 16:7) refers to the custom of friends sending viands and wine to console relatives in mourning (Prov. 31:6). In 1 Cor. 10:16, the "cup of blessing" is contrasted with the "cup of devils" (1 Cor. 10:21). The sacramental cup is the "cup of blessing," because of blessing pronounced over it (Matt. 26:27; Luke 22:17). The "portion of the cup" (Ps. 11:6; 16:5) denotes one's condition of life, prosperous or adverse. A "cup" is also a type of sensual allurement (Jer. 51:7; Prov. 23:31; Rev. 17:4). We read also of the "cup of astonishment," the "cup of trembling," and the "cup of God's wrath" (Ps. 75:8; Isa. 51:17; Jer. 25:15; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 23:32; Rev. 16:19; compare Matt. 26:39, 42; John 18:11). The cup is also the symbol of death (Matt. 16:28; Mark 9:1; Heb. 2:9).

The cups of the Jews, whether of metal or earthenware, were possibly borrowed, in point of shape and design, from Egypt and from the Phoenicians, who were celebrated in that branch of workmanship. Egyptian cups were of various shapes, either with handles or without them. In Solomon's time all his drinking vessels were of gold, none of silver. #1Ki 10:21| Babylon is compared to a golden cup. #Jer 51:7| The great laver, or "sea," was made with a rim like the rim of a cup (cos), with flowers of lilies," #1Ki 7:26| a form which the Persepolitan cups resemble. The cups of the New Testament were often no doubt formed on Greek and Roman models. They were sometimes of gold. #Re 17:4|

CUP . 1 Kgs 7:26. The horns of animals were anciently used by some nations as drinking-vessels, but the Jews had cups and goblets at a very early period, Gen 44:2, though they used horns for anointing-oil. 1 Sam 16:13. Some of their cups were highly ornamented, 1 Kgs 7:26, and in shape were probably not unlike those now used for culinary purposes by the Egyptians. Cups of this kind, made of gold, silver, copper, etc., according to the owner's wealth, are in use in Persia at this day. Assyrian King and Cup-bearer. The figurative use of this word in the Scriptures is frequent. Generally, however , it represents the blessings or the judgments of Heaven, or the allotments of God's providence. Ps 23:5; Ps 75:8; Ps 116:13; Isa 51:17-22. Comp. Jer 25:15 and Jer 51:7 with Rev 14:10 and Rev 16:10. The sufferings of our Saviour are also represented bv a similar figure. Matt 20:22 and Matt 26:39.

Genesis 40:11, for drinking; Genesis 44:5, for divination, practiced by dropping gold, silver, or jewels into the water, and examining their appearance; or looking into the water as a mirror. The sacred cup symbolized the Nile (which was "the cup of Egypt," Pliny H. N., 8:71) into which a golden and silver goblet was yearly thrown. Joseph's cup was of silver; the Egyptians ordinarily drank from vessels of brass. Joseph's preserving his disguise by language adapted to his supposed character before his brethren, "Wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?" is inconsistent with his disclaiming all knowledge except what God revealed (Genesis 41:16), but was the act of a good but erring man. Scripture does not sanction it. One alone there was in whose mouth was found no guile (1 Peter 2:22). Solomon and the Assyrians probably derived their art mainly from Phoenicia. Assyrian cups from Khorsabad resemble the heads of animals, some terminating in the head of a lion. In Matthew 26:7 an "alabaster vase" for ointment is meant, broad at the base, tapering to the neck, with little projections at the sides; such as are in the British Museum. Glass was a material for cups, and a glass bead bearing a Pharaoh's name of the 18th dynasty has been found, i.e. 3,200 years ago. Alabastron, a town in Upper Egypt, had quarries of alabaster near, from whence the name is derived. Figuratively, one's portion (Psalm 11:6; Psalm 16:5; Psalm 23:5). Babylon was called a golden cup (Jeremiah 51:7), because of her sensuality, luxury, and idolatries which she gave draughts of to the subject nations; so mystical Babylon, the apostate church (Revelation 17:4). So "the cup of devils" is opposed to "the cup of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 10:21). To partake of a wine feast where a libation was first poured to an idol made one to have fellowship with the idol, just as believing participation of the Lord's supper gives fellowship with the Lord. This is called "the cup of blessing which WE bless," the celebrants being the whole church, whose leader and representative the minister is; answering to the passover "cup of blessing," over which "blessing" was offered to God. It was at this part of the feast Jesus instituted His supper (1 Corinthians 10:15; Luke 22:17; Luke 22:20; compare 1 Chronicles 16:2-3). Figurative also is the cup of affliction (Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 51:22). Christ's sufferings (Matthew 20:22). The cup of salvation (Psalm 116:13).