Dictionaries :: Cup

Cup:

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 (1Ki 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" (Psa 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 (Pro 31:6). In 1Cr 10:16, the "cup of blessing" is contrasted with the "cup of devils" (1Cr 10:21). The sacramental cup is the "cup of blessing," because of blessing pronounced over it (Mat 26:27; Luk 22:17). The "portion of the cup" (Psa 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; Pro 23:31; Rev 17:4). We read also of the "cup of astonishment," the "cup of trembling," and the "cup of God's wrath" (Psa 75:8; Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15; Lam 4:21; Eze 23:32; Rev 16:19; Mat 26:39,42; Jhn 18:11). The cup is also the symbol of death (Mat 16:28; Mar 9:1; Hbr 2:9).

Cup:

(Most frequently, koc; four other words in one passage each; poterion): A vessel for drinking from, of a variety of material (gold, silver, earthenware), patterns (Es 1:7) and elaboration.

Figurative: By ordinary figure of speech, put sometimes for the contents of the cup, namely, for that which is drunk (Mt 26:39). In both Old Testament and New Testament applied figuratively to that which is portioned out, and of which one is to partake; most frequently used of what is sorrowful, as God's judgments, His wrath, afflictions, etc. (Ps 11:6; 75:8; Isa 51:17; Re 14:10). In a similar sense, used by Christ concerning the sufferings endured by Him (Mt 26:39), and the calamities attending the confession of His name (Mt 20:23). In the Old Testament applied also to the blessedness and joy of the children of God, and the full provision made for their wants (Ps 16:5; 23:5; 116:13; compare Jer 16:7; Pr 31:6). All these passages refer not only to the experience of an allotted joy and sorrow, but to the fact that all others share in this experience. Within a community of those having the same interests or lot, each received his apportioned measure, just as at a feast, each cup is filled for the individual to drain at the same time that his fellow-guests are occupied in the same way.

The Holy Supper is called "the cup of the Lord" (1Co 10:21), since it is the Lord who makes the feast, and tenders the cup, just as "the cup of demons" with which it is contrasted, refers to what they offer and communicate. In 1Co 11:25, the cup is called "the new covenant in my blood," i.e. it is a pledge and seal and means of imparting the blessings of the new covenant (Heb 10:16 f)-a covenant established by the shedding of the blood of Christ. The use of the word "cup" for the sacrament shows how prominent was the part which the cup had in the Lord's Supper in apostolic times. Not only were all commanded to drink of the wine (Mt 26:27), but the very irregularities in the Corinthian church point to its universal use (1Co 11:27). Nor does the Roman church attempt to justify its withholding the cup from the laity (the communion in one form) upon conformity with apostolic practice, or upon direct Scriptural authority. This variation from the original institution is an outgrowth of the doctrines of transubstantiation and sacramental concomitance, of the attempt to transform the sacrament of the Eucharist into the sacrifice of the Mass, and of the wide separation between clergy and laity resulting from raising the ministry to the rank of a sacerdotal order. The practice was condemned by Popes Leo I (died 461) and Gelasius (died 496); but gained a firm hold in the 12th century, and was enacted into a church regulation by the Council of Constance in 1415.

See also BLESSING, CUP OF.

As to the use of cups for divination (Ge 44:5), the reference is to superstitious practice derived from the Gentiles. For various modes of divining what is unknown by the pouring of water into bowls, and making observations accordingly, see Geikie, Hours with the Bible, I, 492 f, and article DIVINATION.

Written by H. E. Jacobs

Cup: General Scriptures Concerning

Gen 40:11; 2Sa 12:3; 1Ki 7:26; Mat 23:25

Cup: Made Of

Silver,

Gen 44:2;

gold,

1Ch 28:17; Jer 52:19.

Cup: Used in the Institution of the Lord's Supper

Mat 26:27; Mar 14:23; Luk 22:20; 1Cr 10:21

Cup: Of the Table of Demons

1Cr 10:21

Cup: Figurative

Of sorrow,

Psa 11:6; 73:10; 75:8; Isa 51:17, 22; Jer 25:15-28; Eze 23:31-34; Mat 20:22, 23; 26:39; Mar 14:36; Luk 22:42; Jhn 18:11; Rev 14:10.

Of consolation,

Jer 16:7.

Of joy,

Psa 23:5.

Of salvation,

Psa 116:13.

Cup:

a diminutive of poter, denotes, primarily, a "drinking vessel;" hence, "a cup"

(a) literal, as, e.g., in Mat 10:42. The "cup" of blessing, 1Cr 10:16, is so named from the third (the fourth according to Edersheim) "cup" in the Jewish Passover Feast, over which thanks and praise were given to God. This connection is not to be rejected on the ground that the church at Corinth was unfamiliar with Jewish customs. That the contrary was the case, see 1Cr 5:7;

(b) figurative, of one's lot or experience, joyous or sorrowful (frequent in the Psalms; cp. Psa 116:18, "cup of salvation"); in the NT it is used most frequently of the sufferings of Christ, Mat 20:22, 23; 26:39; Mar 10:38, 39; 14:36; Luk 22:42; Jhn 18:11; also of the evil deeds of Babylon, Rev 17:4; 18:6; of Divine punishments to be inflicted, Rev 14:10; 16:19. Cp. Psa 11:6; 75:8; Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15; Eze 23:32-34; Zec 12:2.

Cup:

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 (1 Kings 10:21). Babylon is compared to a golden cup (Jeremiah 51:7). The great laver, or "sea," was made with a rim like the rim of a cup (cos) with flowers of lilies," (1 Kings 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 (Revelation 17:4).