Encyclopedia entry
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 (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).
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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; comp. Matt. 26:39, 42; John 18:11). The cup is also the symbol of death (Matt. 16:28; Mark 9:1; Heb. 2:9).
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
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)
In the Bible
62
Verses where Cup is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Corinthians 10:16
Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
- 1 Corinthians 10:21
You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.
- 1 Corinthians 11:25
In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
- 1 Corinthians 11:27
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 11:28
Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
+56 more verses naming Cup.
Scripture on Cup
42
See all 42 +−
- Luke 221 Corinthians 11Revelation 17Isaiah 51Jeremiah 511 Corinthians 101 Kings 71 Kings 10Psalms 11Psalms 75Psalms 116Proverbs 23Jeremiah 16Lamentations 4Matthew 20Matthew 23Mark 9Mark 10Mark 14John 18Revelation 162 Samuel 121 Kings 172 Chronicles 4Psalms 16Psalms 23Psalms 73Proverbs 31Jeremiah 49Habakkuk 2Zechariah 12Matthew 10Matthew 16Luke 11Hebrews 2Revelation 14Revelation 18
Cup references
13
Voices on Cup
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.