SPECIAL TOPIC: CUP
The term "cup" (BDB 468) was used in Ugaritic literature to mean destiny. In the Bible, however,
it seems to mean the experiences of life, whether good or evil.
- It was usually used in the sense of judgment (i.e., drunkenness, cf. Job 21:20; Ps. 60:3; 75:8; Isa. 29:9; 51:17-23;
63:6; Jer. 25:15-28, 49:12, 51:7; Lam. 4:21-22; Ezek. 23:31-34; Hab. 2:16; Zech. 12:2; Rev. 14:10, 16:19, 17:4, 18:6).
- However, it was also mentioned in a few passages as blessings (cf. Ps. 16:5, 23:5, 116:13; Jer. 16:7).
The word "cup" (BDB 468) is often an idiom for judgment. As one drinks and becomes drunk,
with its physical and emotional consequences, the idiom of "cup" became a way to describe poor choices and
their consequences. Some examples of this idiom:
- Job 21:20
- Psalm 60:3; 75:8
- Isa. 29:9; 51:17; 63:6
- Jer. 25:15-16,28; 49:12
- Lam. 4:21
- Ezek. 23:32-34
It is used as imagery in the NT
- of Jesus in Gethsemane referring to Calvary ‒ Matt. 20:22; 26:38-42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:47; John 18:11
- of the judgment of the beast and his followers by God ‒ Rev. 14:10; 16:19; 19:15
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