SPECIAL TOPIC: CUP

1. Old Testament ‒
   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.
   1. 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:
      1. Job 21:20
      2. Ps. 11:6; 60:3; 75:8
      3. Isa. 29:9-10; 51:17,22; 63:6
      4. Jer. 25:15-17,28; 49:12; 51:7
      5. Lam. 4:21
      6. Ezek. 23:32-34
      7. Obad. v. 16
      8. Hab. 2:15-16
      9. Zech. 12:2
   2. However, it was also mentioned in a few passages as blessings (cf. Ps. 16:5, 23:5, 116:13; Jer. 16:7).
   
   
2. New Testament ‒
   It was used as imagery in the NT
   1. The cup of blessing (i.e., the New Covenant of Jer. 31:31034; Ezek. 36:22-36) at the Last Suppeer ‒ 1 Cor. 10:16,21
   2. of Jesus in Gethsemane referring to the Father's redemptive plan, Calvary ‒ Matt. 20:22; 26:38-42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 18:11
   3. of the judgment of the sea beast and his followers by God ‒ Rev. 14:10; 16:19; 19:15 (i.e., the Messiah with a two edged sword as a tongue)
   4. the gold cup of abominations of Babylon ‒ Rev. 17:4-6; 18:6

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