Cup

The cup in Scripture functions both as a practical vessel and as a pervasive theological metaphor. Physically, cups in the ancient world ranged from simple clay vessels to elaborate golden drinking bowls (1 Kings 10:21; Revelation 17:4). The cup of a cupbearer was the vessel from which the king's wine was served, and the cupbearer's role was one of high trust because of the threat of poisoning. The cup of Nebuchadnezzar's vision (Daniel 5) and the wine cup of God's wrath in Jeremiah 25:15 reflect its use as a vessel of divine judgment.

The cup as a metaphor for one's appointed portion — whether of blessing or suffering — runs through the Psalms and prophets. Psalm 116:13 lifts the cup of salvation in grateful praise; Psalm 23:5 speaks of the cup running over. In Gethsemane, Jesus prays that the cup might pass from him — the cup being the full weight of divine judgment on human sin he was about to take (Matthew 26:39). The cup of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:25–28) is the cup of the new covenant in his blood, and its reception in faith is participation in the benefits of that death.