CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The Cup</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_cup.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/psalms/23-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/c/cup.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The Cup</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_cultural_context_of_ancient_israel.htm" title="The Cultural Context of Ancient Israel">◄</a> The Cup <a href="/topical/t/the_cup_and_baptism.htm" title="The Cup and Baptism">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In biblical literature, "The Cup" is a multifaceted symbol that appears throughout both the Old and New Testaments. It is often used metaphorically to represent a range of experiences, from divine blessing to judgment and suffering.<br><br><b>Old Testament Usage</b><br><br>1. <b>Symbol of Blessing and Salvation</b>: In the Old Testament, the cup is sometimes associated with God's blessings and salvation. <a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a> states, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Here, the overflowing cup symbolizes abundance and divine favor.<br><br>2. <b>Symbol of Judgment and Wrath</b>: Conversely, the cup is also a symbol of God's judgment and wrath. In <a href="/isaiah/51-17.htm">Isaiah 51:17</a> , the prophet speaks of the "cup of His wrath," indicating a period of divine punishment: "Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of His wrath, who have drained to its dregs the goblet that makes men stagger."<br><br>3. <b>Cup of Suffering</b>: The cup can also represent suffering and hardship. In <a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Lamentations 4:21</a> , the cup is linked to the suffering of Edom: "Rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz. Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will become drunk and expose yourself."<br><br><b>New Testament Usage</b><br><br>1. <b>The Cup of the New Covenant</b>: In the New Testament, the cup takes on a profound significance in the context of the Last Supper. Jesus uses the cup to symbolize the new covenant in His blood. In <a href="/luke/22-20.htm">Luke 22:20</a> , it is written, "In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'" This establishes the cup as a central element in Christian sacramental theology, representing the atoning sacrifice of Christ.<br><br>2. <b>Cup of Suffering and Sacrifice</b>: Jesus also refers to the cup in the context of His impending suffering and sacrifice. In <a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39</a> , during His prayer in Gethsemane, He says, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." Here, the cup symbolizes the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus is about to endure for the salvation of humanity.<br><br>3. <b>Cup of Fellowship and Communion</b>: The Apostle Paul speaks of the cup in terms of Christian fellowship and communion. In <a href="/1_corinthians/10-16.htm">1 Corinthians 10:16</a> , he writes, "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?" The cup here signifies the unity and shared faith of believers in the redemptive work of Christ.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>The imagery of the cup in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of both divine judgment and grace. It encapsulates the dual themes of suffering and redemption, reflecting the complex relationship between humanity and the divine. The cup's presence in key biblical narratives underscores its importance as a symbol of God's interaction with His people, whether in blessing, judgment, or the promise of eternal life through Christ.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/cup.htm">Cup</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup_of_consolation.htm">Cup of Consolation</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup_of_joy.htm">Cup of Joy</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup_of_salvation.htm">Cup of Salvation</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup_of_sorrow.htm">Cup of Sorrow</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup_of_the_table_of_demons.htm">Cup of the Table of Demons</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup_used_in_the_institution_of_the_lord's_supper.htm">Cup used in the Institution of the Lord's Supper</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup--general_scriptures_concerning.htm">Cup: General Scriptures Concerning</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup--made_of_gold.htm">Cup: Made of Gold</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/c/cup--made_of_silver.htm">Cup: Made of Silver</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/baker.htm">Baker (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh's.htm">Pharaoh's (72 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cup-bearer.htm">Cup-bearer (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cup.htm">Cup (86 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/position.htm">Position (189 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/remember.htm">Remember (230 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dream.htm">Dream (82 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/offenses.htm">Offenses (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/officials.htm">Officials (229 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jail.htm">Jail (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/granting.htm">Granting (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/faults.htm">Faults (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/furious.htm">Furious (28 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/forgot.htm">Forgot (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/rabshakeh.htm">Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/restore.htm">Restore (122 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dreamed.htm">Dreamed (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/birthday.htm">Birthday (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/butler.htm">Butler (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/confined.htm">Confined (18 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shortcomings.htm">Shortcomings (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/restored.htm">Restored (77 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/officers.htm">Officers (171 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/meaning.htm">Meaning (41 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/office.htm">Office (64 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cyrus.htm">Cyrus (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lift.htm">Lift (283 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/aramaic.htm">Aramaic (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/beseech.htm">Beseech (85 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/vine.htm">Vine (76 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/angry.htm">Angry (269 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/third.htm">Third (192 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lifted.htm">Lifted (466 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/front.htm">Front (327 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bound.htm">Bound (175 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/language.htm">Language (112 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/government.htm">Government (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/feast.htm">Feast (209 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/held.htm">Held (223 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph (248 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/prison.htm">Prison (131 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/interpretation.htm">Interpretation (45 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/king.htm">King (25505 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kingdom.htm">Kingdom (409 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt (596 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/the_cultural_context_of_ancient_israel.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="The Cultural Context of Ancient Israel"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="The Cultural Context of Ancient Israel" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/the_cup_and_baptism.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="The Cup and Baptism"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="The Cup and Baptism" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>