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.

1. 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).
2. 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:

1. Job 21:20
2. Psalm 60:3; 75:8
3. Isa. 29:9; 51:17; 63:6
4. Jer. 25:15-16,28; 49:12
5. Lam. 4:21
6. Ezek. 23:32-34

It is used as imagery in the NT

1. of Jesus in Gethsemane referring to Calvary ‒ Matt. 20:22; 26:38-42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:47; John 18:11
2. of the judgment of the beast and his followers by God ‒ Rev. 14:10; 16:19; 19:15

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