The role of the cupbearer in biblical times was a position of significant responsibility and trust, often held by a high-ranking official in the royal court. The cupbearer was tasked with serving wine to the king and ensuring that it was not poisoned, thus safeguarding the monarch's life. This position required not only vigilance and loyalty but also a close relationship with the king, as the cupbearer was often privy to confidential matters and discussions.

One of the most notable cupbearers mentioned in the Bible is Nehemiah, who served King Artaxerxes of Persia. Nehemiah's role as cupbearer is highlighted in the opening chapter of the book bearing his name: "In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem" (Nehemiah 1:1-2). Nehemiah's position allowed him to approach the king with a request to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls, demonstrating the level of trust and influence he held.

The cupbearer's duties extended beyond merely serving drinks; they were also responsible for the quality and safety of the wine, often tasting it themselves before presenting it to the king. This act of tasting was a safeguard against assassination attempts, which were not uncommon in ancient royal courts. The cupbearer's proximity to the king often allowed them to become a confidant and advisor, as seen in Nehemiah's case.

In the account of Joseph, found in the book of Genesis, another cupbearer is mentioned during Joseph's time in prison. The chief cupbearer and the chief baker were imprisoned alongside Joseph, and both had dreams that Joseph interpreted. The cupbearer's dream involved a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and produced clusters of ripe grapes. Joseph interpreted this dream to mean that the cupbearer would be restored to his position in Pharaoh's court: "Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you did when you were his cupbearer" (Genesis 40:13). This prophecy came to pass, and the cupbearer was reinstated, highlighting the importance and restoration of his role.

The position of cupbearer, while seemingly menial, was one of great honor and influence. It required a person of integrity and loyalty, as the king's life was literally in their hands. The biblical accounts of cupbearers illustrate their critical role in the royal court and their potential to impact significant events in biblical history.Cupbearer

an officer of high rank with Egyptian, Persian and Assyrian as well as Jewish monarchs. (1 Kings 10:5) It was his duty to fill the king's cup and present it to him personally. (Nehemiah 1:11) The chief cupbearer, or butler, to the king of Egypt was the means of raising Joseph to his high position. (Genesis 40:1,21; 41:9)

An officer of high rank with Egyptian, Persian, Assyrian, and Jewish monarchs. The cup-bearer of the king of Egypt is mentioned in connection with Joseph's history (Genesis 40:1-21; 41:9). Rabshakeh (q.v.) was cup-bearer in the Assyrian court (2 Kings 18:17). Nehemiah filled this office to the king of Persia (Nehemiah 1:11). We read also of Solomon's cup-bearers (1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chronicles 9:4). 1. (n.) One whose office it is to fill and hand the cups at an entertainment.

2. (n.) One of the attendants of a prince or noble, permanently charged with the performance of this office for his master.

CUPBEARER

kup'-bar-er (mashqeh, "one giving drink"; oinochoos): An officer of high rank at ancient oriental courts, whose duty it was to serve the wine at the king's table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues, a person must be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold this position. He must guard against poison in the king's cup, and was sometimes required to swallow some of the wine before serving it. His confidential relations with the king often endeared him to his sovereign and also gave him a position of great influence. This officer is first mentioned in Scripture in Genesis 40:1, where the Hebrew word elsewhere translated "cupbearer" is rendered "butler." The phrase "chief of the butlers" (Genesis 40:2) accords with the fact that there were often a number of such officials under one as chief (compare Xen. Hellen. vii.1, 38). Nehemiah (compare Nehemiah 1:11) was cupbearer to Artaxerxes Longimanus, and was held in high esteem by him, as the record shows. His financial ability (Nehemiah 5:8, 10, 14, 17) would indicate that the office was a lucrative one. Cupbearers are mentioned further in 1 Kings 10:5 2 Chronicles 9:4, where they, among other evidences of royal splendor, are stated to have impressed the queen of Sheba with Solomon's glory. The title Rabshakeh (Isaiah 36:2), once thought to mean "chief of the cupbearers," is now given a different derivation and explained as "chief of the officers," or "princes" (BDB under the word). See further on cupbearers Herod. iii0.34; Xen. Cyrop. i.3, 8, 9; Josephus, Ant, XVI, viii, 1; Tobit 1:22.

Benjamin Reno Downer

4945a. mashqeh -- butler, cupbearer
... 4945, 4945a. mashqeh. 4945b . butler, cupbearer. Transliteration: mashqeh
Short Definition: cupbearer. Word Origin from shaqah Definition ...
/hebrew/4945a.htm - 5k

4945. mashqeh -- butler, cupbearer
... butler, cupbearer. Transliteration: mashqeh Phonetic Spelling: (mash-keh') Short
Definition: butler. butlership, cupbearer, drinking, fat pasture, watered ...
/hebrew/4945.htm - 5k

What Things Befell Joseph in Prison.
... as are equal sufferers, and to inquire one of another what were the occasions of
their being condemned to a prison: among them the king's cupbearer, and one ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 what things befell.htm

The Prophet Nehemiah
... He was in the court of Artaxerxes, a cupbearer to the king, and held a high position.
Yet he longed to hear from his native land. ... THE CONVERTED CUPBEARER,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iv the prophet nehemiah.htm

A Man of Opportunity
... and honor in the Persian court. As cupbearer to the king he was admitted
freely to the royal presence. By virtue of his position ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 52 a man of.htm

The Church and Social Evils
... My text tells how the young cupbearer was affected by the tidings, and how
he wept and prayed before God. ... I am the King's cupbearer. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the church and social evils.htm

A Reformer's Schooling
... him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.'"Nehemiah
1:1-11. The date of the completion of the Temple ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a reformers schooling.htm

Ridicule of the Heathen Divinities.
... A god, forsooth, becomes a swan, or takes the form of an eagle, and, making
Ganymede his cupbearer, glories in a vile affection. ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter x ridicule of the heathen.htm

Chapter ii.
... of the provinces. I gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights
of the sons of men, as cups and the cupbearer. 9. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/the works of dionysius/chapter ii.htm

Chapter xl
... Mashqeh is strictly a participle and means "giving to drink," so "cupbearer." Since
such persons had to be trusty individuals not involved in the frequent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xl.htm

Nehemiah's Answer to a Call for Help
... Now I was cupbearer to the king, and in the month of March in the twentieth year
of the reign of Artaxerxes, the king, I had charge of the wine offered to the ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/nehemiahs answer to a call.htm

The Restoration.
... Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the Persian king and upon hearing of the distress
of his people at Jerusalem secured permission from him to go to Jerusalem as ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvi the restoration.htm

Cupbearer (10 Occurrences)
...CUPBEARER. ... Hellen. vii.1, 38). Nehemiah (compare Nehemiah 1:11) was cupbearer to
Artaxerxes Longimanus, and was held in high esteem by him, as the record shows. ...
/c/cupbearer.htm - 12k

Baker (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 40:2 Pharaoh was angry with
his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. ...
/b/baker.htm - 9k

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... ne-he-mi'-a, ne-hem-i'-a (nechemyah, "comforted of Yah"): 1. Family 2. Youth 3.
King's Cupbearer 4. Governor of Judea 5. Death LITERATURE Nehemiah, the son of ...
/n/nehemiah.htm - 24k

Pharaoh's (72 Occurrences)
... office. You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you
were his cupbearer. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/pharaoh's.htm - 31k

Cup-bearer (5 Occurrences)
Cup-bearer. Cupbearer, Cup-bearer. Cupbearers . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(WBS). Cupbearer, Cup-bearer. Cupbearers . Reference Bible.
/c/cup-bearer.htm - 8k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 40:2 Pharaoh was angry
with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

Cup (86 Occurrences)
... You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his
cupbearer. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/cup.htm - 41k

Position (189 Occurrences)
... to your office. You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you
did when you were his cupbearer. (See NIV). Genesis 40:21 ...
/p/position.htm - 37k

Remember (230 Occurrences)
... (WEB YLT RSV NIV). Genesis 40:23 Yet the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph,
but forgot him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/remember.htm - 41k

Dream (82 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:5 They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man
according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of ...
/d/dream.htm - 47k

What is a cupbearer? | GotQuestions.org

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Who was Joseph in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Cupbearer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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