Cup: Made of Gold
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In biblical literature, the imagery of a cup made of gold is rich with symbolism and significance, often representing divine judgment, blessing, or the opulence associated with wealth and power. The use of gold, a precious and incorruptible metal, underscores the value and importance of the cup's contents or the entity it represents.

Old Testament References

1. Temple Worship and Sacred Use: In the context of temple worship, gold cups were part of the sacred vessels used in the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. These vessels were crafted according to divine specifications given to Moses. While the Bible does not explicitly mention gold cups in the Tabernacle, the use of gold in sacred objects is well-documented, emphasizing the holiness and purity required in worship (Exodus 25:29).

2. Symbol of Judgment and Wrath: The imagery of a golden cup is also used metaphorically to describe the judgment of God upon nations. In Jeremiah 51:7, Babylon is described as "a golden cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore they have gone mad." Here, the golden cup symbolizes the intoxicating influence and eventual downfall of Babylon, a tool of divine wrath.

New Testament References

1. Revelation and Eschatological Imagery: The Book of Revelation employs the imagery of a golden cup to depict the opulence and corruption of Babylon the Great, a symbol of worldly power and immorality. Revelation 17:4 describes the woman sitting on a scarlet beast: "The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality." The golden cup here signifies the seductive allure and ultimate moral decay of the entity it represents.

2. Contrast with the Cup of Christ: The golden cup stands in stark contrast to the cup of suffering that Jesus refers to in the Gospels. In Matthew 26:39, Jesus prays in Gethsemane, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." While not made of gold, this cup represents the sacrificial suffering and redemptive work of Christ, highlighting the difference between worldly splendor and divine purpose.

Theological Implications

The use of a golden cup in Scripture often serves as a powerful symbol of both divine judgment and the seductive nature of sin. It reflects the tension between the temporal allure of wealth and power and the eternal values of God's kingdom. The golden cup, whether in the context of judgment or corruption, calls believers to discernment and faithfulness, urging them to seek the true riches found in Christ rather than the fleeting pleasures of the world.
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1 Chronicles 28:17
Also pure gold for the meat hooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver by weight for every basin of silver:
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Jeremiah 52:19
And the basins, and the fire pans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.
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Library

The Collar of Gold
... do with this?" he asked, holding up the collar of gold. ... demanded of himself, impatiently,
why he had made Nechutes' peace, why he kept the cup-bearer for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ix the collar of.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... Jesus Christ drank a bitter cup, it made Him sweat drops ... yet there is some wormwood
in the cup left, which ... the fire works out the dross from the gold, "This is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

The Oracles.
... Afterward he drank of another enchanted cup, which contained the water of remembrance ...
as it might, perhaps, more properly be called, which was made of gold. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vi the oracles.htm

Justification by Grace
... But his love for his people was so strong, that he took the cup in both his ... for your
foot to stand on in heaven; for the streets are made of gold there, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/justification by grace.htm

Meditation iv. The Chalice Used at the Last Supper
... not mistaken, were wrapped up in a case made of leather. ... The cup was pear-shaped,
massive, dark-coloured, and highly polished, with gold ornaments, and ...
/.../meditation iv the chalice used.htm

Concerning the Garments of the Priests, and of the High Priest.
... another; out of which arose a cup of gold, which resembled ... but in the compass of
its aperture is like a cup. ... Of this was a crown made, as far from the hinder ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning the garments.htm

Chapter xliv
... house of the steward's lord "silver or gold." That is ... And he made the search"with
the eldest he began ... with the youngest he finished"and the cup was found in ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xliv.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as ... large number of people; but the
fine gold of character ... It is not the empty cup that we have difficulty in ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

Imperial Tombs.
... he refused, but touched the rim of the cup with his ... before he could determine to
kill himself; he made up his ... in a sheet of white woven with gold, the same ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter iv imperial tombs.htm

Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... Jesus came, not as a copy of the truth made by a ... apocalypse: and the streets of the
city were gold so pure ... memory, came before God, who gave her a cup of wine ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book ix on jerusalem and.htm

Resources
How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Haggadah / Aggadah? | GotQuestions.org

Why is there so much disagreement about holy communion? | GotQuestions.org

Cup: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Cup

Cup of Consolation

Cup of Joy

Cup of Salvation

Cup of Sorrow

Cup of the Table of Demons

Cup used in the Institution of the Lord's Supper

Cup: General Scriptures Concerning

Cup: Made of Gold

Cup: Made of Silver

Related Terms

Cup-bearer (5 Occurrences)

Cup-bearers (7 Occurrences)

Goblet-cup (1 Occurrence)

Wine-cup (1 Occurrence)

Goblet (6 Occurrences)

Cupbearer (10 Occurrences)

Dregs (7 Occurrences)

Staggering (7 Occurrences)

Pharaoh's (72 Occurrences)

Stagger (20 Occurrences)

Dish (54 Occurrences)

Platter (20 Occurrences)

Baptized (52 Occurrences)

Butler (9 Occurrences)

Chalice (1 Occurrence)

Supping (2 Occurrences)

Supped (2 Occurrences)

Blessing (357 Occurrences)

Drunken (38 Occurrences)

Bowl (44 Occurrences)

Office (64 Occurrences)

Flowers (42 Occurrences)

Youngest (26 Occurrences)

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)

Grapes (74 Occurrences)

Inside (185 Occurrences)

Reeling (2 Occurrences)

Beaker (1 Occurrence)

Bewilderment (7 Occurrences)

Brim (9 Occurrences)

Containeth (3 Occurrences)

Crushing (93 Occurrences)

Squeezed (2 Occurrences)

Sack (15 Occurrences)

Plate (34 Occurrences)

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Often (74 Occurrences)

Drained (38 Occurrences)

Thanks (151 Occurrences)

Meal (288 Occurrences)

Agony (20 Occurrences)

Pressed (65 Occurrences)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Bag (52 Occurrences)

Possible (133 Occurrences)

Poured (155 Occurrences)

Outside (215 Occurrences)

Yours (226 Occurrences)

Wilt (324 Occurrences)

Bless (174 Occurrences)

Whenever (123 Occurrences)

Can't (180 Occurrences)

Drink (414 Occurrences)

Eucharist

Clean (298 Occurrences)

Remembrance (74 Occurrences)

Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)

Pleasure (331 Occurrences)

Supper (17 Occurrences)

Placed (297 Occurrences)

Drank (70 Occurrences)

Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)

Olves

Oft (18 Occurrences)

Offered (320 Occurrences)

Joint-partakers (2 Occurrences)

Lose (59 Occurrences)

Lilies (15 Occurrences)

Lily-blossoms (2 Occurrences)

Greed (19 Occurrences)

Grain-money (1 Occurrence)

Wine-servant (8 Occurrences)

Within (400 Occurrences)

Thickness (12 Occurrences)

Ratified (5 Occurrences)

Rapine (5 Occurrences)

Robbery (18 Occurrences)

Remove (173 Occurrences)

Cup: General Scriptures Concerning
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