Cup
כּוֹס (kos)
A portion assigned — representing God's allotted destiny of blessing or judgment.
Kos is the Hebrew word for cup, used metaphorically for God's assigned portion — whether blessing or judgment. Jesus' prayer to 'let this cup pass' reveals the cup as the full measure of God's wrath borne on the cross.
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." — Psalm 23:5 (KJV)
Key Verses
Psalm 23:5
“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”Read in context
Matthew 26:39
“O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's G4221 — Cup (כּוֹס (kos))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where כּוֹס (kos) appears.
Open Strong's G4221Etymology and Original Meaning
Kos means 'cup' — a drinking vessel. Metaphorically, the cup represents one's assigned portion, lot, or destiny. In the ancient world, the host determined what cup each guest received. Applied theologically, God is the host who determines each person's portion — blessing or judgment, joy or suffering. The contents of the cup represent what God assigns.
The Cup of Blessing
David celebrated, 'My cup runneth over' (Psalm 23:5) — God's generosity exceeds the capacity to contain it. The psalmist lifts 'the cup of salvation' (Psalm 116:13) — receiving with gratitude what God has given. The communion cup is 'the cup of blessing' (1 Corinthians 10:16) — the new covenant in Christ's blood. The cup of blessing celebrates God's overflowing generosity and redemption.
The Cup of Wrath
The prophets spoke of God's 'cup of fury' (Isaiah 51:17; Jeremiah 25:15) — the full measure of His righteous judgment poured out on sin. Revelation pictures 'the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation' (14:10). The cup of wrath is terrifying: God's undiluted judgment on rebellion and evil.
Jesus and the Cup
In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, 'Let this cup pass from me' (Matthew 26:39). The cup He faced was not merely physical death but the full cup of God's wrath against sin — borne by the sinless One in place of sinners. He chose to drink it: 'Not as I will, but as thou wilt.' Because Jesus drank the cup of wrath, believers receive the cup of blessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cup mean in the Bible?
Cup (kos) represents God's assigned portion — either blessing or judgment. It symbolizes what God has determined for a person, whether overflowing goodness (Psalm 23:5) or the wrath borne by Christ (Matthew 26:39).
What was the cup Jesus prayed about in Gethsemane?
The cup was the full measure of God's wrath against sin that Jesus would bear on the cross. He asked if it could pass but submitted to the Father's will, drinking it so that believers might receive the cup of blessing instead.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Cup"?
Psalm 23:5 — "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over" (KJV). It also appears in Matthew 26:39, Psalm 116:13.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Cup" matter?
Kos means 'cup' — a drinking vessel. Metaphorically, the cup represents one's assigned portion, lot, or destiny. English uses one word, "Cup", where the Hebrew כּוֹס (kos) carries the fuller sense: a portion assigned — representing god's allotted destiny of blessing or judgment.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Cup (כּוֹס (kos))
A portion assigned — representing God's allotted destiny of blessing or judgment.
Strong's G4221 — Cup
כּוֹס (kos) • A portion assigned — representing God's allotted destiny of blessing or judgment.
Wrath (חֵמָה (Chemah) / ὀργή (Orgē))
God's righteous anger against sin and injustice
Strong's H1588 — Garden (Gan)
גַּן (gan) • An enclosed, cultivated space — the place of divine presence, delight, and human vocation.
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
Biblical Meaning of Fire in a Dream (KJV)
God's presence, purification, and judgment.
Where to go next
Studied the meaning of Cup? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.
- Bible word meanings A–ZHebrew and Greek words explained in plain English.Continue
- Go deeper with word studiesStrong's numbers, usage and every KJV occurrence.Continue
- Bible questions answered from ScriptureStraight KJV answers to common questions.Continue
- Read the KJV Bible online freeFull text, chapter by chapter.Continue