Goblets, often referred to as cups or chalices in biblical texts, are vessels used for drinking, typically associated with wine. These items are mentioned throughout the Bible, symbolizing both literal and metaphorical meanings. In ancient times, goblets were crafted from various materials, including gold, silver, bronze, and pottery, reflecting the wealth and status of their owners.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, goblets are frequently mentioned in the context of feasting and celebration. For instance, in the book of Genesis, Joseph uses a silver cup as part of a test for his brothers: "Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed" (Genesis 44:1-3). The silver cup, or goblet, becomes a pivotal element in the narrative, symbolizing Joseph's authority and the unfolding of God's plan.

The opulence of goblets is further highlighted in the descriptions of Solomon's wealth. In 1 Kings 10:21, it is noted, "All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. None were silver, because silver was considered worthless in the days of Solomon" . This passage underscores the grandeur and prosperity of Solomon's reign, with goblets serving as a testament to his wealth.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, goblets take on a more symbolic role, particularly in the context of the Last Supper. Jesus uses a cup to institute the Lord's Supper, a central sacrament in Christian worship. In Matthew 26:27-28, it is recorded, "Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins'" . Here, the goblet becomes a profound symbol of the new covenant between God and humanity, representing Jesus' sacrificial blood.

The imagery of goblets is also present in the book of Revelation, where they are associated with divine wrath and judgment. Revelation 16:19 states, "The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath" . In this apocalyptic vision, the goblet signifies the outpouring of God's judgment upon the earth.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Throughout the Bible, goblets are rich in symbolism. They can represent abundance and blessing, as seen in the feasts of the Old Testament, or they can signify judgment and wrath, as depicted in Revelation. In the context of the Lord's Supper, the goblet is a powerful emblem of redemption and the new covenant, central to Christian theology.

The use of goblets in biblical narratives often reflects the broader themes of God's provision, authority, and the unfolding of His divine plan. Whether in the hands of a king or at the Last Supper, goblets serve as a reminder of the spiritual truths and historical events that shape the biblical account.

The Oracles.
... an incredible number of living victims, he caused to be prepared a great number
of couches, magnificently decorated with silver and gold, and goblets and other ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vi the oracles.htm

The Bishop Elect and Consecrate
... men fussed about fine copes, chasubles, and mitres, and dogged the clerical tailors,
or pottered about in goldsmiths' shops to get a grand equipment of goblets ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter iv the bishop elect.htm

That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian ...
... boiled teals. Other slaves kept the goblets full of old wine. Soon the
banquet had become a revel of song and laughter. Suddenly ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 4 that evening vergilius.htm

Classification.
... The appearance is that of a vast collection of microscopic urns, goblets, and vases,
each richly ornamented with small sculptured discs or perforations which ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/classification.htm

On Costly Vessels.
... Away, then, with Thericleian cups and Antigonides, and Canthari, and goblets, and
Lepast??, [1391] and the endless shapes of drinking vessels, and wine-coolers ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii on costly vessels.htm

Inevitable Nemesis
... Where are the false friends, the swarms of parasites, the tables laden with viands,
the goblets crowned with luscious wines and passing all day long from hand ...
/.../chapter xxviii inevitable nemesis.htm

Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold.
... The same historian tells us of the gifts or offerings which adorned it: crowns,
shields, goblets, chain of gold present by Agrippa, and a golden vine with its ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxiii destruction of jerusalem foretold.htm

Wine is Used Along with Incense; and of This...
... Give, I beg, to the immortal gods to drink; bring forth goblets, bowls, [4906] ladles,
and cups; and as they stuff themselves with bulls, and luxurious feasts ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/29 wine is used along.htm

Having Mentioned the Baptist, St. ...
... And since the hunger for such unheard-of cruelty could not be satisfied by banquets,
nor the thirst by goblets, drink the blood pouring from the still flowing ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi having mentioned the.htm

The Feast of the Lord
... Saints! ye cannot tell what golden goblets those are of which ye shall
drink in the thousand years of the Redeemer's triumph. Ye ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the feast of the lord.htm

Goblets (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Goblets (12 Occurrences). Exodus 25:29 And thou
shalt make the dishes thereof, and cups thereof, and goblets...
/g/goblets.htm - 10k

Utensils (72 Occurrences)
... Exodus 37:16 And he made the utensils that were on the table, the dishes thereof,
and the cups thereof, and the bowls thereof, and the goblets with which to ...
/u/utensils.htm - 28k

Goblet-cup (1 Occurrence)
Goblet-cup. Goblet, Goblet-cup. Goblets . Multi-Version Concordance
Goblet-cup (1 Occurrence). ... Goblet, Goblet-cup. Goblets . Reference Bible.
/g/goblet-cup.htm - 6k

Recabite (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 35:5 and I put before the sons of the house of the Rechabites goblets full
of wine, and cups, and I say unto them, Drink ye wine. (See NIV). ...
/r/recabite.htm - 6k

Drink-offering (33 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:7 And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue; and
put thereon the dishes, and the cups, and the bowls, and goblets of the drink ...
/d/drink-offering.htm - 18k

Basons (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 28:17 and pure gold for the forks, and the bowls, and the goblets;
and for the golden basons by weight for every bason; and for the silver basons ...
/b/basons.htm - 9k

Censers (11 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 52:19 And the basons and the censers, and the bowls, and the pots, and
the candlesticks, and the cups, and the goblets, that which was of gold in gold ...
/c/censers.htm - 10k

Body-guard (23 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 52:19 And the basons and the censers, and the bowls, and the pots, and
the candlesticks, and the cups, and the goblets, that which was of gold in gold ...
/b/body-guard.htm - 14k

Bason (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 28:17 and pure gold for the forks, and the bowls, and the goblets;
and for the golden basons by weight for every bason; and for the silver basons ...
/b/bason.htm - 13k

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)
... Numbers 4:7 And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue; and
put thereon the dishes, and the cups, and the bowls, and goblets of the drink ...
/s/shewbread.htm - 20k

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