Lexical Summary gabia: Cup, Bowl, Goblet Original Word: גְּבִיעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance house, cup, pot From an unused root (meaning to be convex); a goblet; by analogy, the calyx of a flower -- house, cup, pot. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Geba Definition a cup, bowl NASB Translation cup (5), cups (8), pitchers (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גָּבִיעַ noun masculineGenesis 44:12 cup, bowl — ׳ג Genesis 44:12 2t.; construct גְּבִיעַ Genesis 44:2; suffix גְּבִיעִי Genesis 44:2; plural גְּבִיעִים Exodus 25:34, גְּבִעִים Exodus 25:33; Exodus 25:33 4t.; suffix גְּבִיעֶיהָ Exodus 25:31; Exodus 37:17; — cup (of Joseph) Genesis 44:2,12,16,17; plural cups (of golden candlestick in tabernacle) Exodus 25:31,33 (twice in verse); Exodus 25:34; Exodus 37:17,19 (3 t. in verse); Exodus 37:20; bowls Jeremiah 35:5 גְּבִעִים מלאים יין וכֹסוֺת. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Term The Hebrew noun גְּבִיעַ denotes a drinking vessel of some importance—variously rendered “cup,” “goblet,” or “bowl.” Its fourteen Old-Testament occurrences cluster around three contexts: (1) Joseph’s silver cup in Egypt, (2) decorative cups on the golden lampstand of the wilderness tabernacle, and (3) Jeremiah’s hospitality test of the Rechabites. In each setting the object serves as more than tableware; it becomes a theological signpost revealing God’s providence, holiness, and call to obedience. 1. Joseph’s Silver Cup: Instrument of Providence and Disclosure – Divine sovereignty: What appears a human ruse is God’s means of preserving the covenant family. – Moral testing: The cup exposes the brothers’ repentance, contrasting their former betrayal of Joseph. – Typology: A treasured cup in the governor’s hand anticipates the New-Covenant cup held by the greater Joseph, Jesus Christ, who tests and redeems His brethren. 2. Cups on the Lampstand: Symbols of Light and Life – Artistic craftsmanship: Each goblet-shaped ornament enhanced the lampstand’s resemblance to a flourishing tree—an Edenic image inside the holy place. – Liturgical function: While not used for drinking, the cup-like forms received and reflected the lamp oil, sustaining perpetual light before the LORD. – Holiness: Only pure gold was acceptable, underscoring the sanctity required for any vessel serving in God’s presence. – Witness: The lampstand’s light points forward to the church’s calling to “shine as lights in the world” (compare Philippians 2:15). 3. Jeremiah and the Rechabites: A Cup of Obedience – Covenant faithfulness: The Rechabites’ refusal contrasts with Judah’s covenant breach, validating imminent judgment. – Discipleship model: Voluntary self-denial for the sake of obedience receives divine commendation (Jeremiah 35:18-19). 4. Theological and Typological Reflections 5. Application for Contemporary Ministry Key Passages for Further Study Genesis 44:2; Genesis 44:16–17 Exodus 25:31–34; Exodus 37:17-20 Forms and Transliterations גְ֠בִעִים גְּבִ֣יעַ גְּבִיעִ֞י גְּבִיעֶ֛יהָ גְּבִעִ֛ים גְבִעִ֑ים גְבִעִ֗ים גביע גביעי גביעיה גבעים הַגָּבִ֔יעַ הַגָּבִ֖יעַ הַגָּבִ֜יעַ הגביע gə·ḇî·‘e·hā gə·ḇî·‘î gə·ḇi·‘îm ḡə·ḇi·‘îm gə·ḇî·a‘ gəḇî‘ehā gəḇî‘î gəḇi‘îm ḡəḇi‘îm gəḇîa‘ geVia geviEiha geviI Geviim hag·gā·ḇî·a‘ haggāḇîa‘ haggaViaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 44:2 HEB: וְאֶת־ גְּבִיעִ֞י גְּבִ֣יעַ הַכֶּ֗סֶף NAS: Put my cup, the silver cup, KJV: And put my cup, the silver cup, INT: my cup cup the silver Genesis 44:2 Genesis 44:12 Genesis 44:16 Genesis 44:17 Exodus 25:31 Exodus 25:33 Exodus 25:33 Exodus 25:34 Exodus 37:17 Exodus 37:19 Exodus 37:19 Exodus 37:20 Jeremiah 35:5 14 Occurrences |