גְּבִיעַ
a goblet; by analogy, the calyx of aflower
Definition
The Hebrew noun גְּבִיעַ (gᵉbîyaʻ) primarily refers to a 'goblet' or 'cup,' a specific type of drinking vessel, often ornate and associated with wealth or ceremony. In its most famous narrative use, it is Joseph's silver cup (גְּבִיעַ) used to test his brothers (Genesis 44:2, 12). In a distinct, metaphorical sense, the word describes the ornamental 'calyx' or bud-shaped cups on the golden lampstand (menorah), where it refers to the almond-blossom-shaped fixtures that held the lamps (Exodus 25:31-34, 37:17-20).
Biblical Usage
גְּבִיעַ appears 11 times in the Old Testament, primarily in two contexts. In narrative, it is used exclusively in Genesis 44 for Joseph's personal silver cup, central to the drama of testing his brothers. In architectural/ritual descriptions, it is used 7 times across Exodus 25 and 37 to detail the design of the tabernacle's golden lampstand, specifying the decorative cups shaped like almond blossoms. This clear division shows its use for both a literal luxury item and a stylized cultic object.
Etymology
Derived from an unused root meaning 'to be convex, arched, or curved,' גְּבִיעַ inherently describes a hollow, bowl-shaped object. This root idea connects the two main uses: both a drinking goblet and the cupped calyx of a flower (or its artistic representation) share this curved, containing form. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, also relate to cups or bowls.
Semantic Range
This word connects divine providence and sacred worship. Joseph's cup (Genesis 44) becomes an instrument of testing, repentance, and ultimately reconciliation, pointing to God's hidden guidance. In the tabernacle, the golden 'cups' on the menorah (Exodus 25:31) are part of God's meticulous design for holy space, symbolizing life (the almond tree) and God's light shining through ordained patterns. Understanding this term enriches seeing how ordinary objects (a cup) and sacred art can serve profound divine purposes.
A גְּבִיעַ was not a common drinking bowl but a special cup, likely with a stem and base, denoting status and used for wine. Joseph's silver cup would also be associated with divination (Genesis 44:5, 15), reflecting ancient Near Eastern practices where the shape and contents of a cup were used for omens. The detailed description of the lampstand's cups reflects high-value goldsmithing and the cultural importance of botanical motifs in sacred art.
כּוֹס (kôs, H3563) — a more general term for 'cup' or 'goblet,' often for drinking; סֵפֶל (çêphel, H5592) — a bowl or basin, typically for larger quantities or washing; פָּךְ (pâk, H6378) — a small vial or flask for oil, not for drinking.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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