CUNNING (kiin'ning), (Heb. khaw-shab', Ps. cxxxvii:5, ability, skill, dexterity). It means (1) skillful, artful (Gen. xxv:27; Exod. xxxi.4, and xxxv:35); (2) crafty, deceitful (Eph. iv:14). In Kings vii:14 (Heb. dah'ath) it means knowledge, skillfulness.
CUP (klip), the translation mostly in the Old Testament of the Heb. koce, a receptacle; in the New Testament, of the Gr. 71-07-A,,p/ov, fiol-ay' ree-on, a drinking vessel.
1. It means (i) a drinking vessel made of gold, silver, glass, wood, or the like (Gen. x1:13). (2) The liquor contained in it (t Cor. xi :27).
2. Cup of blessing (t Cor. x :16) is that which was blessed in entertainments of ceremony.
3. Cup of Salvation (Ps. cxvi :13) is a cup of thanksgiving, of blessing the Lord for his mercies. We see this practice where the Jews of Egypt, in their festivals for deliverance, offered cups of sal vation. Some commentators believe "the cup of salvation" to be a libation of wine poured on the victim sacrificed on thanksgiving occasions, ac cording to the law of Moses (Exod. xxix :40).
4. Cup of Joseph, or Cup of Divination, by which, according to the English translation, he is said to have divined (Gen. xliv :5). From cus toms still used in the East, it seems probable that this, instead of being a cup by which to divine, was a cup of distinction, or one peculiar to the governor, which had been presented, as they now are in some parts, by the citizens whom he gov erned.
FiguratiVe. (1) As by cups men's shares of liquor were given them, and affected them dif ferently, the share of any thing is called a cup. So the soul-satisfying inheritance of the saints is called the portion of their cup (Ps. xvi :5) ; and
the state of wicked men is called their cup (Ps. xi:6). (2) An abundant share of blessings, pros perity, joy, and salvation is called a cup (Ps. xxiii :5, and cxvi :13) ; and a share of terrible af flictions is called a cup (Ps. lxxv :8; Is. Ii :17; Matt. xx :23, and xxvi :39; John xviihri). (3) The cup of devils is liquor drunk at idolatrous feasts, and in mad revels (t Cor. x :21). (4) Men are likened to cups and platters; first their inside, or heart, should be cleansed, and then their out side, or practice (Matt. xxiii :25, 26). (5) Baby lon is called a golden cup; great were her riches and wealth ; and by her the Lord inflicted his judgments on the nations ( Jer. Ii :7, and xxv). (6) Antichrist is said to have a golden cup, to de note her abundant luxury, power, and wealth, and the specious means by which she seduces the na tions to idolatry, superstition, and error ( Rev. xvii : 4). (7) The cup of wine in the Lord's Supper is called a cup of blessing; it is solemnly set apart and dedicated to a holy use, and all the blessings of the new covenant are represented and sealed by it (t Cor. :r6). (8) To take the cup of salvation is, with cheerful joy,- gratitude, and praise, to take hold of and improve God's deliverance and eternal redemption ( Ps. cxvi :13). There seems to be here an allusion to the drinking of the wine at the feast of the (9) To drink the cup of trembling, or of the of the Lord, is to be afflicted with sore and terrible judgments (Is. li :17 ; Ps. lxxv :8 ; Jer. xxv :15-29 ; Matt. xx :23).