Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
A wine-cup (Gen. 40:11, 21), various forms of which are found on Assyrian and Egyptian monuments. All Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold (1 Kings 10: 21). The cups mentioned in the New Testament were made after Roman and Greek models, and were sometimes of gold (Rev. 17:4). The art of divining by means of a cup was practiced in Egypt (Gen. 44:2-17), and in the East generally. The “cup of salvation” (Ps. 116:13) is the cup of thanksgiving for the great salvation.
The “cup of consolation” (Jer. 16:7) refers to the custom of friends sending viands and wine to console relatives in mourning (Prov. 31:6). In 1 Cor. 10:16, the “cup of blessing” is contrasted with the “cup of devils” (1 Cor. 10:21). The sacramental cup is the “cup of blessing,” because of blessing pronounced over it (Matt. 26:27; Luke 22:17). The “portion of the cup” (Ps. 11:6; 16:5) denotes one’s condition of life, prosperous or adverse. A “cup” is also a type of sensual allurement (Jer. 51:7; Prov. 23:31; Rev. 17:4).
We read also of the “cup of astonishment,” the “cup of trembling,” and the “cup of God’s wrath” (Ps. 75:8; Isa. 51:17; Jer. 25:15; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 23:32; Rev. 16:19; comp. Matt. 26:39, 42; John 18:11). The cup is also the symbol of death (Matt. 16:28; Mark 9:1; Heb. 2:9).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
The cups of the Jews, whether of metal or earthenware, were possibly borrowed, in point of shape and design, from Egypt and from the Phoenicians, who were celebrated in that branch of workmanship. Egyptian cups were of various shapes, either with handles or without them. In Solomon’s time all his drinking vessels were of gold, none of silver. (1 Kings 10:21) Babylon is compared to a golden cup. (Jeremiah 51:7) The great laver, or “sea,” was made with a rim like the rim of a cup (cos), with flowers of lilies,” (1 Kings 7:26) a form which the Persepolitan cups resemble.
The cups of the New Testament were often no doubt formed on Greek and Roman models. They were sometimes of gold.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CUP. 1 Kgs 7:26. The horns of animals were anciently used by some nations as drinking-vessels, but the Jews had cups and goblets at a very early period, Gen 44:2, though they used horns for anointing-oil. 1 Sam 16:13. Some of their cups were highly ornamented, 1 Kgs 7:26, and in shape were probably not unlike those now used for culinary purposes by the Egyptians. Cups of this kind, made of gold, silver, copper, etc., according to the owner's wealth, are in use in Persia at this day. Assyrian King and Cup-bearer. The figurative use of this word in the Scriptures is frequent.
Generally, however , it represents the blessings or the judgments of Heaven, or the allotments of God's providence. Ps 23:5; Ps 75:8; Ps 116:13; Isa 51:17-22. Comp. Jer 25:15 and Jer 51:7 with Rev 14:10 and Rev 16:10. The sufferings of our Saviour are also represented bv a similar figure. Matt 20:22 and Matt 26:39.