The role of the cup-bearer in biblical times was a position of significant responsibility and trust, often held by a high-ranking official in the royal court. The primary duty of the cup-bearer was to serve wine to the king, ensuring that it was not poisoned, thus safeguarding the monarch's life. This position required not only vigilance and loyalty but also a close relationship with the king, as the cup-bearer often had the king's ear and could influence royal decisions.

Biblical References:

1. Nehemiah: One of the most notable cup-bearers in the Bible is Nehemiah, who served King Artaxerxes of Persia. Nehemiah's role is highlighted in the opening chapter of the book bearing his name. Nehemiah 1:11 states, "O Lord, I pray, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the cupbearer to the king." Nehemiah's position allowed him to request permission from the king to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, demonstrating the influence and trust associated with his role.

2. Joseph's Story: The role of the cup-bearer is also mentioned in the account of Joseph in Genesis. Pharaoh's cup-bearer, along with the chief baker, was imprisoned and had dreams interpreted by Joseph. Genesis 40:1-2 recounts, "Some time later, the king’s cupbearer and baker offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker." The cup-bearer's dream, as interpreted by Joseph, foretold his restoration to his position, which eventually led to Joseph's rise to power in Egypt.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the cup-bearer was more than a mere servant; he was a confidant and advisor to the king. The position required a person of integrity and discretion, as the cup-bearer had access to the king's private chambers and was privy to confidential matters. The trust placed in a cup-bearer was immense, as any betrayal could lead to the king's death.

The cup-bearer's role also extended beyond the mere act of serving wine. He was often involved in ceremonial functions and could wield considerable influence in the court. The position was sometimes a stepping stone to higher office, as seen in the case of Nehemiah, who became a governor of Judah.

Spiritual Significance:

From a spiritual perspective, the role of the cup-bearer can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian's duty to serve faithfully and protect the integrity of their faith. Just as the cup-bearer was vigilant in guarding the king's life, believers are called to be vigilant in their spiritual walk, safeguarding their hearts and minds against the "poison" of sin and false teachings.

The cup-bearer's close relationship with the king also serves as a reminder of the intimate relationship believers are invited to have with God. Through prayer and faithful service, Christians can draw near to the King of Kings, seeking His guidance and favor in their lives.An officer of high rank with Egyptian, Persian, Assyrian, and Jewish monarchs. The cup-bearer of the king of Egypt is mentioned in connection with Joseph's history (Genesis 40:1-21; 41:9). Rabshakeh (q.v.) was cup-bearer in the Assyrian court (2 Kings 18:17). Nehemiah filled this office to the king of Persia (Nehemiah 1:11). We read also of Solomon's cup-bearers (1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chronicles 9:4). 4945a. mashqeh -- butler, cupbearer
... 4945, 4945a. mashqeh. 4945b . butler, cupbearer. Transliteration: mashqeh
Short Definition: cupbearer. Word Origin from shaqah Definition ...
/hebrew/4945a.htm - 5k

4945. mashqeh -- butler, cupbearer
... butler, cupbearer. Transliteration: mashqeh Phonetic Spelling: (mash-keh') Short
Definition: butler. butlership, cupbearer, drinking, fat pasture, watered ...
/hebrew/4945.htm - 5k

What Things Befell Joseph in Prison.
... as are equal sufferers, and to inquire one of another what were the occasions of
their being condemned to a prison: among them the king's cupbearer, and one ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 what things befell.htm

"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... It was Nechutes. The cup-bearer took but a single glance at Kenkenes and started
back. ... The cup-bearer's face showed compassion even in the dusk. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliii the pharaoh drew.htm

The visit to Media.
... Habits of Cyrus."Horsemanship among the Persians."Cyrus learns to ride."His
delights."Amusements with the boys."The cup-bearer."The entertainment ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iii the visit to.htm

Nehemiah, the Praying Builder
... those years. He was a captive in Babylon, and had an important position
in the palace of the king to whom he was cup bearer. There ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/viii nehemiah the praying builder.htm

The Church and Social Evils
... the travellers had a brother, a youth named Nehemiah, who was a cup-bearer in the ...
My text tells how the young cupbearer was affected by the tidings, and how he ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the church and social evils.htm

The Prophet Nehemiah
... He was in the court of Artaxerxes, a cupbearer to the king, and held a high position.
Yet he longed to hear from his native land. ... THE CONVERTED CUPBEARER,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/iv the prophet nehemiah.htm

The Story of Joseph
... There were two of Pharaoh's servants in the prison"one, the king's cup-bearer, and
the other his chief baker, and both these were sorely troubled one night ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

A Reformer's Schooling
... For I was the king's cupbearer.'"Nehemiah 1:1-11. ... We can think of this youthful
cup-bearer as yearning for one glimpse of the 'mountains round about Jerusalem ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a reformers schooling.htm

A Man of Opportunity
... and honor in the Persian court. As cupbearer to the king he was admitted
freely to the royal presence. By virtue of his position ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 52 a man of.htm

The Parthians Bring Antigonus Back into Judea, and Cast Hyrcanus ...
... would not receive Pacorus, although those of Ptolemais and Sidon had received him;
so he committed a troop of his horse to a certain cup-bearer belonging to ...
/.../chapter 13 the parthians bring.htm

Cupbearer (10 Occurrences)
... The cup-bearer of the king of Egypt is mentioned in connection with Joseph's history
(Genesis 40:1-21; 41:9). Rabshakeh (qv) was cup-bearer in the ...CUPBEARER. ...
/c/cupbearer.htm - 12k

Cup-bearer (5 Occurrences)
Cup-bearer. Cupbearer, Cup-bearer. Cupbearers . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(WBS). Cupbearer, Cup-bearer. Cupbearers . Reference Bible.
/c/cup-bearer.htm - 8k

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... his youth was appointed to the important office of royal cup-bearer at the ... nechemyah,
"comforted of Yah"): 1. Family 2. Youth 3. King's Cupbearer 4. Governor ...
/n/nehemiah.htm - 24k

Baker (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 40:2 Pharaoh was angry with
his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. ...
/b/baker.htm - 9k

Pharaoh's (72 Occurrences)
... office. You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you
were his cupbearer. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/pharaoh's.htm - 31k

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)
... Chief of the princes, the name given to the chief cup-bearer or the vizier of ... The
second part, which in the Aramaic, probably meant "cupbearer," had in this ...
/r/rabshakeh.htm - 14k

Butler (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5; 2 Chronicles 9:4). Nehemiah (1:11) was cup-bearer to king ... one who gives
drink" (Genesis 40:1-23; Genesis 41:9), rendered "cupbearer" in 1 Kings 10 ...
/b/butler.htm - 11k

Office (64 Occurrences)
... you did when you were his cupbearer. (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV). Genesis 40:21 And he
restored the chief of the cup-bearers to his office of cup-bearer again; and he ...
/o/office.htm - 30k

Cup (86 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position again, and he gave
the cup into Pharaoh's hand; (Root in WEB KJV ... Now I was cupbearer to the king ...
/c/cup.htm - 41k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 40:2 Pharaoh was angry
with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

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