קֻבַּעַת

From the study of Isaiah 51:17

Range of meaning

This word appears only in Isa 51:17 and 51:22. Modern lexicons (HALOT and others) take it as a goblet or bowl-shaped cup, probably a loanword related to Akkadian qabūtu, 'cup, bowl.' BDB also gives 'cup, bowl.'

Against the English

KJV has 'the dregs of the cup' and BSB has 'drained the goblet to the dregs.' WEB ('the bowl of the cup'), YLT ('the goblet') and ESV ('the bowl') render the noun as a vessel.

How it drifted

Interpreters before Akkadian was known had to guess at the rare word. The Vulgate's wording ('to the bottom of the cup… to the dregs') and some early Jewish explanation took it as the sediment at the bottom. KJV's 'dregs' comes from that tradition.

Used elsewhere in the period

In v.22 God says 'I have taken from your hand… the qubbaʿat of the cup of my wrath.' A thing taken out of someone's hand is a vessel, not sediment, which supports 'goblet.' The Greek Septuagint seems to render it with kondy, a word for a drinking cup.

From the study of Isaiah 51:22

Range of meaning

A rare word, occurring only in Isa 51:17 and 51:22. Modern lexicons (HALOT, and BDB tentatively) take it as a cup, goblet or bowl. It may be a foreign loanword for a drinking vessel; its exact origin is uncertain.

Against the English

KJV "the dregs of the cup" treats it as the sediment at the bottom. BSB "goblet", WEB/ESV "bowl" and YLT "goblet" treat it as the vessel.

How it drifted

"Dregs" seems to come from interpretive tradition. The Latin Vulgate in v. 17 adds that Zion drank "to the dregs" (usque ad faeces), and older Jewish and Christian interpreters guessed at the rare word from context. Strong's dictionary, which follows the KJV, therefore glosses it "dreg."

Used elsewhere in the period

No other biblical use. The doubled phrase "qubbaʿat kôs" (goblet-cup) in v. 17, together with "you drank, you drained," suggests a large vessel emptied to the bottom. Translators who see "dregs" here are reading the idea of draining into the noun.