from קָבַע; a goblet (as deep like a cover); dregs.
Transliteration:qubbaʻath
Pronunciation:koob-bah'-ath
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H6907 (קֻבַּעַת, *qubbaʻath*) is a noun derived from the verb `{{H6906}}` (קָבַע, *qābaʿ*), which signifies "to fix, settle, or establish." This etymological root provides insight into the semantic range of qubbaʻath. While the base definition includes "a goblet (as deep like a cover)," its more prominent and consistent biblical usage points to "dregs" or "sediment." The connection to the root `{{H6906}}` suggests something that is "fixed" or "settled" at the bottom of a vessel, hence the residue or dregs. Thus, qubbaʻath denotes the thick, bitter, and undesirable sediment that collects at the very bottom of a cup or goblet, representing the most concentrated and unpalatable part of its contents.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H6907 appears exclusively in the book of Isaiah, specifically in two powerful prophetic passages: [[Isaiah 51:17]] and [[Isaiah 51:22]]. In both instances, qubbaʻath is used in construct with "cup" (כּוֹס, `{{H3563}}`), forming the phrase "dregs of the cup" (קֻבַּעַת כּוֹס).
In [[Isaiah 51:17]], Jerusalem is exhorted to "Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out." Here, the "cup of trembling" (כּוֹס הַתַּרְעֵלָה) symbolizes God's severe judgment and the resultant suffering experienced by His people. The addition of "dregs" (qubbaʻath) intensifies the imagery, signifying that Jerusalem has not merely sipped from this cup, but has drained it completely, down to the most bitter and nauseating sediment. This emphasizes the depth and totality of the divine chastisement.
Similarly, in [[Isaiah 51:22]], the LORD declares, "Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again." This verse offers a profound reversal of the previous state. God, in His mercy, promises to remove the very instrument of His wrath from His people's hand. The explicit mention of "the dregs of the cup of my fury" underscores that God is taking away not just the initial draught, but the entirety of the judgment, including its most bitter and enduring effects. The promise "thou shalt no more drink it again" signifies a complete and lasting deliverance from suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical relationship for H6907 is with its root verb, `{{H6906}}` (קָבַע, *qābaʿ*), which conveys the idea of fixation or settling. This connection highlights how the "dregs" are the settled, fixed residue at the bottom of a vessel.
The concept of a "cup" (כּוֹס, `{{H3563}}`) as a metaphor for divine judgment, wrath, or destiny is prevalent throughout biblical literature (e.g., [[Psalm 75:8]], [[Jeremiah 25:15]], [[Ezekiel 23:31-34]]). qubbaʻath specifically refers to the *dregs* of such a cup, thereby intensifying the metaphor to denote the most severe and complete experience of that judgment.
Other related concepts include:
* **Sediment/Residue:** The physical nature of dregs as the undesirable remnants of a liquid.
* **Bitterness/Suffering:** The emotional and spiritual experience associated with drinking the dregs of a cup of wrath.
* **Divine Justice:** The righteous outpouring of God's judgment upon sin.
* **Divine Deliverance:** The removal of this cup of judgment, signifying restoration and salvation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6907 is deeply embedded in its metaphorical use within Isaiah 51. The "dregs of the cup" serve as a potent symbol of the full measure of divine judgment and the profound suffering it entails for those who bear it. It is not merely a partial or superficial experience of wrath, but one that is endured to its most bitter and concentrated end. This imagery underscores the severity of God's righteous indignation against sin, particularly the idolatry and unfaithfulness of Jerusalem.
However, the passage culminates in a powerful declaration of God's redemptive plan. The removal of "the dregs of the cup" from Jerusalem's hand signifies God's complete and merciful intervention. It illustrates that God's judgment, while severe, is not eternal for His chosen people. He not only delivers them from the immediate effects of wrath but also from its lingering, most unpleasant consequences. This act of removal is a testament to God's covenant faithfulness and His ultimate desire for the restoration and comfort of His people. The transfer of this cup to those who afflicted Jerusalem (cf. [[Isaiah 51:23]]) further emphasizes God's justice and His role as the ultimate arbiter of destiny.
### Summary
H6907 (קֻבַּעַת, *qubbaʻath*) denotes the "dregs" or "sediment" found at the bottom of a cup, stemming from a root meaning "to fix" or "settle." Its sole biblical occurrences in [[Isaiah 51:17]] and [[Isaiah 51:22]] are profoundly significant. In these passages, qubbaʻath consistently describes the "dregs of the cup of trembling" or "fury," symbolizing the full, bitter, and utterly consumed measure of God's judgment upon Jerusalem. The word emphasizes the complete experience of divine chastisement. Theologically, qubbaʻath highlights both the severity of God's righteous wrath and, crucially, His ultimate and complete deliverance, as He takes away the cup of suffering, including its most bitter remnants, from His people, promising they will drink it no more.
TRV