WORD STUDY: THIS CUP – הכא כס Hei Kap Aleph Kap Samek Aleph
Matthew 26:39: “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
I recently read where our American soldiers, particularly the Marines and special forces who are called upon for special missions often make an agreement before going on a mission that if they get surrounded and into a hopeless situation, they agree to fight until they are eventually killed. History is filled with brave men and women who give up their lives to protect the ones they love without a murmur or complaint. History is filled with Christians who went to their deaths for the sake of Jesus without a plea on their lips to be spared, some even went facing great torture with joy and praise to the God they love.
Then we have this story of Jesus apparently asking the Father to remove this cup from Him and then finally resigning Himself to His fate. Somehow I just have a problem with Jesus being so fearful that He is calling on His heavenly Father to pull Him out and spare him from this torture and death. It is all because we interpret the cup to mean His coming torture and death. But is that what this cup represented? Just what is the cup? I had been taught, even as a child, that this was the greatest lesson in obedience. Here Jesus is facing torture and death and is struggling against the will of his Father, not wanting to give up his life, but in the end, he submits and voluntarily gives up to the torture and death that awaits him saying: “Not my will but thine be done.” Maybe you are ok with that, I am not, I want the cup to mean something different. So I will let you decide if my interpretation here is just a bias opinion or not.
If God is perfect in love and loves us with this perfect love, why did He hesitate to go to the cross as this passage suggests? Did He really have this time of indecision, worried about His own gizzard? Many parents have watched their child desperately ill and dying and have prayed to God that he or she could trade places with that child, let the child live and they would die. They actually beg God for this. Then there is Jesus who is supposed to love us with perfect love to save us who are dying in our sins and he hesitates. No, no, no, that is not my Jesus. I’ve spent 40 years of my life studying Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic so I could come to some peace over passages such as this one. So you will have to forgive me if I happen to read my own bias into this passage.
Jesus spoke an Old Galilean form of Aramaic (not Greek). When we read from the Aramaic version of the Bible, the Peshitta I come up with a little different rendering. First and foremost is the use of the word that is used for cup in Aramaic which is the word kasa. It is identical to the Hebrew word kavas which is also the word found in other Semitic languages that are used for a stork. The stork was noted for its tender loving care of its young. Even care for young not its own. Legend has it that during the time of famine a mother stork will peck her breast till it bleeds and feed her young with her own blood. Legend also teaches that if one of the stork’s chicks died, the mother stork would resurrect its young with its own blood. This is the same word Jesus used at the last supper when He said that this cup (not this wine) is my blood. In other words, this nurturing love is my blood. The Semitic mindset of the disciples would have allowed them to see a little play on words in this context. It would be his blood that would resurrect us and restore us to a rightful position with God, but it would be bloodshed out of deep love and nurturing.
In the garden, Jesus is praying that this kasa (cup, nurturing love) would pass from Him. In Greek, the word pass is parelthato which means to avert, avoid, or pass over. But if this word for pass was spoken in Aramaic and later translated into Greek, it is possible the Aramaic might be closer to what Jesus said which was the word avar that is used in the Peshitta. Now avar in Aramaic is the same word in Hebrew and has a wide range of meanings. The word itself is the picture of a river overflowing onto its banks. You could say that it is passing over, but it more correctly it would be overwhelming. Yes, the human part of Jesus was not looking forward to the coming torture and pain but Jesus was not praying to get out of this situation but it was this cup or this nurturing, sacrificial love for us that so overwhelmed him that He could not bear it, just as a parent watching their child suffering and dying in a hospital bed cannot bear to watch the love of their life in such torment.
Note in verse 37 it says he became sorrowful. That word sorrowful in the Aramaic is kamar which means to burn or kindle and is used for a burning love or compassion. As Jesus was about to make the sacrifice of His own life His entire being was filled with burning love and compassion for mankind. He would be filled over such sorrow knowing that even though He was making this supreme sacrifice there would still be millions upon millions who would not only reject His sacrifice but scorn it and mock it as well.
Thank you so much, Laura, for sharing your interpretation, your understanding, of the words behind our English translations. This has made yet another verse in the Bible a beautiful telling of God’s unfathomable love for us.
“The Semitic mindset of the disciples would have allowed them to see a little play on words in this context.” I’m fascinated with “figures of speech”. Our English language just misses most of them in the Bible, especially play on word(s). In Gen. 3:24 the flaming sword is a play on a word for Cherubim. In the Gen. 3:24 post you also pointed out an acronym for the Garden of Eden. Acronyms do not translate. Job 1:9-10 another play on two root words is possible with sakath and savak. Without your insights we would totally miss theses of figures of speech in the Bible. Thank you for revealing these hidden gems of the original languages.
You have brought me to tears and enriched my already overwhelmed realization that his love is deeper than I can imagine.
I’m not a scholar or theologian but this is my belief. Jesus was, and is, One with the Father and the Holy Spirit through all eternity, the Trinitarian God. When Jesus became incarnate and lived on earth as a man, He was sinless, always in communion with His Father. The presence and love between them was unbroken. On that Good Friday night, as He prayed in the garden, He knew the cost of our salvation, of drinking that cup: He would experience loss of relationship with His Father at that moment when He took our sin upon Himself on the cross. And I think the grief of knowing He would be cut off from His Father is what caused Him to ask if the cup could be taken from Him. But in His complete obedience and humility, He also prayed, “nevertheless not as I will, but as You will.” Thanks be to God!
Thank you so much for your insightful rendering. I attend a Hebrew-roots gathering and I love the way they “open up” the bible for me by offering different meanings of some words which changes the meaning altogether. The exact same thing you did here. I read, learn, and grow from you every day. Be Blessed as you Bless others.
Very well said, I never thought about the cup-vs-the wine, That is very deep and beautiful.
Watchman Nee in one of his books came to the same conclusion .
I believe your interpretation aligns with Heb 12:2 for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.
To me, your interpretion fits the nature and character of Christ (as seen in his heart of love for people throughout the Bible), and makes this scripture really take on a life of its own.
Thank you for sharing!!!
This is so beautiful. Last night during my Maundy Thursday sermon, I mentioned that even though Jesus cried out, he was still in control. God is always in control. Knowing that statement would lead hearers to think, “But what about….” I said, “There’s more that thought, but that’s another sermon.” This is that other sermon! So, thank you! I’ve never heard this before but it makes so much sense – cup – love – sorry – sacrifice – overwhelming passion!
Blessed Good Friday to you! And thank you so much
Amy
Thank you so much for sharing the word of God. You have given me a much deeper understanding of God’s word..I’m so grateful..Thank you and God bless you, Jo
I am blown away
This is a beautiful interpretation Chaim Bentorah.
Thank you. Most interesting and very very plausible. I genuinely look forward to your interpretations. They always allow me to venturer further into Gods maze.
Thanks so much! I’ve always had a problem with that standard rendition in most Bibles, for the same reason you stated. I’ve always thought I was missing something, so I just moved on and pondered in my heart about what Jesus was truly trying to get across to us. Knowing how much Jesus loves us, the Aramaic words you explained makes so much more sense. Knowing that in spite of all the love and sacrifice he was making for us, His heart was breaking knowing that so many people would still reject Him and lose their hope of salvation for all eternity. No wonder He was in such agony.
This is so powerful and true of our savior. Your translation is the one that fits our savior.
Oh thank you for this!! What a beautiful and “right fit” to describe His love and sacrifice in this context. Once again – “the heart of God”! God has certainly given you a “heart that beats close to His” and the gift and ability to express it to draw us close to Him! Thanks you for being willing to use His gift to glorify Him – and equip us!! I am presently working through your book – Hebrew Word Studies “Revealing the Heart of God.” What a treasure! Have passed on several to others as well as your website. Just “discovered” you before Christmas – and now it is full steam ahead in study.
I am a former public school teacher of children and now a career missionary working with BCM International (Canada) teaching Bible to children in churches (and formerly right in the schoolsl in Ontario, Canada), as well as training/teaching others in churches and Christian school in Christian Education here in Canada for many years. I need all the help and insight into the Word I can get in order to equip myself in simply getting the message to boys and girls. Thanks for your faithfulness in this ministry. WHat an outreach you have!!
Omg wow that is incredible
And I can trust you’ve done your research
I fully agree even though this is new revelation to me
This DOES fit PERFECTLY with the character and nature of God
He is overwhelmed with passion and eagerly steps in to save His creation with His own BLOOD
I love this ❣️
I wish I could share your revelation on Facebook
You can Lisa : ) I have uploaded this devotion to our FaceBook page where you can share. We actually would appreciate that very much as we are a small ministry growing only by word of mouth. Blessings, Laura
Thank you, this really spoke to my heart!❤