כּוֹס (kos)
kos
cup; owl
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kos carries two distinct meanings that depend entirely on context: it refers to either a drinking vessel or a specific type of owl. As a cup, it denotes a container for liquid, appearing in various settings throughout the Old Testament. The sources note its presence in Genesis and Psalms, where it functions as a standard object in daily life or poetic imagery.
The second meaning identifies kos as a kind of owl, classified among unclean birds in Levitical law. This usage is particularly prominent in Jeremiah, where the word helps describe desolation and abandoned places. The presence of these birds signals that a once-inhabited area has become wild and empty, reinforcing themes of judgment and ruin found in the prophetic texts.
Translators must carefully distinguish between these two senses to avoid confusion. While the spelling is identical, the semantic fields are unrelated. One sense relates to human consumption and ritual, while the other connects to wilderness and impurity. Recognizing this duality allows readers to appreciate how the same word can evoke both the intimacy of a shared meal and the stark silence of a deserted landscape.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kos appears in Scripture with two very different meanings: a drinking vessel or an owl. When it refers to a cup, it often carries deep spiritual weight. In Psalm 23, David speaks of a cup that runs over, symbolizing God’s abundant provision and care even when enemies are near. This image reminds us that our portion is secure in the Lord, who prepares a table for us with honor and peace.
However, the same word can also represent judgment. In Jeremiah, prophets describe a cup of wrath that nations must drink. This stark contrast shows that while God’s discipline is real, His ultimate desire is restoration. Isaiah 51:22 offers hope by stating that God has removed the cup of staggering from Jerusalem’s hand. The imagery invites us to trust in His justice and mercy.
When kos refers to an owl, it signals desolation and abandonment. These birds inhabit ruined places where people once lived. This usage highlights the seriousness of turning away from God, yet it also underscores the value of community and faithfulness. By understanding these dual meanings, we gain a richer view of how Scripture uses everyday objects to teach profound truths about our relationship with the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] cup of8×
- the/ cup5×
- a cup3×
- the/ little owl2×
- a cup of2×
- in the/ cup1×
- cup/ their1×
- cup/ my1×
- and/ from/ cup/ his1×
- and/ cups1×
- and/ cup/ my1×
- and/ [the] cup of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כּ֣וֹס5×
- הַ/כּ֥וֹס3×
- הַ/כּ֖וֹס3×
- כּוֹס\־2×
- כּ֔וֹס2×
- כוֹס\־1×
- כּוֹסָֽ/ם\׃1×
- כּוֹסִ֥/י1×
- כּ֨וֹס1×
- כּ֧וֹס1×
- כּ֚וֹס1×
- כּ֖וֹס1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 23:5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.
This verse uses the cup as a metaphor for God’s abundant blessing and protection, showing that His provision exceeds our needs even in hostile circumstances.
-
Jeremiah 25:15
For Yahweh, the God of Israel, says to me: “Take this cup of the wine of wrath from my hand, and cause all the nations to whom I send you to drink it.
Here the cup represents divine judgment, illustrating how God uses this object to convey the seriousness of sin and the inevitability of accountability.
-
Isaiah 51:22
Your Lord Yahweh, your God who pleads the cause of his people, says, “Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl of the cup of my wrath. You will not drink it any more.
God declares He has removed the cup of wrath from His people’s hand, offering a powerful image of deliverance and relief from punishment.
-
Genesis 40:11
Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”
This narrative reference grounds the word in daily life, showing how ordinary objects like cups were integral to social roles and trust within ancient households.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word kos mean?
Why is the cup mentioned in Psalm 23 significant?
How does the cup relate to judgment in Jeremiah?
What does the owl meaning of kos imply?
Every Occurrence (24 verses across 12 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into…
Genesis 40:13Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup…
Genesis 40:21He restored the chief cup bearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand;