Psalms 23:5 Your cup makes me drunk

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

The KJV (King James Version) says "my cup runneth over" which is usually taken to mean that one has more than enough of what is needed. The meaning of the verse may be something different.
When my cup runneth over, I have to cleanneth it up.

The LXX (Septuagint) has something that appears quite different and addresses the "cup" as "you" or the cup as someone else's cup.

More: The number seventy and the Septuagint

More: Psalms 23:1-6 A valley of shadows and darkness

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

When "your" "cup" "runneth" over, you are not really getting exercise. Here are some ways to get exercise.

Run your mouth.

Jump to conclusions.

Take leaps of faith.

Push your luck.

Carry things too far.

Dodge responsibilities.

Exercise restraint.

You get the idea. There are many sayings that use exercise terminology but are not actually about physical exercise.

Sometimes justifying your actions with Bible verses does not work.

Matthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [kjv]

φαρισαιε τυφλε καθαρισον πρωτον το εντος του ποτηριου και της παροψιδος ινα γενηται και το εκτος αυτου καθαρον [gnt]

A bowl is somewhat like a cup. When washing dishes after making pancakes (using ground grain flour) the bowel may have dried flour on it. I have been told that although the inside of the cup is clean, the outside of the cup has gritty grain on it which is unacceptable.

I tried using the above verses to justify thoroughly cleaning the inside of the cup and not fully cleaning the outside of the bowl, but that analogy was not accepted. How can we wash the inside to be "white as snow"?

More: Song: Are you washed in the blood?

More: Song: What can wash away my sin

More: Song: Jesus paid it all

More: Matthew 23:25-26 Cleaning the cup and bowl

English: Again, Is what the learner learns that which he learns? A man learns a slow march quick; it is not then what he learns that is meant but how he learns it. Again, Does a man trample on that through which he walks? But he walks through the whole day. Was not what was meant not what he walks through but when he walks? Just as when we talk of a man drinking a cup, we refer not to what he drinks but to that out of which he drinks. (Loeb#100, p. 115-117)

Greek: Καὶ "Ἆρ´ ὃ μανθάνει ὁ μανθάνων, τοῦτ´ ἔστιν ὃ μανθάνει; μανθάνει δέ τις τὸ βραδὺ ταχύ. " Οὐ τοίνυν ὃ μανθάνει ἀλλ´ ὡς μανθάνει εἴρηκεν. Καὶ "Ἆρ´ ὃ βαδίζει τις πατεῖ; βαδίζει δὲ τὴν ἡμέραν ὅλην. " Ἢ οὐχ ὃ βαδίζει ἀλλ´ ὅτε βαδίζει εἴρηκεν, οὐδὲ τὸ τὴν κύλικα πίνειν ὃ πίνει ἀλλ´ ἐξ οὗ. Aristotle: Sophistic Refutations [189a]

I had a funny hot coffee cup joke but I was told to put a lid on it.

More: Aristotle

Psalms 23:5

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KJV: Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Hebrew: תערך לפני שלחן נגד צררי דשנת בשמן ראשי כוסי רויה׃

Greek: ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον

Latin: pones coram me mensam ex adverso hostium meorum inpinguasti oleo caput meum calix meus inebrians

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

… כוסירויה [he]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

… calix … inebrians [v]

The Latin word "calix" ≈ "cup" is from the ancient Greek word "κάλυς" ≈ "cup" and is the source of the English word "chalice".
The Latin word "inebrians" ≈ "intoxicating" and is the source of the English word "inebriated".

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

… כוסירויה [he]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

*H3563 כּוֹס (koce) : from an unused root meaning to hold together; a cup (as a container), often figuratively, a lot (as if a potion); also some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye):--cup, (small) owl. Compare H3599.

The Hebrew word "כוסי" (ko-w-si) ≈ "my cup".

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

… כוסירויה [he]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

*H7310 רְוָיָה (rev-aw-yaw') : from H7301; satisfaction:--runneth over, wealthy.

The Hebrew word "רויה" (re-wa-yah) ≈ "runs over".

A diminutive is a word that as based on another word and refers to a smaller instance of whatever that word means. Most languages have some way to create diminutive words from a word.

One way to create a diminutive word in Greek is to appropriately add the "-ιον" suffix to a word.

More: Diminutives

Matthew 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; [kjv]

και λαβων ποτηριον και ευχαριστησας εδωκεν αυτοις λεγων πιετε εξ αυτου παντες [gnt]

et accipiens calicem gratias egit et dedit illis dicens bibite ex hoc omnes [v]

The Greek word translated as "took" is often translated as "received".

More: Matthew 26:17-29 Betrayal of the Last Supper tradition

*G4221 *31 ποτήριον (pot-ay'-ree-on) : neuter of a derivative of the alternate of G4095; a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e. a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate:--cup.

Words: ποτηριον=24 ποτηριου=4 ποτηριω=2 ποτηριων

The ancient Greek word "ποτήριον" ≈ "cup" as a diminutive of the ancient Greek word "ποτήρ" ≈ "cup" and from the ancient Greek word "πίνω" ≈ "drink". It is the source of the English word "pottery".

*G3184 *6 μεθύω (meth-oo'-o) : from another form of G3178; to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk:--drink well, make (be) drunk(-en).

Words: μεθυει μεθυοντων=1 μεθυουσαν μεθυουσιν=2 μεθυσθωσιν

The ancient Greek word "μεθυσηωσιν" ≈ "they might have drunk freely".

The ancient Greek word "μεθύω" ≈ "to get drunk" from the ancient Greek word "μέθη" ≈ "wine" which goes back to the PIE (Proto Indo-European) root "MEDU" ≈ "honey, mead" with cognate words in many other languages.

The Russian word "медведь" (med-ved) ≈ "bear" and means, literally, "honey eater".

More: Bears

*G3184 *6 μεθύω (meth-oo'-o) : from another form of G3178; to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk:--drink well, make (be) drunk(-en).

Usage

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μεθυουσιν *2

Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye ...
1 Thessalonians 5:7 ... in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

μεθυοντων

Matthew 24:49 ... and drink with the drunken;

μεθυσθωσιν

John 2:10 ... wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou ...

μεθυει

1 Corinthians 11:21 ... is hungry, and another is drunken.

μεθυουσαν

Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, ...

More: Matthew 24:43-51 Parable of the evil servant

John 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. [kjv]

και λεγει αυτω πας ανθρωπος πρωτον τον καλον οινον τιθησιν και οταν μεθυσθωσιν τον ελασσω συ τετηρηκας τον καλον οινον εως αρτι [gnt]

… inebriati … [v]

The ancient Greek word "μεθυσηωσιν" ≈ "they might have drunk freely".

The ancient Greek word "μεθύω" ≈ "to get drunk" from the ancient Greek word "μέθη" ≈ "wine" which goes back to the PIE root "MEDU" ≈ "honey, mead" with cognate words in many other languages.

The Russian word "медведь" (med-ved) ≈ "bear" and means, literally, "honey eater".

More: Bears

John 2:10

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KJV: And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

Hebrew: ויאמר אליו כל איש יתן בראשונה את היין הטוב וכאשר ישכרו יתן להם את הגרוע ואתה צפנת היין הטוב עד עתה׃

Greek: και λεγει αυτω πας ανθρωπος πρωτον τον καλον οινον τιθησιν και οταν μεθυσθωσιν τοτε τον ελασσω συ τετηρηκας τον καλον οινον εως αρτι

Latin: et dicit ei omnis homo primum bonum vinum ponit et cum inebriati fuerint tunc id quod deterius est tu servasti bonum vinum usque adhuc

Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. [kjv]

ου γαρ ως υμεις υπολαμβανετε ουτοι μεθυουσιν εστιν γαρ ωρα τριτη της ημερας [gnt]

non enim sicut vos aestimatis hii ebrii sunt cum sit hora diei tertia [v]

We see the word for "drink" used at Pentecost. The Latin word "ebrius" ≈ "drunk, intoxicated" and is the source of the English word "inebriate".

Acts 2:15

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KJV: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

Greek: ου γαρ ως υμεις υπολαμβανετε ουτοι μεθυουσιν εστιν γαρ ωρα τριτη της ημερας

Latin: non enim sicut vos aestimatis hii ebrii sunt cum sit hora diei tertia

Wycliffe: For not as ye wenen, these ben dronkun, whanne it is the thridde our of the dai;

Tyndale: These are not dronken as ye suppose: for it is yet but the thyrde houre of ye daye.

Luther: Denn diese sind nicht trunken, wie ihr wähnet, sintemal es ist die dritte Stunde am Tage.

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

… כוסירויה [he]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

The ancient Greek word "κράτιστε" ≈ "most excellent" and is sometimes translated in the KJV as "noble".

This word is used in the LXX but does not appear in the Hebrew or KJV (based on the Hebrew).

*G2903 *4 κράτιστος (krat'-is-tos) : superlative of a derivative of G2904; strongest, i.e. (in dignity) very honorable:--most excellent (noble).

Words: κρατιστε=3 κρατιστω

The ancient Greek word "κράτιστε" ≈ "most excellent" and is sometimes translated in the KJV as "noble".

The ancient Greek word "κρᾶσις" ≈ "mixing, blending, combining" and is the source of the modern Greek word "κρασί" (kra-SEE) ≈ "wine" due to the "mixing" and "blending" nature of how the wine was produced.

Mark 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. [kjv]

και εδιδουν αυτω εσμυρνισμενον οινον ο ος δε ουκ ελαβεν [gnt]

… vinum … accepit [v]

A common use of "grapes", that grow on a vine, is to make "wine".

Wine can be made from many types of fruit. When I was growing up, a wayfaring person near our farm used to make dandelion wine.

At the crucifixion, Jesus is provided wine to drink, but he did not receive it.

The Greek word translated as "received" is that of "took".

More: A grape way to whine about wine

*G2903 *4 κράτιστος (krat'-is-tos) : superlative of a derivative of G2904; strongest, i.e. (in dignity) very honorable:--most excellent (noble).

Usage

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κρατιστε *3

Luke 1:3 ... to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
Acts 24:3 ... always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
Acts 26:25 ... I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth ...

κρατιστω

Acts 23:26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, [kjv]

εδοξεν καμοι παρηκολουθηκοτι ανωθεν πασιν ακριβως καθεξης σοι γραψαι κρατιστε θεοφιλε [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "κράτιστε" ≈ "most excellent" and is sometimes translated in the KJV as "noble".

Luke 1:3

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KJV: It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

Greek: εδοξεν καμοι παρηκολουθηκοτι ανωθεν πασιν ακριβως καθεξης σοι γραψαι κρατιστε θεοφιλε

Latin: visum est et mihi adsecuto a principio omnibus diligenter ex ordine tibi scribere optime Theophile

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

… כוסירויה [he]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

An interesting part of the LXX in this verse is the ancient Greek word "σου" ≈ "you" as in something like the following.

... your cup inebriates me excellently.
... the cup, you inebriates me excellently.

That is, the cup appears to be addressed as "you" as if one can talk to the cup or it might be someone else's cup - such as a cup of the enemy (or enemies).

Here are some translations that are based on the LXX (or different from the traditional translations).

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

… כוסירויה [he]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

The Brenton Septuagint has the following translation.

Thou has prepared a table before me in presence of them that afflict me: thou hast thoroughly anointed my head with oil; and thy cup cheers me like the best wine.

The "thy" in "thy" "cup" fits the Greek "you". Whose "cup" might it be?

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

… כוסירויה [he]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

The Douay-Rheims has the following translation.

Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [kjv]

… כוסירויה [he]

ητοιμασας ενωπιον μου τραπεζαν εξ εναντιας των θλιβοντων με ελιπανας εν ελαιω την κεφαλην μου και το ποτηριον σου μεθυσκον ως κρατιστον [lxx]

The Aramaic Bible in Plain English has the following translation.

You have prepared tables in front of me opposite my enemies; you have anointed my head with oil and my cup overflows as if it were alive.

It is not clear if this might be a Hebrew idiom or a Greek idiom.

More: Idioms and meaning

Matthew 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; [kjv]

και αρξηται τυπτειν τους συνδουλους αυτου εσθιη δε και πινη μετα των μεθυοντων [gnt]

"μεθυόντων" ≈ "drunken".
"μεθόδων" ≈ "following after, pursuit, trick, ruse" and the source of the English word "method".

Greek: ... and to eat and drink after the drunken.
Play: ... and to eat and drink after the trick/ruse.

To chemists, alcohol is not a problem. It is a solution!

More: Matthew 24:43-51 Parable of the evil servant

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [kjv]

μη θησαυριζετε υμιν θησαυρους επι της γης οπου σης και βρωσις αφανιζει και οπου κλεπται διορυσσουσιν και κλεπτουσιν [gnt]

"μη" ≈ "not" and "θησαυρός" ≈ "treasure" and "ῥίζα" ≈ "root".
"μῦθος" ≈ "story, myth" or "μῦθοι" ≈ "myths" and "σαῦρος" ≈ "lizard".

Greek: μη θησαυριζετε ...
Play: μυθης σαυριζετε ...

English: do not treasurize for yourself treasure on earth ...
Play: myths (that you can) serpantize [root] for yourself treasure [of serpents] on earth ...

"μέθης" ≈ "strong drink, drunkenness" (genitive singular) from "μέθη" ≈ "strong drink, drunkenness" [drunk with the blood of the saints]

More: Mythical stories about history

More: Matthew 6:19-21: A treasury of treasures of which to treasure