BLESSING

(berakhah; eulogia): Sometimes means the form of words used in invoking the bestowal of good, as in Deuteronomy 33:1 Joshua 8:34; and James 3:10. Sometimes it means the good or the benefit itself which has been conferred, as in Genesis 27:36, "Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?" and Proverbs 10:22, "The blessing of Yahweh, it maketh rich." "The cup of blessing" (to poterion tes eulogias, a special use of the word in 1 Corinthians 10:16), means the cup for which we bless God, or which represents to us so much blessing from God.

James M. Gray

BLESSING, CUP OF

(to poterion tes eulogias, "the consecrated cup," 1 Corinthians 10:16): A technical term from the Jewish liturgy transferred to the Lord's Supper, and signifying the cup of wine upon which a blessing was pronounced. The suggestion that it carries with it a higher significance, as a cup that brings blessing, is not without force. The succeeding words, "we bless," are equivalent to "for which we give thanks." It was consecrated by thanksgiving and prayer.

See also CUP.

SPIRITUAL BLESSING

(eulogia pneumatike): Any blessing administered in the realm of the spiritual life; specifically the blessing of the Spirit in introducing the believer into "the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3); a term expressing the fullness of blessing in God's gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ.

BLESSING, VALLEY OF

See BERACAH.