The four cups of Passover are an integral part of the Passover celebration. They stand for each of the four promises the Lord makes to His people in Exodus 6:6-7.

The Cup of Sanctification

“I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”

The Cup of Deliverance

“I will rescue you from their bondage.”

The Cup of Redemption

“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”

The Cup of Praise

“I will take you as My people.”

The Four Cups of Passover are an integral part of the Seder, representing the four expressions of redemption promised by God in Exodus 6:6-7: Sanctification, Deliverance, Redemption, and Praise. Consumed at specific times, they symbolize God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, rescuing, redeeming, and taking them as His people. chosenpeople.com +2

The Four Cups and Their Meanings

• 1. The Cup of Sanctification (Kiddush): Begins the Seder, sanctifying the holy night and representing God’s promise, “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians”.
• 2. The Cup of Deliverance (Plagues/Maggid): Drunk after reciting the Haggadah (Exodus story), representing “I will rescue you from their bondage”. Sometimes known as the cup of plagues, it recalls God’s power over Egypt.
• 3. The Cup of Redemption (Blessing): Drunk after the grace after meals, symbolizing “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm”. This is frequently considered the cup Jesus shared at the Last Supper, notes this YouTube video.
• 4. The Cup of Praise (Hallel): Accompanies the singing of the Hallel (Psalms of praise) and the completion of the Seder, representing “I will take you as My people”. Some traditions use this as the cup of Elijah. chosenpeople.com +5

Purpose and Significance

• Divine Promises: The cups are rooted in the four “I WILL” statements in Exodus 6:6-7, with some traditions associating a fifth promise (“I will bring you into the land”) with a fifth cup, known as the Cup of Elijah.
• Commemoration: They serve as a sensory way to remember the liberation from slavery, marking the transition from bondage to freedom.
• The Fifth Cup (Elijah’s Cup): While only four are mandatory to drink, some customs include a fifth cup for Elijah, symbolizing the future redemption, says Chabad.org.