Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "bushel" refers to a unit of dry measure used for grains and other commodities. The concept of a bushel is mentioned in the context of daily life and teachings of Jesus, particularly in the New Testament. The bushel is often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths.
Biblical References:1.
Matthew 5:15 : "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." In this passage, the "basket" is often translated as "bushel" in other versions. The metaphor here is clear: just as a lamp is not meant to be hidden under a bushel, the light of a believer's faith should not be concealed but should shine forth for all to see. This teaching emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith openly and being a witness to others.
2.
Mark 4:21 : "Jesus also said to them, 'Does anyone bring in a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed? Doesn’t he set it on a stand?'" Again, the imagery of a lamp under a bushel is used to illustrate the absurdity of hiding one's faith. The bushel, in this context, symbolizes anything that might obscure or diminish the visibility of the Gospel in a believer's life.
3.
Luke 11:33 : "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a basket. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light." This reiteration of the metaphor underscores the consistent message across the Synoptic Gospels about the visibility and impact of a Christian's testimony.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Israel, a bushel was a common measure for dry goods, roughly equivalent to about 8 gallons or 35 liters. It was a practical tool for trade and daily life, used to measure grains, fruits, and other produce. The use of the bushel in Jesus' parables would have been easily understood by His audience, who were familiar with agricultural practices and the importance of light in their homes.
Theological Significance:The metaphor of the bushel in the teachings of Jesus serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility of believers to be visible and active in their faith. It challenges Christians to examine what "bushels" in their lives might be hiding their light—whether it be fear, complacency, or societal pressures—and to remove these obstacles so that their witness can shine brightly.
The bushel, therefore, is not just a measure of grain but a symbol of the potential hindrances to the expression of faith. It calls believers to a life of authenticity and boldness, ensuring that the light of Christ is not hidden but is a guiding beacon to those around them.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bushel[WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ANDMEASURES]
ATS Bible Dictionary
BushelUsed in the New Testament to express the Greek modius, which was about a peck by our measure.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A dry measure, containing four pecks, eight gallons, or thirty-two quarts.
2. (n.) A vessel of the capacity of a bushel, used in measuring; a bushel measure.
3. (n.) A quantity that fills a bushel measure; as, a heap containing ten bushels of apples.
4. (n.) A large indefinite quantity.
5. (n.) The iron lining in the nave of a wheel. [Eng.] In the United States it is called a box. See 4th Bush.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BUSHELboosh'-el (modios): A dry measure containing about a peck, but as it is used in the New Testament (Matthew 5:15Mark 4:21Luke 11:33) it does not refer to capacity but is used only to indicate a covering to conceal the light.
Greek
3426. modios -- modius, a dry measure of one peck...bushel. Of Latin origin; a modius, ie Certain measure for things dry (the quantity
or the utensil) --
bushel. (modion) -- 3 Occurrences. 3425, 3426.
...4568. saton -- seah, a (Heb.) measure (equiv. to about one and a...
... measure equivalent to nearly three English gallons" (Souter); the measure for grain,
"about a peck and a half or somewhat less than one-halfbushel (abushel...
Strong's Hebrew
374. ephah -- an ephah (a measure of grain)... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition an ephah (a measure of grain) NASB Word
Usage
bushel (1), differing measures (2), ephah (33), measure (2).
...Library
The Lamp and theBushel
... ST. MATTHEW Chaps. I to VIII THE LAMP AND THEBUSHEL. 'Ye are the light of
the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15....
Chapter vi.
... "Neither do men light a candle [59] and put it under abushel measure."
[60] What view are we to take? That the expression "under...
Chapter: 4:21-25 Lamp and Stand
... Mark CHAPTER: 4:21-25 LAMP AND STAND. "And He said unto them, Is the lamp brought
to be put under thebushel, or under the bed? and not to be put on the stand?...
The Salt and the Light of the World.
... Neither do men light a candle, and put it under abushel, but on a candlestick,
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house....
Lamps and Bushels
... LAMPS AND BUSHELS. 'And Jesus said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under
abushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?'"Mark 4:21....
How one Even of those who are Without May be Brought to Believe...
... him, it would be sufficient as proof of his statement for the agriculturist to show
him the virtue existing in one seed of those in thebushel and make it a...
Book vii. On the Useful or the Ordinary
... Abushel basket is the human body, or the letter of the law, or the people of Judah;
in the gospel; no man light a light and puts it under abushel....
Thus Has the Question Been on Both Sides Considered and Treated...
... it be asked, what harm it does to a person rolling in superfluous wealth, if from
countless thousands of bushels of wheat he lose onebushel, whichbushel may...
Reform
... Well," said he, "it cannot have done you any good then." "Yes it did," said she,
"for though I forgot the sermon, I did not forget to burn mybushel when I got...
The First Great Group of Parables.
... and the Ber??ans (Acts 10:33; xvii.11) show us examples of the fourth.] ^b 21 And
he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under thebushel, or under a...
Thesaurus
Bushel (6 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A vessel of the capacity of a
bushel, used in measuring; a
bushel measure.
... See 4th Bush. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BUSHEL.
...Candle (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under abushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (KJV WBS)....
Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... Lampstand (38 Occurrences). Matthew 5:15 Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a
bushel, but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house....
Candlestick (34 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under abushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (KJV WBS)....
Lamp-stand (17 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under thebushel, but upon the
lamp-stand, and it shines for all who are in the house. (DBY YLT)....
Lighted (36 Occurrences)
... Lighted (36 Occurrences). Matthew 5:15 Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under abushel,
but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house. (WEY)....
Buries (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:33 Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He
said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in abushel of flour, for...
Takes (380 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 13:33 Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens,"
He said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in abushel of flour...
Bush (14 Occurrences)
Lights (71 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:33 "When any one lights a lamp, he never puts it in the cellar or under
thebushel, but on the lampstand, that people who come in may see the light....
Resources
What are the modern equivalents of biblical weights and measures? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does unbelief appear to be increasing in the world today? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.orgBushel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
