Bushel
ArtifactsWhat is the meaning of Bushel in the Bible?
A dry measure containing about a peck, used in the New Testament to indicate a covering to conceal light.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this specific volume clarifies the physical scale of the metaphor used in the Gospels, where placing a bushel over a lamp signifies an extreme and unnecessary act of hiding one's light, thereby emphasizing the imperative for visible righteousness.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Bushel were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Bushel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bushel clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Bushel." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bushel/