In biblical times, the term "bushel" refers to a unit of measurement used primarily for dry goods, such as grain. The concept of a bushel is significant in understanding various biblical passages that discuss agricultural practices, economic transactions, and spiritual metaphors.

Biblical References:

1. Measurement and Economy:
The bushel is often mentioned in the context of trade and economy. In ancient Israel, agriculture was a central part of life, and accurate measurements were crucial for fair trade. The bushel, as a unit of measure, would have been used to quantify produce like wheat and barley, which were staple crops. Although the exact size of a biblical bushel is not specified, it is understood to be a sizable container for holding grain.

2. Spiritual Metaphors:
The bushel is also used metaphorically in the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the image of a bushel to illustrate a spiritual truth: "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" (Matthew 5:15). Here, the "basket" or "bushel" symbolizes anything that might conceal or suppress the light of one's faith. The teaching emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith openly and visibly, allowing it to illuminate the lives of others.

3. Symbol of Provision and Abundance:
The bushel can also symbolize God's provision and abundance. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, a full bushel of grain would represent sustenance and blessing. The imagery of overflowing bushels can be seen as a metaphor for divine generosity and the bountiful nature of God's blessings upon His people.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, standardized measurements were essential for maintaining justice and equity in trade. The Law of Moses includes commands to use honest scales and measures (Leviticus 19:35-36), underscoring the importance of integrity in economic dealings. The bushel, as a measure, would have been part of this system, ensuring that transactions were conducted fairly.

Theological Implications:

The use of the bushel in Scripture often points to broader theological themes, such as the call to live out one's faith authentically and the assurance of God's provision. The metaphor of not hiding one's light under a bushel challenges believers to be active witnesses in the world, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel. Additionally, the imagery of abundance associated with bushels serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and care for His creation.

In summary, the concept of the bushel in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing practical, spiritual, and theological dimensions. It serves as a tangible link between the everyday life of ancient Israel and the enduring spiritual truths found in Scripture.2884. koros -- a cor (a Hebrew measure equiv. to about 15 bushels)
... to about 15 bushels). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: koros Phonetic
Spelling: (kor'-os) Short Definition: a dry measure, 120 gallons Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2884.htm - 6k

Lamps and Bushels
... LAMPS AND BUSHELS. 'And Jesus said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under
a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?'"Mark 4:21. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/lamps and bushels.htm

Betar
... skulls of young children were found upon one stone: and that there were three chests
of torn phylacteries, each chest containing nine bushels: but there are ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 52 betar.htm

A Man Reaps More than He Sows.
... 13:8. If I sow a bushel, I expect to reap ten or twenty bushels. I can sow
in one day what will take ten men to reap. The Spaniards ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter v a man reaps.htm

The Salt and the Light of the World.
... be salt.'"'Ye are the light of the world; therefore shine.'"'Ye are a city; be seen
upon your hill.'"'Ye are the Lord's candles; let no bushels cover you ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the salt and the light.htm

Another Mode of Interpreting the Symbol of Wheat and Barley.
... little grain, he took such care, that when he departed this life, he left a seven
years' regular allowance to the Roman people, so that 70,000 bushels a day ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/another mode of interpreting the.htm

Second Great Group of Parables.
... [The amount remitted was about 267 bushels, and the debtor himself altered
the writing, that he might be in no uncertainty about it. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcii second great group of 5.htm

Love and Law.
... There was a gradual diminution in the number of hogsheads of tobacco and bushels
of corn and wheat that went into Richmond from his plantation annually; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/love and law.htm

Efforts of Julian to Establish Paganism and to Abolish Our Usages. ...
... necessary expenditure, and have issued directions throughout the whole of Galatia,
that you should be furnished annually with thirty thousand bushels of corn ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xvi efforts of julian to.htm

Of the Jews; of their Attempt at Building, and of the Heaven-Sent ...
... the remains of the former construction, with the intention of building everything
up afresh; but when they had got together thousands of bushels of chalk and ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xv of the jews of.htm

Of the Calamity of the Second Punic War, which Consumed the ...
... From this field of battle he sent to Carthage three bushels of gold rings, signifying
that so much of the rank of Rome had that day fallen, that it was easier ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 19 of the calamity of.htm

Bushels (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bushels (1 Occurrence). Luke 16:7 Then said he
to another,'How much do you owe?' He said,'A hundred cors ...
/b/bushels.htm - 6k

Homer (6 Occurrences)
... Heap, the largest of dry measures, containing about 8 bushels or 1 quarter English =
10 ephahs (Leviticus 27:16; Numbers 11:32) = a COR. (see OMER.). ...
/h/homer.htm - 9k

Bushel (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A quantity that fills a bushel measure; as, a heap containing ten
bushels of apples. 4. (n.) A large indefinite quantity. ...
/b/bushel.htm - 9k

Quarter (33 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The fourth of a ton in weight, or eight bushels of grain; as, a quarter
of wheat; also, the fourth part of a caldron of coal. ...
/q/quarter.htm - 21k

Lethech (1 Occurrence)
... LETHECH. le'-thek (lethekh): A liquid measure equivalent to half a homer (Hosea
3:2 margin) and containing about 5 1/2 bushels. See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. ...
/l/lethech.htm - 6k

Last (1087 Occurrences)
... In England, a last of codfish, white herrings, meal, or ashes, is twelve barrels;
a last of corn, ten quarters, or eighty bushels, in some parts of England ...
/l/last.htm - 18k

Wash (105 Occurrences)
... 26. (n.) The flow, swash, or breaking of a body of water, as a wave; also, the sound
of it. 27. (n.) Ten strikes, or bushels, of oysters. 28. (a.) Washy; weak. ...
/w/wash.htm - 45k

Bushes (7 Occurrences)

/b/bushes.htm - 8k

Seam (3 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) A denomination of weight or measure. 11. (n.) The quantity of eight bushels
of grain. 12. (n.) The quantity of 120 pounds of glass. Int. ...
/s/seam.htm - 8k

Sack (15 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A measure of varying capacity, according to local usage and the substance.
The American sack of salt is 215 pounds; the sack of wheat, two bushels. ...
/s/sack.htm - 12k

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