Lights & bushels

Posted by ESC on March 17, 2003

In Reply to: Lights & bushels posted by Sandy Cullen on March 17, 2003

: I am curious as to the derivation of the expression: "hiding his light under a bushel". Can anyone enlighten me?

It's from the Bible.

Matthew 5:15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Luke 11:33
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

• Lights & bushels ESC 03/17/03