The term "bruised" in the Bible often carries significant theological and symbolic meaning, reflecting both physical and spiritual dimensions. It is used to describe physical injury, emotional distress, and spiritual brokenness, often in the context of God's redemptive work.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the concept of being bruised is introduced early in the narrative of Scripture. Genesis 3:15 is a foundational verse where God speaks to the serpent after the fall of man: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel" . Here, the term "strike" is often interpreted as "bruise" in other translations, indicating a prophetic reference to the coming Messiah who would be bruised by Satan but ultimately triumph over him.

Isaiah 53:5 is another critical passage where the suffering servant is described: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" . The word "crushed" here is synonymous with being bruised, highlighting the Messiah's suffering for the sins of humanity. This passage is pivotal in understanding the sacrificial role of Christ, who bore the physical and spiritual bruises of sin on behalf of mankind.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies is seen in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Matthew 12:20 quotes Isaiah 42:3, saying, "A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory" . This passage emphasizes Christ's gentle and compassionate nature, showing His care for the weak and downtrodden. The imagery of a bruised reed symbolizes those who are fragile and vulnerable, whom Christ came to restore rather than destroy.

Luke 4:18 records Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed" . The term "oppressed" can be understood as those who are bruised by life's hardships and sin. Jesus' mission includes healing and liberation for those who are spiritually and emotionally bruised.

Theological Implications

The concept of being bruised in Scripture is deeply connected to the themes of sin, suffering, and redemption. It underscores the reality of human brokenness and the need for divine intervention. The bruising of Christ is central to the Christian understanding of atonement, where His suffering and sacrifice provide the means for healing and reconciliation with God.

Moreover, the imagery of a bruised reed not being broken reflects God's grace and mercy towards humanity. It reassures believers of God's compassion and His desire to restore and uphold those who are weak and struggling. This theme is a source of comfort and hope, encouraging believers to trust in God's redemptive power and His ability to bring healing to their lives.(imp. & p. p.) of Bruise.BRUISE; BRUISED

brooz, broozd: The noun occurs in Isaiah 1:6 the King James Version, "bruises and putrifying sores," as the translation of chabbarah. The verb translations a number of Hebrew words, the principal ones being:

(1) shuph (Genesis 3:15 (twice));

(2) daqaq (Isaiah 28:28 (twice) (the American Standard Revised Version "ground," "and though the wheel of his cart and his horses scatter it, he doth not grind it" for the King James Version "nor break it with the wheels of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen"));

(3) dakha', in the classical passage, Isaiah 53:5, "He was bruised for our iniquities," Isaiah 53:10, "Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him";

(4) ratsats, "A bruised reed shall he not break," Isaiah 42:3 (quoted in Matthew 12:20).

In the New Testament bruise is the translation of sparasso, "to rend" (the American Standard Revised Version "bruising him sorely") Luke 9:39; of suntribo, "to break to pieces" (Matthew 12:20); "shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly" (Romans 16:20); of thrauo in Luke 4:18 in the quotation from Isaiah 58:6, "to set at liberty them that are bruised" (WH omits the verse).

Arthur J. Kinsella

4600. maak -- to press, squeeze
... maak. 4601 . to press, squeeze. Transliteration: maak Phonetic Spelling:
(maw-ak') Short Definition: bruised. Word Origin a prim. ... bruised, stuck, be pressed. ...
/hebrew/4600.htm - 6k

4790. meroach -- perhaps a rubbing away
... crushed (1). broken. From marach; bruised, ie Emasculated -- broken. see HEBREW
marach. 4789, 4790. meroach. 4791 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4790.htm - 6k

7533. ratsats -- to crush
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to crush NASB Word Usage broke (1), bruised
(1), crush (1), crushed (9), crushing (1), oppressed (5), struggled (1). ...
/hebrew/7533.htm - 6k

June 8. "Bread Corn is Bruised" (Isa. xxviii. 28).
... JUNE 8. "Bread corn is bruised" (Isa. xxviii. 28). "Bread corn is bruised"
(Isaiah 28:28). The farmer does not gather timothy ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /june 8 bread corn is.htm

Good Friday. Morning. He was Wounded for Our Transgressions, He ...
... He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the
chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/good friday morning he was.htm

Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of ...
... CHRIST THE ARRESTER OF INCIPIENT EVIL AND THE NOURISHER OF INCIPIENT GOOD. 'A bruised
reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.... ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/christ the arrester of incipient.htm

Psalm CXLVII.
... "Who healeth the bruised in heart" (ver.3). Behold the way in which the dispersions
of Israel are gathered, by the healing of the bruised in heart. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlvii.htm

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
... of the new dispensation to the Gentiles.] 19 He shall not strive, nor cry aloud;
Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets.20 A bruised reed shall he ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xl jesus heals multitudes beside.htm

Messiah Suffering and Wounded for Us
... Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: .... He was wounded for
our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: ... (2.). He was bruised. ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xix messiah suffering and.htm

The Suffering Servant-ii
... and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted.5. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servant-ii.htm

Sin Laid on Jesus
... is that a weary soul finds sweetest rest. The Savior bruised is the healing
of bruised hearts. I want now to draw the hearts of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/sin laid on jesus.htm

The Good Samaritan
... It was here that the traveler was attacked, stripped of all that was valuable,
wounded and bruised, and left half dead by the wayside. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 54 the good samaritan.htm

Matt. xii. 9, 10
... streets. A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He
not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory. And ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xl matt xii 9.htm

Bruised (36 Occurrences)
... BRUISE; BRUISED. brooz, broozd: The noun occurs in Isaiah 1:6 the King James Version,
"bruises and putrifying sores," as the translation of chabbarah. ...
/b/bruised.htm - 18k

Bruise (19 Occurrences)
... BRUISE; BRUISED. brooz, broozd: The noun occurs in Isaiah 1:6 the King James Version,
"bruises and putrifying sores," as the translation of chabbarah. ...
/b/bruise.htm - 14k

Groats (4 Occurrences)
... a meal-offering of first-fruits unto Jehovah, thou shalt offer for the meal-offering
of thy first-fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, bruised grain of ...
/g/groats.htm - 7k

Reed (41 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:14). A "bruised reed" (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20) is an emblem of a
believer weak in grace. ... Matthew 12:20 He won't break a bruised reed. ...
/r/reed.htm - 29k

Quench (14 Occurrences)
... Quench (14 Occurrences). Matthew 12:20 He won't break a bruised reed. ... Isaiah 42:3
He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a dimly burning wick. ...
/q/quench.htm - 12k

Leans (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:21 Now, behold, you trust in the staff of this bruised reed, even in
Egypt. If a man leans on it, it will go into his hand, and pierce it. ...
/l/leans.htm - 8k

Grits (2 Occurrences)
... a meal offering of first fruits to Yahweh, you shall offer for the meal offering
of your first fruits grain in the ear parched with fire, bruised grain of the ...
/g/grits.htm - 7k

Whoredoms (34 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:3 And they committed whoredoms in Egypt; they committed whoredoms in
their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats ...
/w/whoredoms.htm - 17k

Inhabiting (23 Occurrences)
... 57:15 For thus said the high and exalted One, Inhabiting eternity, and holy 'is'
His name: 'In the high and holy place I dwell, And with the bruised and humble ...
/i/inhabiting.htm - 13k

Smoking (9 Occurrences)
... Smoking (9 Occurrences). Matthew 12:20 He won't break a bruised reed. He
won't quench a smoking flax, until he leads justice to victory. ...
/s/smoking.htm - 9k

What does it mean that “a bruised reed He will not break” in Matthew 12:20? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that “the smoking flax He will not quench” in Matthew 12:20? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Christ was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5)? | GotQuestions.org

Bruised: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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