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Selected Verse: Isaiah 42:3 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Isa 42:3	Strong Concordance	A bruised [07533] reed [07070] shall he not break [07665], and the smoking [03544] flax [06594] shall he not quench [03518]: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] unto truth [0571].
	King James	A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
bruised--"It pleased the Lord to bruise Him" (Isa 53:5, Isa 53:10; Gen 3:15); so He can feel for the bruised. As Isa 42:2 described His unturbulent spirit towards His violent enemies (Mat 12:14-16), and His utter freedom from love of notoriety, so Isa 42:3, His tenderness in cherishing the first spark of grace in the penitent (Isa 40:11). reed--fragile: easily "shaken with the wind" (Mat 11:7). Those who are at best feeble, and who besides are oppressed by calamity or by the sense of sin. break--entirely crush or condemn. Compare "bind up the broken-hearted" (Isa 50:4; Isa 61:1; Mat 11:28). flax--put for the lamp-wick, formed of flax. The believer is the lamp (so the Greek, Mat 5:15; Joh 5:35): his conscience enlightened by the Holy Ghost is the wick. "Smoking" means "dimly burning," "smouldering," the flame not quite extinct. This expresses the positive side of the penitent's religion; as "bruised reed," the negative. Broken-hearted in himself, but not without some spark of flame: literally, "from above." Christ will supply such a one with grace as with oil. Also, the light of nature smouldering in the Gentiles amidst the hurtful fumes of error. He not only did not quench, but cleared away the mists and superadded the light of revelation. See JEROME, To Algasia, Question 2. truth--Mat 12:20 quotes it, "send forth judgment unto victory." Matthew, under the Spirit, gives the virtual sense, but varies the word, in order to bring out a fresh aspect of the same thing. Truth has in itself the elements of victory over all opposing forces. Truth is the victory of Him who is "the truth" (Joh 14:6). The gospel judicial sifting ("judgment") of believers and unbelievers, begun already in part (Joh 3:18-19; Joh 9:39), will be consummated victoriously in truth only at His second coming; Isa 42:13-14, here, and Mat 12:32, Mat 12:36, Mat 12:41-42, show that there is reference to the judicial aspect of the Gospel, especially finally: besides the mild triumph of Jesus coming in mercy to the penitent now (Isa 42:2), there shall be finally the judgment on His enemies, when the "truth" shall be perfectly developed. Compare Isa 61:1-3, where the two comings are similarly joined (Psa 2:4-6, Psa 2:8; Rev 15:2, Rev 15:4; Rev 19:11-16). On "judgment," see on Isa 42:1.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

bruised--"It pleased the Lord to bruise Him" (Isa 53:5, Isa 53:10; Gen 3:15); so He can feel for the bruised. As Isa 42:2 described His unturbulent spirit towards His violent enemies (Mat 12:14-16), and His utter freedom from love of notoriety, so Isa 42:3, His tenderness in cherishing the first spark of grace in the penitent (Isa 40:11).

reed--fragile: easily "shaken with the wind" (Mat 11:7). Those who are at best feeble, and who besides are oppressed by calamity or by the sense of sin.

break--entirely crush or condemn. Compare "bind up the broken-hearted" (Isa 50:4; Isa 61:1; Mat 11:28).

flax--put for the lamp-wick, formed of flax. The believer is the lamp (so the Greek, Mat 5:15; Joh 5:35): his conscience enlightened by the Holy Ghost is the wick. "Smoking" means "dimly burning," "smouldering," the flame not quite extinct. This expresses the positive side of the penitent's religion; as "bruised reed," the negative. Broken-hearted in himself, but not without some spark of flame: literally, "from above." Christ will supply such a one with grace as with oil. Also, the light of nature smouldering in the Gentiles amidst the hurtful fumes of error. He not only did not quench, but cleared away the mists and superadded the light of revelation. See JEROME, To Algasia, Question 2.

truth--Mat 12:20 quotes it, "send forth judgment unto victory." Matthew, under the Spirit, gives the virtual sense, but varies the word, in order to bring out a fresh aspect of the same thing. Truth has in itself the elements of victory over all opposing forces. Truth is the victory of Him who is "the truth" (Joh 14:6). The gospel judicial sifting ("judgment") of believers and unbelievers, begun already in part (Joh 3:18-19; Joh 9:39), will be consummated victoriously in truth only at His second coming; Isa 42:13-14, here, and Mat 12:32, Mat 12:36, Mat 12:41-42, show that there is reference to the judicial aspect of the Gospel, especially finally: besides the mild triumph of Jesus coming in mercy to the penitent now (Isa 42:2), there shall be finally the judgment on His enemies, when the "truth" shall be perfectly developed. Compare Isa 61:1-3, where the two comings are similarly joined (Psa 2:4-6, Psa 2:8; Rev 15:2, Rev 15:4; Rev 19:11-16). On "judgment," see on Isa 42:1.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
A bruised reed - The word 'reed' means the cane or calamus which grows up in marshy or wet places (Isa 36:6; see the note at Isa 43:24). The word, therefore, literally denotes that which is fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, or broken down; and stands in contrast with a lofty and firm tree (compare Mat 11:7): 'What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?' The word here, therefore, may be applied to people who are conscious of feebleness and sin; that are moved and broken by calamity; that feel that they have no strength to bear up against the ills of life. The word 'bruised' (רצוּץ râtsûts) means that which is broken or crushed, but not entirely broken off. As used here, it may denote those who are in themselves naturally feeble, and who have been crushed or broken down by a sense of sin, by calamity, or by affliction. We speak familiarly of crushing or breaking down by trials; and the phrase here is intensive and emphatic, denoting those who are at best like a reed - feeble and fragile; and who, in addition to that, have been broken and oppressed by a sense of their sins, or by calamity. Shall he not break - Shall he not break off. He will not carry on the work of destruction, and entirely crush or break it. And the idea is, that he will not make those already broken down with a sense of sin and with calamity, more wretched. He will not deepen their afflictions, or augment their trials, or multiply their sorrows. The sense is, that he will have an affectionate regard for the broken-hearted, the humble, the penitent, and the afflicted. Luther has well expressed this: 'He does not cast away, nor crush, nor condemn the wounded in conscience, those who are terrified in view of their sins; the weak in faith and practice, but watches over and cherishes them, makes them whole, and affectionately embraces them.' The expression is parallel to that which occurs in Isa 61:1, where it is said of the Messiah, 'He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted;' and to the declaration in Isa 50:4, where it is said, 'that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.' The smoking flax - The word used here denotes flax, and then a wick that is made of it. The word rendered 'smoking' (כהה kēhâh) means that which is weak, small, thin, feeble; then that which is just ready to go out, or to be extinguished; and the phrase refers literally to the expiring wick of a lamp, when the oil is almost consumed, and when it shines with a feeble and dying luster. It may denote here the condition of one who is feeble and disheartened, and whose love to God seems almost ready to expire. And the promise that he will not extinguish or quench that, means that he would cherish, feed, and cultivate it; he would supply it with grace, as with oil to cherish the dying flame, and cause it to be enkindled, and to rise with a high and steady brilliancy. The whole passage is descriptive of the Redeemer, who nourishes the most feeble piety in the hearts of his people, and who will not suffer true religion in the soul ever to become wholly extinct. It may seem as if the slightest breath of misfortune or opposition would extinguish it forever; it may be like the dying flame that hangs on the point of the wick, but if there be true religion it will not be extinguished, but will be enkindled to a pure and glowing flame, and it will yet rise high, and burn brightly. He shall bring forth judgment - (See Isa 42:1). The word 'judgment' here evidently denotes the true religion; the laws, institutions, and appointments of God. Unto truth - Matthew Mat 12:29 renders this, 'unto victory.' The meaning in Isaiah is, that he shall establish his religion according to truth; he shall faithfully announce the true precepts of religion, and secure their ascendency among mankind. It shall overcome all falsehood, and all idolatry, and shall obtain a final triumph in all nations. Thus explained, it is clear that Matthew has retained the general idea of the passage, though he has not quoted it literally.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
With this unassuming appearance there is associated a tender pastoral care. "A bruised reed He does not break, and a glimmering wick He does not put out: according to truth He brings out right." "Bruised:" râtsūts signifies here, as in Isa 36:6, what is cracked, and therefore half-broken already. Glimmering: kēheh (a form indicative of defects, like עוּר), that which is burning feebly, and very nearly extinguished. Tertullian understands by the "bruised reed" (arundinem contusam) the faith of Israel, and by the "glimmering wick" (linum ardens) the momentary zeal of the Gentiles. But the words hardly admit of this distinction; the reference is rather a general one, to those whose inner and outer life is only hanging by a slender thread. In the statement that in such a case as this He does not completely break or extinguish, there is more implied than is really expressed. Not only will He not destroy the life that is dying out, but He will actually save it; His course is not to destroy, but to save. If we explain the words that follow as meaning, "He will carry out right to truth," i.e., to its fullest efficacy and permanence (lxx εἰς ἀλήθειαν; instead of which we find εἰς νῖκος, "unto victory," in Mat 12:20, (Note: "Ad victoriam enim kri'sin perducit qui ad veritatem perducit." - Anger.) as if the reading were לנצח, as in Hab 1:4), the connection between the first and last clauses of Isa 42:3 is a very loose one. It becomes much closer if we take the ל as indicating the standard, as in Isa 11:3 and Isa 32:1, and adopt the rendering "according to truth" (Hitzig and Knobel). It is on its subjective and practical side that truth is referred to here, viz., as denoting such a knowledge, and acknowledgement of the true facts in the complicated affairs of men, as will promote both equity and kindness.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Break - Christ will not deal rigorously with those that come to him, but he will use all gentleness, cherishing the smallest beginnings of grace, comforting and healing wounded consciences. Quench - That wick of a candle which is almost extinct, he will not quench, but revive and kindle it again. Judgment - The law of God, or the doctrine of the gospel, which he will bring forth, unto, with, or according to truth, that is, truly and faithfully.

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¹ Behold my servant [05650], whom I uphold [08551]; mine elect [0972], in whom my soul [05315] delighteth [07521]; I have put [05414] my spirit [07307] upon him: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] to the Gentiles [01471].

¹¹ And [2532] I saw [1492] heaven [3772] opened [455], and [2532] behold [2400] a white [3022] horse [2462]; and [2532] he that sat [2521] upon [1909] him [846] was called [2564] Faithful [4103] and [2532] True [228], and [2532] in [1722] righteousness [1343] he doth judge [2919] and [2532] make war [4170].
¹² [1161] His [846] eyes [3788] were as [5613] a flame [5395] of fire [4442], and [2532] on [1909] his [846] head [2776] were many [4183] crowns [1238]; and he had [2192] a name [3686] written [1125], that [3739] no man [3762] knew [1492], but [1508] he himself [846].
¹³ And [2532] he was clothed [4016] with a vesture [2440] dipped [911] in blood [129]: and [2532] his [846] name [3686] is called [2564] The Word [3056] of God [2316].
¹⁴ And [2532] the armies [4753] which were [3588] in [1722] heaven [3772] followed [190] him [846] upon [1909] white [3022] horses [2462], clothed [1746] in fine linen [1039], white [3022] and [2532] clean [2513].
¹⁵ And [2532] out of [1537] his [846] mouth [4750] goeth [1607] a sharp [3691] sword [4501], that [2443] with [1722] it [846] he should smite [3960] the nations [1484]: and [2532] he [846] shall rule [4165] them [846] with [1722] a rod [4464] of iron [4603]: and [2532] he [846] treadeth [3961] the winepress [3025] [3631] of the fierceness [2372] and [2532] wrath [3709] of Almighty [3841] God [2316].
¹⁶ And [2532] he hath [2192] on [1909] his vesture [2440] and [2532] on [1909] his [846] thigh [3382] a name [3686] written [1125], KING [935] OF KINGS [935], AND [2532] LORD [2962] OF LORDS [2962].

⁴ Who [5101] shall [5399] not [3364] fear [5399] thee [4571], O Lord [2962], and [2532] glorify [1392] thy [4675] name [3686]? for [3754] thou only [3441] art holy [3741]: for [3754] all [3956] nations [1484] shall come [2240] and [2532] worship [4352] before [1799] thee [4675]; for [3754] thy [4675] judgments [1345] are made manifest [5319].

² And [2532] I saw [1492] as it were [5613] a sea [2281] of glass [5193] mingled [3396] with fire [4442]: and [2532] them that had gotten the victory [3528] over [1537] the beast [2342], and [2532] over [1537] his [846] image [1504], and [2532] over [1537] his [846] mark [5480], and over [1537] the number [706] of his [846] name [3686], stand [2476] on [1909] the sea [2281] of glass [5193], having [2192] the harps [2788] of God [2316].

⁸ Ask [07592] of me, and I shall give [05414] thee the heathen [01471] for thine inheritance [05159], and the uttermost parts [0657] of the earth [0776] for thy possession [0272].

⁴ He that sitteth [03427] in the heavens [08064] shall laugh [07832]: the Lord [0136] shall have them in derision [03932].
⁵ Then shall he speak [01696] unto them in his wrath [0639], and vex [0926] them in his sore displeasure [02740].
⁶ Yet have I set [05258] my king [04428] upon my holy [06944] hill [02022] of Zion [06726].

¹ The Spirit [07307] of the Lord [0136] GOD [03069] is upon me; because the LORD [03068] hath anointed [04886] me to preach good tidings [01319] unto the meek [06035]; he hath sent [07971] me to bind up [02280] the brokenhearted [07665] [03820], to proclaim [07121] liberty [01865] to the captives [07617], and the opening of the prison [06495] to them that are bound [0631];
² To proclaim [07121] the acceptable [07522] year [08141] of the LORD [03068], and the day [03117] of vengeance [05359] of our God [0430]; to comfort [05162] all that mourn [057];
³ To appoint [07760] unto them that mourn [057] in Zion [06726], to give [05414] unto them beauty [06287] for ashes [0665], the oil [08081] of joy [08342] for mourning [060], the garment [04594] of praise [08416] for the spirit [07307] of heaviness [03544]; that they might be called [07121] trees [0352] of righteousness [06664], the planting [04302] of the LORD [03068], that he might be glorified [06286].

² He shall not cry [06817], nor lift up [05375], nor cause his voice [06963] to be heard [08085] in the street [02351].

⁴¹ The men [435] of Nineveh [3536] shall rise [450] in [1722] judgment [2920] with [3326] this [5026] generation [1074], and [2532] shall condemn [2632] it [846]: because [3754] they repented [3340] at [1519] the preaching [2782] of Jonas [2495]; and [2532], behold [2400], a greater than [4119] Jonas [2495] is here [5602].
⁴² The queen [938] of the south [3558] shall rise up [1453] in [1722] the judgment [2920] with [3326] this [5026] generation [1074], and [2532] shall condemn [2632] it [846]: for [3754] she came [2064] from [1537] the uttermost parts [4009] of the earth [1093] to hear [191] the wisdom [4678] of Solomon [4672]; and [2532], behold [2400], a greater than [4119] Solomon [4672] is here [5602].

³⁶ But [1161] I say [3004] unto you [5213], That [3754] every [3956] idle [692] word [4487] that [3739] [1437] men [444] shall speak [2980], they shall give [591] account [3056] thereof [4012] [846] in [1722] the day [2250] of judgment [2920].

³² And [2532] whosoever [3739] [302] speaketh [2036] a word [3056] against [2596] the Son [5207] of man [444], it shall be forgiven [863] him [846]: but [3739] whosoever [1161] [302] speaketh [2036] against [2596] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151], it shall [863] not [3756] be forgiven [863] him [846], neither [3777] in [1722] this [5129] world [165], neither [3777] in [1722] the world to come [3195].

¹³ The LORD [03068] shall go forth [03318] as a mighty man [01368], he shall stir up [05782] jealousy [07068] like a man [0376] of war [04421]: he shall cry [07321], yea, roar [06873]; he shall prevail [01396] against his enemies [0341].
¹⁴ I have long time [05769] holden my peace [02814]; I have been still [02790], and refrained [0662] myself: now will I cry [06463] like a travailing woman [03205]; I will destroy [05395] [08074] and devour [07602] at once [03162].

³⁹ And [2532] Jesus [2424] said [2036], For [1519] judgment [2917] I [1473] am come [2064] into [1519] this [5126] world [2889], that [2443] they which see [991] not [3361] might see [991]; and [2532] that they which see [991] might be made [1096] blind [5185].

¹⁸ He that believeth [4100] on [1519] him [846] is [2919] not [3756] condemned [2919]: but [1161] he that believeth [4100] not [3361] is condemned [2919] already [2235], because [3754] he hath [4100] not [3361] believed [4100] in [1519] the name [3686] of the only begotten [3439] Son [5207] of God [2316].
¹⁹ And [1161] this [3778] is [2076] the condemnation [2920], that [3754] light [5457] is come [2064] into [1519] the world [2889], and [2532] men [444] loved [25] darkness [4655] rather [3123] than [2228] light [5457], because [1063] their [846] deeds [2041] were [2258] evil [4190].

⁶ Jesus [2424] saith [3004] unto him [846], I [1473] am [1510] the way [3598], [2532] the truth [225], and [2532] the life [2222]: no man [3762] cometh [2064] unto [4314] the Father [3962], but [1508] by [1223] me [1700].

²⁰ A bruised [4937] reed [2563] shall he [2608] not [3756] break [2608], and [2532] smoking [5188] flax [3043] shall he [4570] not [3756] quench [4570], till [2193] [302] he send forth [1544] judgment [2920] unto [1519] victory [3534].

³⁵ He [1565] was [2258] a burning [2545] and [2532] a shining [5316] light [3088]: and [1161] ye [5210] were willing [2309] for [4314] a season [5610] to rejoice [21] in [1722] his [846] light [5457].

¹⁵ Neither [3761] do men light [2545] a candle [3088], and [2532] put [5087] it [846] under [5259] a bushel [3426], but [235] on [1909] a candlestick [3087]; and [2532] it giveth light [2989] unto all [3956] that are in [1722] the house [3614].

²⁸ Come [1205] unto [4314] me [3165], all [3956] ye that labour [2872] and [2532] are heavy laden [5412], and I [2504] will give [373] you [5209] rest [373].

⁴ The Lord [0136] GOD [03069] hath given [05414] me the tongue [03956] of the learned [03928], that I should know [03045] how to speak [05790] a word [01697] in season to him that is weary [03287]: he wakeneth [05782] morning [01242] by morning [01242], he wakeneth [05782] mine ear [0241] to hear [08085] as the learned [03928].

⁷ And [1161] as [5130] they departed [4198], Jesus [2424] began [756] to say [3004] unto the multitudes [3793] concerning [4012] John [2491], What [5101] went ye [1831] out into [1519] the wilderness [2048] to see [2300]? A reed [2563] shaken [4531] with [5259] the wind [417]?

¹¹ He shall feed [07462] his flock [05739] like a shepherd [07462]: he shall gather [06908] the lambs [02922] with his arm [02220], and carry [05375] them in his bosom [02436], and shall gently lead [05095] those that are with young [05763].

³ A bruised [07533] reed [07070] shall he not break [07665], and the smoking [03544] flax [06594] shall he not quench [03518]: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] unto truth [0571].

¹⁴ Then [1161] the Pharisees [5330] went out [1831], and held [2983] a council [4824] against [2596] him [846], how [3704] they might destroy [622] him [846].
¹⁵ But [1161] when Jesus [2424] knew [1097] it, he withdrew himself [402] from thence [1564]: and [2532] great [4183] multitudes [3793] followed [190] him [846], and [2532] he healed [2323] them [846] all [3956];
¹⁶ And [2532] charged [2008] them [846] that [3363] they should [4160] not [3363] make [4160] him [846] known [5318]:

² He shall not cry [06817], nor lift up [05375], nor cause his voice [06963] to be heard [08085] in the street [02351].

¹⁵ And I will put [07896] enmity [0342] between thee and the woman [0802], and between thy seed [02233] and her seed [02233]; it shall bruise [07779] thy head [07218], and thou shalt bruise [07779] his heel [06119].

¹⁰ Yet it pleased [02654] the LORD [03068] to bruise [01792] him; he hath put him to grief [02470]: when thou shalt make [07760] his soul [05315] an offering for sin [0817], he shall see [07200] his seed [02233], he shall prolong [0748] his days [03117], and the pleasure [02656] of the LORD [03068] shall prosper [06743] in his hand [03027].

⁵ But he was wounded [02490] for our transgressions [06588], he was bruised [01792] for our iniquities [05771]: the chastisement [04148] of our peace [07965] was upon him; and with his stripes [02250] we are healed [07495].

²⁹ Or [2228] else how [4459] can [1410] one [5100] enter [1525] into [1519] a strong man's [2478] house [3614], and [2532] spoil [1283] his [846] goods [4632], except [3362] he first [4412] bind [1210] the strong man [2478]? and [2532] then [5119] he will spoil [1283] his [846] house [3614].

²⁴ Thou hast bought [07069] me no sweet cane [07070] with money [03701], neither hast thou filled [07301] me with the fat [02459] of thy sacrifices [02077]: but thou hast made me to serve [05647] with thy sins [02403], thou hast wearied [03021] me with thine iniquities [05771].

⁶ Lo, thou trustest [0982] in the staff [04938] of this broken [07533] reed [07070], on Egypt [04714]; whereon if a man [0376] lean [05564], it will go [0935] into his hand [03709], and pierce [05344] it: so is Pharaoh [06547] king [04428] of Egypt [04714] to all that trust [0982] in him.

¹ Behold, a king [04428] shall reign [04427] in righteousness [06664], and princes [08269] shall rule [08323] in judgment [04941].

³ And shall make him of quick understanding [07306] in the fear [03374] of the LORD [03068]: and he shall not judge [08199] after the sight [04758] of his eyes [05869], neither reprove [03198] after the hearing [04926] of his ears [0241]:

³ A bruised [07533] reed [07070] shall he not break [07665], and the smoking [03544] flax [06594] shall he not quench [03518]: he shall bring forth [03318] judgment [04941] unto truth [0571].

⁴ Therefore the law [08451] is slacked [06313], and judgment [04941] doth never [05331] go forth [03318]: for the wicked [07563] doth compass [03803] about the righteous [06662]; therefore wrong [06127] judgment [04941] proceedeth [03318].