In biblical literature, the term "bruises" often symbolizes physical suffering, spiritual affliction, and the consequences of sin. The imagery of bruising is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures to convey deeper theological truths about human nature, divine judgment, and redemption.

Old Testament Context

The concept of bruising appears early in the biblical narrative. In Genesis 3:15, God pronounces a curse upon the serpent after the Fall of Man, stating, "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 bruising of the heel is a prophetic reference to the suffering of Christ, while the crushing of the serpent's head signifies ultimate victory over sin and Satan.

In Isaiah 53:5, the suffering servant passage, the prophet Isaiah writes, "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 term "crushed" in this context is often understood as a severe form of bruising, indicating the Messiah's sacrificial suffering for the sins of humanity. This passage is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the redemptive work of Christ.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the theme of bruising continues to be significant. Luke 4:18 records Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue, declaring, "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 freedom 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 or broken by the weight of sin and suffering. Jesus' mission is portrayed as one of healing and liberation from these afflictions.

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 16:20, reassures believers of God's ultimate victory over evil: "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." . The imagery of crushing here echoes the promise of Genesis 3:15, reinforcing the hope of deliverance and the defeat of evil through Christ.

Theological Implications

The use of bruising in Scripture underscores the reality of human suffering and the pervasive impact of sin. It also highlights the profound nature of Christ's atoning work. Through His own bruising and suffering, Jesus provides healing and restoration for those who believe in Him. The imagery serves as a reminder of the cost of redemption and the hope of ultimate victory over sin and death.

In Christian thought, bruises are not merely physical marks but represent the spiritual wounds inflicted by sin and the brokenness of the world. The promise of healing through Christ offers believers assurance of God's love and the transformative power of the Gospel.6482. petsa -- a bruise, wound
... wound. Word Origin from patsa Definition a bruise, wound NASB Word Usage
bruises (1), wound (3), wounding (1), wounds (3). wounding. ...
/hebrew/6482.htm - 6k

7779. shuph -- to bruise
... bruise. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bruise NASB Word Usage bruise
(2), bruises (1), overwhelm (1). break, bruise, cover. ...
/hebrew/7779.htm - 5k

The Suffering Servant-ii
... It is pre-supposed that all transgression leads to wounds and bruises; but the
transgressions are done by us, and the wounds and bruises fall on Him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servant-ii.htm

Thou Anointest My Head with Oil; My Cup Runneth Over.
... Many of them are foot-sore and lame; many have received bruises and scratches during
the journeyings of the day; some have gaping and bleeding wounds from the ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/x thou anointest my head.htm

Why Job was So Great a Sufferer.
... And when he says concerning the Lord, "For many bruises hath He inflicted upon me
without a cause," [1469] observe that his words are not, He hath inflicted ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/25 hence the force of.htm

The Suffering Servant --iv
... the prophet paints a figure so sinless that God's bruising Him is an outstanding
wonder and riddle, only to be solved by regarding these bruises as the stripes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servantiv.htm

Christ the Arrester of Incipient Evil and the Nourisher of ...
... would strengthen. His perfect manhood knows no flaws nor bruises; His complete
goodness is capable of and needs no increase. Neither ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/christ the arrester of incipient.htm

Psalm CXLVII.
... It is ill for that to be uplifted which is not first corrected.... 6.
What are the means whereby He "bindeth up their bruises"? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlvii.htm

A Little Sanctuary
... Brethren, let us brace ourselves to bear the bruises of slanderous tongues! ... It is
a rod that bruises, but it is not a rod that batters to pieces. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a little sanctuary.htm

Preaching at Nazareth
... Sin blinds. And sin bruises. It takes all the health out of us, and makes
us, from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/preaching at nazareth.htm

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
... He is in the stage of feeling sorry for himself, and examining his bruises, but
he wishes he were able to shake off the remaining drowsiness, that he might ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the portrait of a drunkyard.htm

Ephesians iv. 31
... And what is more base than all, there are some so fierce and so savage as to lash
them to such a degree, that the bruises will not disappear with the day. ...
/.../homily xv ephesians iv 31.htm

Bruises (5 Occurrences)
...Bruises (5 Occurrences). ... It convulses him, and makes him foam at the mouth, and does
not leave him till it has well-nigh covered him with bruises. (WEY). ...
/b/bruises.htm - 7k

Bruise (19 Occurrences)
... or to plants, fruit, etc., with a blunt or heavy instrument, or by collision with
some other body; a contusion; as, a bruise on the head; bruises on fruit. ...
/b/bruise.htm - 14k

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

Needless (3 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? (WEB NIV). ...
/n/needless.htm - 7k

Well-nigh (5 Occurrences)
... It convulses him, and makes him foam at the mouth, and does not leave him
till it has well-nigh covered him with bruises. (WEY). ...
/w/well-nigh.htm - 7k

Festering (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in
it; but wounds, and bruises, and fresh stripes: they have not been closed ...
/f/festering.htm - 8k

Mollified (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in
it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed ...
/m/mollified.htm - 6k

Mollify
... as "His anger was mollified." English Versions of the Bible, however, uses the word
literally in its two occurrences: Isaiah 1:6, "wounds, and bruises.... ...
/m/mollify.htm - 7k

Putrifying (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in
it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed ...
/p/putrifying.htm - 6k

Plaint (5 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? (Root in WEB YLT NIV). ...
/p/plaint.htm - 8k

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