Isaiah 42:3 kjv
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Isaiah 42:3 nkjv
A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.
Isaiah 42:3 niv
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
Isaiah 42:3 esv
a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.
Isaiah 42:3 nlt
He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
Isaiah 42 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 42:3 | A bruised reed he will not break, and a flickering wick he will not... | Isaiah 42:1-4 |
| Matthew 12:20 | A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will... | Matt 12:18-21 (Fulfillment) |
| John 3:34 | For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God... | John 3:34 |
| 1 Peter 2:23 | When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when... | 1 Pet 2:23 |
| Psalm 69:9 | For the zeal of your house consumes me, and the insults of those... | Ps 69:9 |
| Psalm 131:1 | My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not... | Ps 131:1-2 |
| Isaiah 11:2 | The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and... | Isa 11:2 |
| Zechariah 4:6 | "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor... | Zech 4:6 |
| John 1:14 | The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have... | John 1:14 |
| John 18:20 | “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always... | John 18:20 |
| Matthew 5:5 | Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. | Matt 5:5 |
| Proverbs 15:1 | A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up... | Prov 15:1 |
| Proverbs 25:15 | Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and gentle speech can... | Prov 25:15 |
| Isaiah 30:15 | This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ... | Isa 30:15 |
| Matthew 11:29 | “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and... | Matt 11:29 |
| Galatians 6:1 | Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who... | Gal 6:1 |
| Philippians 2:5 | In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as... | Phil 2:3-5 |
| Hebrews 4:15 | For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with... | Heb 4:15 |
| Hebrews 12:12 | Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees. | Heb 12:12 |
| Isaiah 9:6 | For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government... | Isa 9:6 |
| 1 Corinthians 1:27 | But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the... | 1 Cor 1:27 |
Isaiah 42 verses
Isaiah 42 3 Meaning
The verse describes the gentle nature of the Servant of the Lord. He will not cry out or lift up his voice in the public square. His actions and message are characterized by tenderness and quiet resolve, not by public clamor or aggressive displays.
Isaiah 42 3 Context
This verse is part of the "Servant Songs" in Isaiah, which describe a unique individual chosen by God. Chapter 42 introduces this Servant, highlighting his mission to bring justice to the nations. The immediate context contrasts the Servant's quiet, determined approach with the noisy, ineffective idolatry of the nations. He is presented as one who will establish God's truth without force or fanfare. This passage points towards the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who exemplified these characteristics.
Isaiah 42 3 Word Analysis
- קָנֶה (qaneh): Reed. In this context, it symbolizes fragility and weakness. It refers to something easily broken or crushed.
- רָצוּץ (ratzutz): Bruised, crushed. This participle emphasizes a state of being broken, weakened, or oppressed, but not yet completely destroyed.
- אַל־ (al): No, not. A strong negative particle.
- יִשְׁבּוֹר (yishbor): Will break. Future tense, indicating a definite action of complete destruction.
- פְּתִיל (pethil): Wick. Refers to the part of a lamp that holds the flame, often made of flax or similar material. It suggests something easily extinguished or sputtering.
- דַּעֲכָה (da'akhah): Smoldering, nearly extinguished, flickering. Describes a flame that is weak and about to go out.
- יִכְבֶּה (yikbeh): Will extinguish, quench. Future tense, indicating the act of putting out a flame completely.
- Groups of Words: The phrases "bruised reed" and "flickering wick" form powerful metaphors for vulnerability. The Servant's action of not breaking or extinguishing them reveals his compassion and the preservation of even the weakest and most vulnerable.
Isaiah 42 3 Bonus Section
The fulfillment of this prophecy is profoundly seen in Jesus. He declared himself "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29) and demonstrated this by associating with tax collectors and sinners, healing the sick, and offering forgiveness. The Gospel accounts repeatedly show Jesus handling people with extraordinary patience and love, never despising the broken or giving up on the weary. His ministry was characterized by restoration, not condemnation. The "bruised reed" can represent individuals burdened by sin or affliction, and the "flickering wick" might symbolize a wavering faith, both of which Jesus patiently sustains and rekindles.
Isaiah 42 3 Commentary
This verse encapsulates the gentle, compassionate nature of God's Servant. He is not a militaristic conqueror, but one who brings salvation with tenderness. The imagery of the bruised reed and flickering wick vividly illustrates his care for the downtrodden and those on the verge of despair. He does not crush the fragile or extinguish the struggling spark of hope. Instead, he nurtures and restores. This is a testament to God's preferential option for the poor and weak, and the Servant's perfect alignment with God's heart.