Bruise
Bruise [1]
(the rendering of several Hebrew words) is used in Scripture in a variety of significations, but implies figuratively doubts, fears, anguish on account of the prevalence of sin. Satan is said to bruise the heel of Christ ( Genesis 3:15). Christ is said to bruise the head of Satan when he crushes his designs, despoils him of his power, and enables his people to tread his temptations under their feet (Romans 19:20). Our Lord was bruised when he had inflicted on him the fearful punishment due to our sins ( Isaiah 53:5). The King of Egypt is called a bruised reed, to mark the weak and broken state of his kingdom, and his inability to help such as depended on him ( 2 Kings 18:21). Weak saints are bruised reeds which Christ will not break ( Isaiah 42:3; Luke 4:18). (See Reed).
