Isaiah 42:3 KJV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 42:2-3

Isaiah 42:2-3. He shall not cry In a way of contention or ostentation. He shall neither erect nor govern his kingdom with violence or outward pomp and state, like worldly princes, but with meekness and humility. He shall not lift up Namely, his voice; nor cause it to be heard in the street As contentious and vain-glorious persons frequently do. “He shall instruct those that oppose themselves, with all meekness and gentleness; he shall patiently endure the contradictions of sinners... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 42:1-25

Success and failure of God’s servant (42:1-25)In the previous chapter the servant of Yahweh was identified with Israel (see 41:8). Israel is probably again the servant who is identified here, but the ideals outlined in this song never became a reality in the nation. They did, to some extent, characterize the faithful remnant, but they found their perfect expression only in the one who embodied the ideals God desired, Jesus Christ. The prophet foresees that this servant of Yahweh, though... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Isaiah 42:3

the smoking flax: i.e. the wick (made of flax) that is burning dim. flax. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), for the wick made of it. not quench: i.e. not put it out, but trim it and make it burn brightly. This was the servant's work. unto = in accordance with. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 42:2-3

Isaiah 42:2-3. He shall not cry, &c.— This beautiful passage sets forth not only the method of this great teacher's instruction, but also the kind and quality of that instruction. Indeed, there is so close an affinity between these, that the one involves the other; for the manner of teaching ought to be conformable to the doctrine itself, and its quality; which is here set forth as peaceable and consolatory. In the first place it is said, that he shall not cry; —he shall not strive,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 42:3

3. bruised—"It pleased the Lord to bruise Him" (Isaiah 53:5; Isaiah 53:10; Genesis 3:15); so He can feel for the bruised. As Genesis 3:15- : described His unturbulent spirit towards His violent enemies (Matthew 12:14-16), and His utter freedom from love of notoriety, so Genesis 3:15- :, His tenderness in cherishing the first spark of grace in the penitent (Isaiah 40:11). reed—fragile: easily "shaken with the wind" (Isaiah 40:11- :). Those who are at best feeble, and who besides are oppressed by... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 42:1-9

God’s promises to His servants 41:1-42:9The intent of this unit of material was to assure Israel that God had both the power and the desire to deliver her and to bring salvation to the whole world. It contains three basic themes: the pagans’ inability to refute Yahweh’s sovereignty, the promise to deliver fearful Israel, and the divine plan to use an ideal servant as redeemer. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 42:3

The Lord’s Servant would be gracious and patient. He would not discard what seemed to others useless, and He would not extinguish what seemed to others too spent. His calling was to save, not destroy. He would be faithful to His calling to bring forth justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1; cf. Isaiah 11:3-4). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 42:1-25

The Ideal Servant1-9. The characteristics and functions of Israel as the ideal Servant of Jehovah. 10-17 A song of praise to Jehovah. 18-25. The deficiencies of the actual Israel, considered as Jehovah’s Servant.1. My servant] On the conception of these chapters see Intro. Judgment] or ’right.’ The Servant’s office is to teach the world true religion. 2, 3. He will not be ostentatious nor unduly severe. How Christ corresponded to the ideal is noted in Matthew 12:17-21; 3. Smoking flax] RM... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 42:3

(3) A bruised reed shall he not break . . .—Physical, moral, spiritual weakness are all brought under the same similitude. In another context the image has met us in Isaiah 36:6. The simple negative “he shall not break” implies, as in the rhetoric of all times, the opposite extreme, the tender care that props and supports. The humanity of the servant of the Lord was to embody what had been already predicated of the Divine will (Psalms 51:17). The dimly burning flax, the wick of a lamp nearly... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Isaiah 42:1-25

The Smoking Flax Isaiah 42:3 Let us try to gather up the thoughts contained in these two images. They are slightly different, but one thought underlies them both. The one refers chiefly to God, the other to man. I. The idea of the first is taken from one of the shepherd's pipes one of those little musical pipes crushed and trampled under foot. The other picture is taken from the lamp in the temple, burning feebly and dimly, giving forth black smoke rather than light. 1. The 'bruised reed'. A... read more