In biblical literature, the concept of "bruising" carries both physical and metaphorical significance. It is often associated with suffering, punishment, and the consequences of sin, as well as the promise of redemption and victory over evil.

Old Testament References

The first mention of bruising occurs in Genesis 3:15, a pivotal verse often referred to as the "Protoevangelium" or "First Gospel." Here, God addresses the serpent after the Fall of Man, saying, "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" . This passage is interpreted as a prophecy of the coming Messiah, who would ultimately defeat Satan. The "bruising" of the heel signifies the suffering and crucifixion of Christ, while the crushing of the serpent's head symbolizes Christ's victory over sin and death.

In Isaiah 53:5, the suffering of the Messiah is further elaborated: "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" here is synonymous with bruising, indicating the severe affliction endured by the Messiah for the redemption of humanity.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament writers see the fulfillment of these prophecies in the life and work of Jesus Christ. In Romans 16:20, Paul reassures the believers, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you" . This verse echoes the promise of Genesis 3:15, affirming the ultimate defeat of Satan through the power of Christ.

In the Gospels, the physical bruising of Jesus is evident during His passion. Matthew 27:30 describes how the Roman soldiers "spat on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly" . This physical abuse is part of the suffering that Jesus willingly endured to fulfill the prophecies and secure salvation for mankind.

Theological Implications

The theme of bruising in the Bible underscores the reality of sin and its consequences, as well as the profound love and sacrifice of Christ. It highlights the tension between suffering and redemption, illustrating how God uses what appears to be defeat to achieve ultimate victory. The bruising of Christ is not merely a physical event but a spiritual triumph, demonstrating God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of bruising serves as a reminder of the cost of sin and the depth of Christ's love. It calls Christians to live in the light of Christ's victory, embracing the hope and peace that come from His sacrifice. The assurance that God will ultimately crush Satan under the feet of His people encourages perseverance and faithfulness in the face of trials and spiritual battles.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bruise.6481. patsa -- to bruise, wound by bruising
... patsa. 6482 . to bruise, wound by bruising. Transliteration: patsa Phonetic Spelling:
(paw-tsah') Short Definition: emasculated. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6481.htm - 6k

A Crushed Snake
... Is there any surer way of 'bruising Satan' under a man's feet than filling him
'with joy and peace in believing'? What can the Devil do to that man? ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/a crushed snake.htm

Christ's Work of Destruction and Deliverance. Rev. John H. James.
... The bruising of the serpent's head by the bruised heel of the Saviour, in order
to repair the ruin wrought by the tempter, suggests very significantly the ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/christs work of destruction and.htm

The Suffering Servant --iv
... Our iniquities, like the wind, have carried us away.' But mark that here, however
understood, the prophet paints a figure so sinless that God's bruising Him is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the suffering servantiv.htm

Hymns of Wales.
... The text, "He was wounded for our transgressions," is amplified in this hymn, and
the Saviour is shown bruising Himself while bruising the serpent. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter xi hymns of wales.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; "Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my
speech: For I have slain a man for wounding me, and a young man for bruising me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Christ the Conqueror of Satan
... with the fiend. Then it was that our Champion began the last fight of all
and won it to the bruising of the serpent's head. Nor did ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 22 1876/christ the conqueror of satan.htm

The Death of Christ
... is moreover, true that the unutterable agonies that clothed the death of the Saviour
with superhuman terror, were the effect of the Father's bruising of Christ ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the death of christ.htm

Refutation of the Jews
... Chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His bruising we are healed." [44]
O marvel at the love of the Word for men, for it is on our account that He is ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm

I Desire to Die.
... Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let breakings, tearings,
and separations of bones; let cutting off of members; let bruising to pieces of ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the romans/chapter v i desire to die.htm

But If, for the Contest's Sake, God had Appointed Martyrdoms for ...
... for the contest's sake, God had appointed martyrdoms for us, that thereby we might
make trial with our opponent, in order that He may now keep bruising him by ...
/.../tertullian/scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter vi but if for.htm

Bruising (5 Occurrences)
...Bruising (5 Occurrences). ... You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain
a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. (WEB JPS ASV). ...
/b/bruising.htm - 8k

Zillah (3 Occurrences)
... You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me,
a young man for bruising me. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/z/zillah.htm - 7k

Oppressing (11 Occurrences)
... Amos 4:1 Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, Who 'are' in the mountain of Samaria,
Who are oppressing the poor, Who are bruising the needy, Who are saying to ...
/o/oppressing.htm - 10k

Lamech (11 Occurrences)
... You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me,
a young man for bruising me. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lamech.htm - 12k

Leaves (55 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:39 Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him
so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. ...
/l/leaves.htm - 24k

Grate (6 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To make a harsh sound by friction. 9. (vi) To produce the effect of rubbing
with a hard rough material; to cause wearing, tearing, or bruising. ...
/g/grate.htm - 10k

Wounding (24 Occurrences)
... You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me,
a young man for bruising me. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/wounding.htm - 13k

Injuring (4 Occurrences)
... voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man
for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. (See NIV). ...
/i/injuring.htm - 7k

Foam (5 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:39 Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him
so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. ...
/f/foam.htm - 9k

Foams (3 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:39 Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him
so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. ...
/f/foams.htm - 7k

Why does God allow people to be disabled / handicapped? | GotQuestions.org

Why did blood and water come out of Jesus' side when He was pierced? | GotQuestions.org

What does Genesis 3:15 mean that “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel”? | GotQuestions.org

Bruising: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus