Commentary for Isaiah 42:3

A breaking reed he shall not break Jonathan paraphrases: The meek, who are like a breaking reed, shall not break, and the poor, who are like a flickering candle, shall not be quenched.

A bruised reed. This is a prolepsis, like And stripped the naked of their clothing (Job 22:6). He will not break a reed, is figuratively said for he will not act by violence.

and a flickering flaxen wick A wet flaxen wick, that is nearly extinguished. Their king will not rob the poor and will not break the poor and the weak.

ופשתה כהה לא יכבנה And glimmering²A. V., Smoking. Dark.—The literal translation according to I. E. on Lev. 13:6 is decreasing.²A. V., Smoking. Dark.—The literal translation according to I. E. on Lev. 13:6 is decreasing.³He will not put out the (burning) flax, which will then be glimmering. The Hebrew text has the words עד שתהיה כהה which are identical in meaning with the preceding נקרא על סופו. flax shall he not quench. Flax is easily put out. Glimmering flax is here a prolepsis. כהה thin; comp. כהה hath become smaller (Lev. 13:6). There is, however, some difference between these two words; that in Leviticus is a verb, the word used here is an adjective. The meaning of the whole verse is: The prophet does no harm to any nation by his prophecies; he is but proclaiming what is to come in future.

He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. The judgment upon each nation, as it is decreed by the Lord, is meant.