What is the gospel?

[Arial]

Can you show that the Hebrew word translated "bruise" is used in scripture to mean defeat?

That is somewhat irrelevant as the usage of a word is not always the same. We should go by the definition of a word and the context it is in. The whole of scripture shows us that Christ was bruised by Satan, but not defeated, (though a case could be made that he was defeated in that he died on the cross. But his victory was in that death and the very reason he came) and that Satan was defeated by Christ. And as @prism said in Gen 3:15 we must consider "head" and "heel". It is a crucial part of the context. If we do that using the Hebrew words translated, "bruise", "head", and "heel" and how they were used in the culture at the time, here is what we find.



Original Word: שׁוּף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shuwph
Pronunciation: shoof
Phonetic Spelling: (shoof)
Definition: To bruise, crush
Meaning: to gape, snap at, to overwhelm

Usage: "The Hebrew verb "shuph" primarily means to bruise or crush. It is used in the context of inflicting a wound or injury, often with a connotation of a decisive or significant impact. The term is notably used in a prophetic context, indicating a struggle or conflict with a definitive outcome.
"In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the Imagery of bruising or crushing was often associated with conflict and victory. The act of crushing an enemy symbolized total defeat and dominance. In the biblical context, this term is used to convey the ultimate victory of good over evil, as seen in the protoevangelium (the first gospel) in Genesis." (From Strong's)

Your head: yə-šū-p̄ə-ḵā 7779 rosh
Cultural and historical background: "In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of "head" (rosh) was often associated with leadership and authority. The head was considered the seat of intellect and decision making, and thus, "rosh" came to symbolize leadership and hierarchy.

Heel: ‘ā-qêḇ. 6119 [e]

Word Origin: Derived from the root עָקַב (aqab) meaning 'To follow at the heel, or 'to overreach.'

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern culture, the heel was often associated with the idea of following or pursuing. The concept of the heel is significant in the account of Jacob, whose name (Ya'akov) is related to "aqueb" in grasping Esau's heel at birth, symbolizing his later actions in supplanting his brother. The heel also appears in the context of vulnerability, as seen in the prophecy of Gen 3:15, where the serpent is said to bruise the heel of the woman's seed.

 

[prism]

Yes.
And Greek also.

But in this instance, anyone can use a good concordance that shows where the same word is used elsewhere in scripture.
Which is why I keep asking for someone to show that scripture uses the word to mean "defeat".
Wouldn't practicing good exegesis demand that one seeks how scripture has used the word in other verses?

Where did I ever use the word 'defeat' to mean bruise? I already shown different translations translate the word 'bruise' differently.
My original point, was this passage has been used as the first mention of the Gospel by evangelical scholars down through the centuries, but you seem to disagree. That's your perogative.

 

[Arial]

We might have a slightly different perspective of the cross because I don't believe it was His death on the cross that freed us from death but was His resurrection.
For Paul tells us that if Christ was not raised then our faith is in vain.
1 Corinthians 15 ESV(17) And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Jesus had to die before he could be resurrected. His death was a substitutionary death, nailing our sins to the cross. Paul, in that passage is dealing with a false teaching that denied the resurrection of Christ. And the hope of our faith is our future resurrection. And if Christ was not resurrected that is a vain hope. Chris't resurrection was proof that death had been defeated. The promise of our future resurrection is proof that he faced death for us and conquered it.

I don't have a problem with either translation as long as the word being translated has a clear meaning.
My point is that the Hebrew word translated as "bruise" or "crush" does not = defeat.
If it did then the phrase would read: "He will defeat your head, and you will defeat his heel".

"Bruise" or "crush" are being used in the ancient Near Eastern metaphorical way, as are "head" and "heel." The serpent was attempting to supplant the seed of the woman and did so from that day forward, even before Christ came by destroying every Seed bearer. Why? To keep Christ from crushing his head----destroying the serpents power and eventually destroying him altogether. Like a sheep dog nipping at the heels of the sheep."Bruise" does not have to be translated as "defeat" in order for Gen 3:15 to be the first gospel message in the Bible. It is "good news". What the serpent successfully instigated in the Garden of Eden was going to be undone by a specific seed of the woman. And that Seed is Christ.

 

[Arial]

But we don't have anywhere in scripture that refers to the curses of Genesis 3 to be the gospel.

Gen 3:15 is the good news. The gospel begins way before the mediator of the gospel arrives. It actually began before creation and was first spoken in Gen 3:15. And it never left the pages of the OT as to the historical working of it and the prophecy.

 

[Tambora]

That is somewhat irrelevant as the usage of a word is not always the same. We should go by the definition of a word and the context it is in. The whole of scripture shows us that Christ was bruised by Satan, but not defeated, (though a case could be made that he was defeated in that he died on the cross. But his victory was in that death and the very reason he came) and that Satan was defeated by Christ. And as @prism said in Gen 3:15 we must consider "head" and "heel". It is a crucial part of the context. If we do that using the Hebrew words translated, "bruise", "head", and "heel" and how they were used in the culture at the time, here is what we find.



Original Word: שׁוּף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shuwph
Pronunciation: shoof
Phonetic Spelling: (shoof)
Definition: To bruise, crush
Meaning: to gape, snap at, to overwhelm

Usage: "The Hebrew verb "shuph" primarily means to bruise or crush. It is used in the context of inflicting a wound or injury, often with a connotation of a decisive or significant impact. The term is notably used in a prophetic context, indicating a struggle or conflict with a definitive outcome.
"In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the Imagery of bruising or crushing was often associated with conflict and victory. The act of crushing an enemy symbolized total defeat and dominance. In the biblical context, this term is used to convey the ultimate victory of good over evil, as seen in the protoevangelium (the first gospel) in Genesis." (From Strong's)

Your head: yə-šū-p̄ə-ḵā 7779 rosh
Cultural and historical background: "In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of "head" (rosh) was often associated with leadership and authority. The head was considered the seat of intellect and decision making, and thus, "rosh" came to symbolize leadership and hierarchy.

Heel: ‘ā-qêḇ. 6119 [e]

Word Origin: Derived from the root עָקַב (aqab) meaning 'To follow at the heel, or 'to overreach.'

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern culture, the heel was often associated with the idea of following or pursuing. The concept of the heel is significant in the account of Jacob, whose name (Ya'akov) is related to "aqueb" in grasping Esau's heel at birth, symbolizing his later actions in supplanting his brother. The heel also appears in the context of vulnerability, as seen in the prophecy of Gen 3:15, where the serpent is said to bruise the heel of the woman's seed.

The context of, and surrounding, Gen 3:15 is not about the victory over the serpent.
Both the head and the heel are bruised.
It is about all the sorrows creation (and Christ) suffers due to the rebellion of the serpent, the woman, and the man.

 

[Arial]

The context of, and surrounding, Gen 3:15 is not about the victory over the serpent.
Both the head and the heel are bruised.
It is about all the sorrows creation (and Christ) suffers due to the rebellion of the serpent, the woman, and the man.

Okay. But we are discussing Gen 3:15 which was directed at the serpent and a promise of God made concerning what happened. Do you not think the seed of the woman refers to Christ?

What did Jesus do?

What happened to the serpent?

What did the serpent do to Jesus?

What did Jesus do to the serpent?

Isn't that the very thing God promised?