Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 1:69
And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
69. a horn of salvation ] A natural and frequent metaphor. Eze 29:21, “In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth.” Lam 2:3, “He hath cut off all the horn of Israel.” Psa 132:17; 1Sa 2:10, “He shall exalt the horn of His anointed.” A Rabbinic writer says that there are ten horns those of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, the horn of the Law, of the Priesthood, of the Temple, and of Israel; and some add of the Messiah. They were all placed on the heads of the Israelites till they sinned, and then they were cut off and given to the Gentiles. Schttgen, Hor. Hebr. ad loc. We find the same metaphor in classic writers. “Tunc pauper cornua sumit,” Ov. Art. Am. i. 239; “addis cornua pauperi,” Hor. Od. iii. xxi. 18.
his servant ] The word does not here mean ‘son’ in the original, being the rendering of the Hebrew ebed, Psa 132:10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And hath raised up a horn – A horn is a symbol of strength. The figure is taken from the fact that in horned animals the strength lies in the horn. Particularly, the great power of the rhinoceros or unicorn is manifested by the use of a single horn of great strength, placed on the head near the end of the nose. When the sacred writers, therefore, speak of great strength they often use the word horn, Psa 148:14; Deu 33:17; Dan 7:7-8; Dan 7:21. The word salvation, connected here with the word horn, means that this strength, or this mighty Redeemer, was able to save. It is possible that this whole figure may be taken from the Jewish altar. On each of the four corners of the altar there was an eminence or small projection called a horn. To this persons might flee for safety when in danger, and be safe, 1Ki 1:50; 1Ki 2:28. Compare the notes at Luk 1:11. So the Redeemer may be called the horn of salvation, because those who flee to him are safe.
In the house – In the family, or among the descendants of David.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 69. And hath raised up a horn of salvation] That is, a mighty and glorious Saviour: a quotation from Ps 18:2. Horns are the well known emblems of strength, glory, and power, both in the sacred and profane writers, because the strength and beauty of horned animals consist in their horns. Horns have also been considered as emblems of light; therefore the heathen god Apollo is represented with horns, to point out the power, glory, and excellence of the solar light. The Chaldee paraphrast sometimes translates keren, horn, by malcuth, or malcutha, 1Sa 2:10; Jer 48:25, which signify a kingdom: but it is likely that the allusion is here made to the horns of the altar; and as the altar was a place of refuge and safety, and those who laid hold on its horns were considered to be under the protection of the Lord, so, according to the expression of Zacharias, Jesus Christ is a new altar, to which whosoever flees shall find refuge.
Some imagine that this form of speech is taken from the custom of ancient warriors, who had a horn of steel on the top of their helmets, which ordinarily lay flat, till the person came victorious from battle, and then it was erected, as emblematical of the victory gained. Such a horn as this is represented on the helmet of the Abyssinian kings and warriors: see the plates in Bruce’s Travels. To this custom of wearing or lifting up the horn, the following scriptures are thought to allude: 1Sa 2:10; Ps 112:9; Ps 148:4; La 2:17. In ancient gems and coins, this form of the horn on helmets is easily discernible, sometimes flat, sometimes erected. A horn, filled with various fruits, was also the emblem of abundance among the ancients: hence their cornu copia, or horn of plenty. From all this we may learn that the Lord Jesus gives a luminous, powerfuly prevalent, glorious, and abundant SALVATION or REFUGE to mankind.
In the house of his servant David] Or, in the family: so the word , house, is often used in the Sacred Writings. In Lu 1:32, the angel states that Mary was of the family of David; and Zacharias, who, from the nature of his office, must have been well acquainted with the public genealogical tables, attests the same thing. This is a matter of considerable importance; because it shows forth the truth of all the prophetic declarations, which uniformly state that the Messiah should come from the family and sit on the throne of DAVID.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
69. horn of salvationthat is”strength of salvation,” or “mighty Salvation,”meaning the Saviour Himself, whom Simeon calls “Thy Salvation”(Lu 2:30). The metaphor istaken from those animals whose strength is in their horns(Psa 18:2; Psa 75:10;Psa 132:17).
house of . . . DavidThisshows that Mary must have been known to be of the royal line,independent of Joseph; of whom Zacharias, if he knew anything, couldnot know that after this he would recognize Mary.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us,…. Meaning the Messiah, whom God had now raised up:
in the house of his servant David; in David’s family, he being now conceived by a virgin of his house; and who, in a little time, would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. He is called “an horn of salvation”, because he is a powerful Saviour. “Horn” denotes power; it being that to a beast, as the arm is to a man, by which it defends itself, and pushes down its enemies; and “salvation” is the work Christ came to effect, and for which he was raised up, and sent: and a Saviour he is, and a mighty one, as appears from his doing and suffering what he has; as bearing all the sins of his people, and making reconciliation for them; obeying all the precepts of the law, and undergoing the penalty of it; being made a curse, and becoming obedient to death, even the death of the cross: as also, from his delivering them from sin, Satan, and the law, which no other could have done; and from his grappling with, conquering, spoiling, and destroying all his, and our enemies. Moreover, the word “horn” signifies regal power, honour, and dignity; see Da 7:24 and so may not only denote the work of Christ as a Saviour, but his office also as a King, who in the discharge of that is likewise a Saviour; for he not only rules, and governs, but protects, defends, and preserves his, people, by his power; see 1Sa 2:10.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Horn of salvation ( ). A common metaphor in the O.T. (1Sam 2:10; 2Sam 23:3, etc.). It represents strength like the horns of bulls. Cf. Ps. 132:17.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Horn. Compare Psa 132:17.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us,” (kai egiren keras soterias emin) “And has raised an horn of salvation or deliverance for us,” a horn refers to strength and power, as an horned animal, (Dan 7:7-8; Dan 7:20. A mighty salvation worthy of praise, meaning the Savior Himself, as referred to by the aged Simeon as “Thy Salvation,” Luk 2:30.
2) “In the house of his servant David;” (en oiko David paidos autou) “In the house-lineage of David his child-servant,” indicating that Mary was of the royal lineage of David, independent of Joseph, Luk 3:23; 2 Samuel 11-16.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
69. He hath raised up the horn of salvation That is, saving power: (71) for, when the throne of David was cast down, and the people scattered, the hope of salvation had to all appearance perished. Zacharias alludes to the predictions of the prophets, which hold out that a sudden revival would take place, when the state of affairs should have become melancholy and desperate. This mode of expression is borrowed from the passage,
“
There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed,” (Psa 132:17.)
But if it is only in Christ that God has put forth his power to save us, we are not at liberty to depart from that method, if we desire to obtain salvation from God. Let it be also observed, that this horn brings salvation to believers, but terror to the ungodly, whom it scatters, or bruises and lays prostrate.
Of his servant David He is so denominated, not only because, like any one of the godly, he worshipped God, but for this other reason, that he was his chosen servant to rule and save his people, and thus to represent, along with his successors, the person and office of Christ. Though there remained among the Jews, at that time, no trace of a kingdom, Zacharias, resting on the promises of God, does not hesitate to call David the servant of God, in whom God gave an example of the salvation which was to come. (72) Now that the throne of Christ is erected amongst us, that thence he may govern us, it follows that he is actually appointed to us the author of salvation.
(71) “ C’est a dire, une vertu et puissance pleine de salut.” — “That is, a power and might full of salvation
(72) “ Specimen futurae salutis;” — “ pource que Dieu l’avoit dresse pour figure et tesmoignage du salut a venir;” — “because God had set him up for a figure and proof of the salvation to come.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(69) Hath raised up an horn of salvation.The symbolism of the horn comes from Psa. 132:17, where it is used of the representative of the House of David, and answers to the Anointed of the other clause of the verse. It originated obviously in the impression made by the horns of the bull or stag, as the symbols of strength. Here, following in the steps of the Psalmist, Zacharias uses it as a description of the coming Christ, who is to be raised up in the House of David.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
69. Raised up a horn of salvation This image of his Church is taken from nature, after the simplicity of primitive times. A horn is the strength, power, and beauty of the animal that wears it; and so it became an image of power, both in the ancient classic writers and in the Old Testament. So Psa 132:17: “I will make the horn of David to bud.” From signifying power as a quality, the word is made to signify a power, kingdom, or king.
Rev 17:12: “The ten horns thou sawest are ten kings.”
Jer 48:25: “The horn of Moab is cut off.” So here it is applied to the Messiah about to be born.
House Family lineage, as we say, The house of Bourbon, or of Brunswick.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David.’
And He is doing this by raising up a mighty weapon of deliverance in the house of His servant David. The promised Davidic king was coming as a ‘horn of salvation’ (in Psa 18:2 ‘the horn of my salvation’ is the Lord Himself delivering him from all his troubles). A ‘horn’ indicated power and strength. It was through their horns that earthly creatures exerted their power (compare Deu 33:17). And the Davidic king was seen as God’s horn of salvation (compare Num 24:8). But note that in Luk 1:77 ‘salvation’ clearly includes the forgiveness of sins. So this is not just political. The coming of David’s son will not only bring deliverance but will also open up a fountain for sin and uncleanness (Zec 13:1).
We note there that this confirms that Mary is of Davidic descent, for no one could at this stage know whether Joseph would go through with the marriage (he nearly did not).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Ver. 69. An horn of salvation ] A cornucopia, or a mighty Saviour, qui instar bovis cornupetae inimicos populi Dei prosternat atque deieciat (Piscater), that can bestir him much better than that he-goat, Alexander the Great, who had a notable horn between his eyes, wherewith he cast down the ram to the ground, and stamped upon him, &c., Dan 8:7 . Macedones tunc temporis Aegeades, id est caprini dicti sunt. Occasionem vide. (Justin. lib. 7.) The Macedons were at that time called Goat-sprung.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
69. ] a metaphor from horned beasts, who are weak and defenceless without, but formidable with their horns: see reff.; and cf. Hor. Od. iii. 21. 18, ‘addis cornua pauperi.’ There does not seem to be any allusion (Selden, &c.) to the horns of the altar the mere notion of a refuge is never connected with the Messiah’s Kingdom.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 1:69 . . = , because kings were anointed with a horn of oil, or = , because in their horn all horned animals have their power (Euthy. Zig.); a thoroughly Hebrew symbol. ., pointing to a descendant of David, who has wrought signal deliverance for Israel.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
an horn of salvation. A Hebraism. See Psa 132:17. 1Sa 2:1, 1Sa 2:10. Eze 29:21.
His servant David. See Psa 132:10.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
69.] -a metaphor from horned beasts, who are weak and defenceless without, but formidable with their horns: see reff.; and cf. Hor. Od. iii. 21. 18, addis cornua pauperi. There does not seem to be any allusion (Selden, &c.) to the horns of the altar-the mere notion of a refuge is never connected with the Messiahs Kingdom.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 1:69. , a horn) Psa 132:17. This term signifies abundance and kingly strength. The article was not suitable to be added at that early period. So also Luk 1:68; Luk 1:71; Luk 1:78. Afterwards the fact of itself claimed these names more openly as belonging to Jesus Christ alone.-, of salvation) In allusion to the name, Jesus: comp. Luk 1:71; Luk 1:77. John only gave the knowledge of salvation: the Lord gave salvation itself.-, David) Psa 132:17; Psa 132:6.-) , servant, Psa 132:10.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
horn of
(See Scofield “Rom 1:16”)
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
an: 1Sa 2:10, 2Sa 22:3, Psa 18:2, Psa 132:17, Psa 132:18, Eze 29:21
in: 2Sa 7:26, 1Ki 11:13, Psa 89:3, Psa 89:20-37, Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7, Isa 11:1-9, Jer 23:5, Jer 23:6, Jer 33:15-26, Eze 34:23, Eze 34:24, Eze 37:24, Eze 37:25, Amo 9:11, Mar 11:10, Rom 1:2, Rom 1:3, Rev 22:16
Reciprocal: 1Ki 1:48 – Blessed 1Ki 11:36 – David 1Ki 15:4 – give him 2Ch 6:4 – Blessed 2Ch 21:7 – as he promised Psa 18:50 – to his Psa 75:10 – but the horns Psa 92:10 – But Psa 106:4 – visit Psa 132:11 – Of the fruit Isa 7:13 – O house Isa 16:5 – in mercy Isa 42:6 – and give Jer 21:12 – house Jer 30:9 – General Jer 33:14 – General Jer 33:21 – may Lam 2:3 – the horn Eze 21:27 – until Mat 1:1 – the son of David Mat 22:42 – The Son Luk 2:11 – unto Act 2:30 – he Act 13:23 – this Act 13:26 – to you Act 15:16 – build again the tabernacle Act 26:6 – the promise Rom 9:4 – promises Heb 2:3 – so Rev 5:6 – seven horns
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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This whole speech of Zacharias was on a theme that combined the work of John and Christ, with the weight of, it in favor of the latter. This priest was happy to be the father of the forerunner of the Saviour of his people. Horn of salvation refers to the power that Christ would have to be able to save the people.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 1:69. A horn of salvation for us. This well-known figure of the Old Testament (1Sa 2:10; Psa 132:17), alluding to the horns of beasts as their formidable weapon of defence, points out here a strong, powerful defender, to rise in the house of his servant David. An allusion to the horns of the altar is unlikely.
Luk 1:70 is parenthetical.
By the month of his holy prophets. The same thought which was expressed by Mary (Luk 1:55). They believed that God had made special promises respecting the coming of Christ (Messianic prophecies), that this application of prophecy was not something added to their meaning, but their real meaning.Of old. This is more literal and more correct than the E. V. The expression implies that the promise of the Messiah was from the beginning.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 69
The horn was, among the Hebrews, a symbol of power.–In the house of his servant David; that is, in his family; among his descendants.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
1:69 And hath raised up an {i} horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
(i) This word “horn”, in the Hebrew language, signifies strength, and it is a metaphor taken from beasts that fight with their horns: And by raising up the might of Israel is meant that the kingdom of Israel was defended, and the enemies of it laid on the ground, even then when the strength of Israel seemed to be utterly gone.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Zechariah alluded to God’s promise to raise up a horn, symbolic of strength, of salvation from David’s descendants (i.e., a mighty Savior, Psa 132:17; cf. Psa 18:2). He was not speaking of John but Jesus. Zechariah knew of Jesus’ coming birth because of Mary’s three-month visit (Luk 1:56). The other prophets in view are all those who spoke of the coming Messiah.