Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 29:21
In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.
21. The passage concludes with a promise to Israel.
In that day ] An indefinite term common in all the prophets. The ref. is to the general time when Neb. shall have humbled Egypt. After that shall the time of Israel’s prosperity come in. Cf. Isa 4:2; Isa 11:10; Isa 19:18-19.
the horn of the house ] I will cause a horn to bud forth to the house of Israel. The “horn” is the symbol of power (Lam 4:3); with the budding of the horn power waxes or is exhibited. The ref. is general, to the restoration of Israel to prosperity and influence, hardly particularly to the raising up of the personal Messiah (Psa 132:17). On figure cf. 1Ki 22:11; Amo 6:13; Jer 48:25; 1Sa 2:1.
the opening ] opening of. The prophet felt his mouth closed by the incredulity of the people, and the improbability, as it seemed to them, of his predictions. His mouth was opened and he had boldness of speech when his anticipations were verified. It is the causing of a horn to bud to Israel that will give the prophet opening of the mouth. All his prophecies since the exile had been prophecies of Israel’s restoration, and Israel’s restored felicity will fulfil them. The phrase give thee opening of the mouth means little more than give verification to thy words. The idea of the prophet’s own presence when this occurs is hardly to be pressed.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 21. Will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud] This may refer generally to the restoration; but particularly to Zerubbabel, who became one of the leaders of the people from Babylon. Or it may respect Daniel, or Mordecai, or Jeconiah, who, about this time, was brought out of prison by Evil-merodach, and afterwards kindly treated.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In that day; about that time, when Egypt was spoiled, Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon, his wars first, and soon after his life, ended, about four or five years after his return out of Egypt into Babylon; for about the thirty-seventh or thirty-eighth of his reign he finished his conquest of Egypt, and in the forty-third year he died at Babylon.
The horn; Jehoiachin by Evil-merodach was advanced, Jer 52:31-33; beside dignities given to Daniel, the three children, and many others, under whose authority and favour the affairs of the Jews began, as a root that hath life in it, to spring and flourish; and whatever was the more immediate visible cause that prevailed with Evil-merodach, we are sure the principal cause was this, Gods mercy and veracity, who had promised he would do it, and foretold the time when he would begin to do it.
The opening of the mouth; thou shalt with greater authority be heard speaking, when the sorrows thou foretoldest, and the joys thou promisedst, both come to pass; and both Jews and Babylonians shall see and own it; or, thou shalt have liberty and freedom, as well as will and cause to speak, to open thy mouth in comforting the good among them, and to give praise to God, who revived their hopes, and made them know him as the Lord their God.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. In the evil only, not in thegood, was Egypt to be parallel to Israel. The very downfall of Egyptwill be the signal for the rise of Israel, because of God’s covenantwith the latter.
I cause the horn of . . .Israel to bud (Ps 132:17).I will cause its ancient glory to revive: an earnest of Israel’s fullglory under Messiah, the son of David (Lu1:69). Even in Babylon an earnest was given of this in Daniel (Da6:2) and Jeconiah (Jer 52:31).
I will give thee . . .opening of . . . mouthWhen thy predictions shall have come topass, thy words henceforth shall be more heeded (compare Eze24:27).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth,…. Not at the time of Egypt’s destruction, unless it can be thought that this refers to the advancement of Daniel in the court of Babylon; or to the taking of Jehoiachin out of prison, and setting his throne above the rest of the kings; which events came to pass a little after this: but rather this respects the time of Egypt’s restoration forty years after, when Cyrus came to the throne, and proclaimed liberty to the Jews to return to their own land, and build their city and temple, under the government of Zerubbabel their prince: besides, it may not be limited to either of these times, but may regard the famous day, when the kingdom of Israel, in a spiritual sense, should flourish under the Messiah, the Horn of salvation, and Branch of David, often promised to bud forth, and was fulfilled in Jesus,
Ps 132:17. The Targum is,
“in that day will I bring redemption to the house of Israel.”
And I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; in prophecy among them, as the Targum; who after this, might deliver other prophecies, though we have no account of them; or he should have boldness and courage when he and they should see his prophecies fulfilled, by which it would appear that he was a true prophet of the Lord:
and they shall know that I am the Lord; who sent the prophet, and from whom he had these prophecies, and by whom they were fulfilled.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(21) In that day.The tenses here change to the future, indicating that if the conquest of Egypt had already taken place, its consequences to Israel were to be only gradually developed. These consequences were primarily the conviction of the futility of trust in any earthly aid, and hence a turning to their neglected God, and, as a result of this, the giving up of their long cherished idolatries. The prophet speaks of this as only in germ, but looking on to its further development, under the figure of making a horn to bud forth, that is, to sprout or grow. (Comp. Psa. 132:17.) Israels reviving prosperity should date from the destruction of its trust in earthly aid.
The opening of the mouth.This is elsewhere (Eze. 24:27) promised to the prophet as a consequence of the fall of Jerusalem, of which he had heard (Eze. 33:21-22) more than fourteen years before. There is no recorded prophecy of Ezekiels of later date; the expression must therefore be understood of those encouraging and helpful instructions of the prophet, as the people improved under the discipline of the captivity, which it was not seen fitting to put on permanent record.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21. The horn of the house of Israel to bud R.V., “an horn to bud forth unto the house of Israel.” The horn is the symbol of power (Psa 132:17; Lam 2:3). Israel’s power, which had seemed utterly broken, is to spring up again, and when the people shall see this verification of prophecy they will be glad to have Ezekiel again open his mouth and teach. (Compare Eze 24:27.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“In that day I will cause a horn to bud forth to the house of Israel, and I will give you the opening of your mouth among them, and they will know that I am Yahweh.”
A horn is the symbol of strength and power ( 1Sa 2:1 ; 1Ki 22:11; Psa 92:10; Jer 48:25). It was the means by which animals exerted their superiority. Thus in some way Israel were to be given strength at the time of the invasion and victory. Indeed Ezekiel himself may be that horn, for they would begin to listen to his words and take heed to them, and learn Who Yahweh really is. And in the end that was Ezekiel’s purpose.
Alternately it may refer to one of the leaders whom Yahweh would use in their restoration. It does not matter which one. All were horns given by Yahweh, all looking forward to the great Son of David yet to come (Eze 34:23-24; Eze 37:24).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 29:21. In that day will I cause the horn, &c. That is to say, after the destruction of God’s and his church’s enemies, the kingdom and state of the Jews shall flourish again, particularly under the Messiah, as is more clearly foretold, chap. Eze 34:23, &c. Eze 37:21, &c. See also chap. Eze 24:27.
REFLECTIONS.1st, The date of this prophesy is observable. It was just at the time when the Egyptian army was advancing to raise the siege of Jerusalem, and when the Jews confidently expected relief from their approach. The vain hopes that sinners entertain are often most sanguine, when their ruin is nearest.
The prophesy is directed against Egypt and her king, represented by a great dragon, or crocodile, lying in the river Nile. We have here,
1. His pride. He lieth in the midst of his rivers, secure, at ease, and rolling in wealth and pleasures; and hath said, My river is mine own, I have made it for myself; as if he reigned independent of God, and owed to himself alone the monarchy that he possessed. Thus pride calls God’s gifts our own, and, self-idolaters, we leave him far above out of our sight.
2. The judgment executed on Pharaoh. I am against thee, or above thee, able and determined to punish his arrogance. God will put hooks in his jaws, and with all the fish which stick to his scales, his numerous forces, will drag him out of his rivers, and in the wilderness give him, with all his army, for a prey to the beasts of the field, and to the fowls of the heaven. Note; Pride is the prelude to destruction; and they who are most secure are usually most exposed.
3. The provocation which most hastened the ruin of Egypt was her falsehood and deceitfulness with regard to the Jewish people. Encouraged by the alliance with Pharaoh, Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon, and now, when he looked for support from Egypt, the staff on which he leaned broke under him, to his vast disappointment and utter consternation, rent his shoulder, brought on him the Chaldean sword, and made all his loins at a stand, compelled to stand alone, and in the greatest amazement, conscious of his own inability to cope with Nebuchadrezzar’s army. It was folly indeed in Zedekiah to rely on such auxiliaries; but their perfidy in deceiving him was not the less criminal, and God will revenge such treachery.
2nd, We have,
1. The terrible overthrow of Egypt foretold. God will make them know by his judgments that he is the Lord, and prove the vanity of their insolent vaunts. The sword of the Chaldeans shall pass through the land, lay all waste before it, cut off man and beast from one end of Egypt to the other, and leave it depopulated, without trade, unfrequented, and like a desart during forty years: the inhabitants in general being slain, or carried into captivity, Egypt was given to Nebuchadrezzar; and if we allow three years for completing the conquest, the forty years will end with the destruction of the Babylonian monarchy by Cyrus, when probably Egypt, as well as the other nations, recovered in some measure her liberty.
2. The restoration of Egypt, when the forty years were expired; not to her former grandeur and magnificence; but, though a kingdom, and flourishing under some of her monarchs, particularly the Ptolemies, yet by repeated conquests at last reduced to its present base and low estate under the Turks, no more the mistress of nations, nor the stay of Israel, to bring their iniquity to remembrance, by their placing dependance upon Egypt, and withdrawing their confidence from God. Note; (1.) God still in wrath remembers mercy. (2.) It is gracious as just in the Lord to remove those creature comforts and confidences which estranged our hearts from him.
3rdly, We have another of Ezekiel’s prophesies in this chapter; but all the prophesies concerning Egypt are laid together.
1. In consideration of the hard service that Nebuchadrezzar underwent before Tyre, the spoil of which so little repaid him for his pains, great part of their effects being removed, as history informs us, before the place was taken, Egypt is given him and his army for their wages; being before weakened by intestine divisions, it fell an easy prey to the conqueror. As the vengeance executed on Tyre was by divine command, God will not suffer Nebuchadrezzar to work without a reward. Note; (1.) Even wicked men, when employed in God’s service, find their account in it; they are paid in the good things of this life. (2.) Many who propose no other end than their own advantage, and perhaps the gratification of their ambition and covetousness, are made by the secret over-ruling providence of God subservient to his designs.
2. A gracious promise is made to Israel. In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud; either at the day of Egypt’s destruction, about which time Daniel and his fellows, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, were so distinguished of God, and honoured by the king of Babylon, (see Dan 1:3; Dan 1:21; Dan 2:49.) or shortly after, when Jehoiachim was enlarged from prison and honourably treated, Jer 52:31-32 or the time here spoken of may refer to the forty years, when the captivity of Israel as well as Egypt should end; and under Zerubbabel and others the nation should revive from its desolations; but, above all, the prophesy refers to the times of the Messiah. And I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them, when the fulfilment of the prophesies would give peculiar force to his exhortations, and embolden him in the work of the Lord. For, though no more of his prophesies are recorded, (these concerning Egypt being the last in order of time,) no doubt he continued a faithful preacher to the people, which could not but prove a singular blessing to them. For when God enlarges the hearts of his faithful servants, and enables them with boldness to speak, it is a gracious symptom that they shall see of the travail of their souls in the salvation of many to whom they minister.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
REFLECTIONS
READER! behold Egypt here humbled for all her sins, and all her oppressions over Israel. Think how long and grievous were her cruelties exercised over the Lord’s heritage! But her time is come, and woe to the oppressor when God ariseth. Oh! how sure and certain it is, that Jesus will account with all the enemies of his people; sooner or later the Lord will recompense sevenfold into their bosom.
Reader! do not overlook, however, God’s grace in man’s humblings. If Egypt be visited by grace, Egypt shall be brought from her captivity. The Lord can, and the Lord hath said he will, raise up an altar to the Lord in the midst of Egypt: and when they cry by reason of the oppressors, the Lord will send them a Saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. Precious Lord Jesus! what may we not hope from thee and thy great salvation? When the Lord Jehovah causeth the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and Jesus shall arise to bless his redeemed, then shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of mine hands, and Israel mine inheritance! Amen.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Eze 29:21 In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.
Ver. 21. The horn, ] i.e., The strength, power, and authority, in the kingdom of Christ especially. Luk 1:69
The opening.
They shall know.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 29:21
21On that day I will make a horn sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth in their midst. Then they will know that I am the LORD.
Eze 29:21 I shall make a horn sprout for the house of Israel Animal horns were a symbol of power and strength. This refers to a national and Messianic restoration (cf. 1Sa 2:10; Psa 132:17; Luk 1:69).
I shall open your mouth YHWH is in control of national and Messianic restoration as He is His prophet. Ezekiel’s message was controlled by YHWH (cf. Eze 3:27; Eze 24:27; Eze 33:22).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
in the midst. Compare Eze 3:26, Eze 3:27; Eze 24:27.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eze 29:21
Eze 29:21
“In that day will I cause a horn to bud forth unto the house of Israel, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.”
A GLIMPSE OF A NEW AGE FOR ISRAEL
The first statement here has the earmarks of a Messianic promise; but the last half of the verse appears to limit it to those projected “better times” when Ezekiel will be able to open his mouth freely unto God’s people, who shall at that time truly learn that the Lord is Jehovah.
We cannot explain exactly how these two declarations relate to each other, or how they belong in the same verse. Nevertheless, we are unwilling to give up the Messianic import of the initial clause.
“In that day” is usually a reference to the Messianic dispensation; and we believe it is that in this verse. Furthermore “a horn” unto the house of David is a prophecy of the revival of the Davidic dynasty; and that took place only in the elevation of Jesus Christ to the right hand of God (Acts 2). Psa 132:17, and Luk 1:69 demonstrate this common usage of the term “horn.”
Keil pointed out that “The horn in this passage is the Messianic salvation. The words are unquestionably connected with God’s promise to Ezekiel in Eze 24:26-27, that after the fall of Jerusalem, the mouth of Ezekiel will be opened; but they have a much more comprehensive meaning, namely, that with the dawn of salvation in Israel, in the church of the Lord, the word of prophecy would sound forth in the richest measure.
This characteristic of sweet promises of the ultimate victory of the people of God is a hallmark of true prophecy. We should be disappointed if it were not here, just as it is in countless other places throughout the Word of God.
Prophecies against Egypt – Eze 29:1 to Eze 32:32
Open It
1. What is one of the most grandiose and self-important statements youve heard anyone make?
2. What are the various traumatic events of life that we can buy insurance to try to soften?
Explore It
3. What attitude or belief on the part of Pharaoh king of Egypt brought him under Gods judgment? (Eze 29:3)
4. What figure of speech is used to describe the power and extent of Gods judgment on Egypt? (Eze 29:4-5)
5. How had Egypt hurt Gods people Israel most recently? (Eze 29:6-7)
6. Over what crucial resource did God want to demonstrate that He had power? (Eze 29:10)
7. How long was the devastation of the land going to last? (Eze 29:11-12)
8. Following the initial punishment, what would be the fate of the kingdom of Egypt? (Eze 29:13-15)
9. What false promise of assistance did God want to eliminate for Israel? (Eze 29:16)
10. About what foreign war did God inform Ezekiel because of its bearing on Egypt? (Eze 29:17-20)
11. What did Ezekiel prophesy about the greatness and wealth of Egypt? (Eze 30:1-4)
12. What great cites, along with their idols, were doomed to destruction? (Eze 30:13-19)
13. In the third word to Ezekiel concerning Egypt, what physical image was used to illustrate how unreliable she was to become as an ally for Israel? (Eze 30:20-26)
14. What formerly great nation is described as a comparison for Egypt? (Eze 31:1-9)
15. Why was Assyria judged like a huge tree that is cut down and abandoned? (Eze 31:10-13)
16. According to the allegory, how did the smaller nations fare who had allied themselves with Assyria? (Eze 31:15-17)
17. To what powerful animals did Ezekiel liken Egypt in his lament? (Eze 32:1-8)
18. What reaction to Egypts downfall was predicted for other peoples and nations? (Eze 32:9-10)
19. What was the consistent complaint against the nations God had already consigned to “the pit”? (Eze 32:22-30)
Get It
20. Why would it be a temptation for Israel to be drawn to Egypt as a source of protection?
21. Why would Pharaoh want to claim that he owned (indeed had made) the Nile River?
22. In what ways do we tend to take credit for things that only God can do?
23. What do Ezekiels prophecies make clear about the rise of Babylon as a conquering power?
24. How might the exiled Jews, who hoped to be rescued by Egypt, have responded to Ezekiels lament for Egypt?
25. How does God feel about great civilizations that are brought low by pride?
26. Why didnt God want His people to rely on Egypt as their salvation from the Babylonian threat?
27. How should Gods sweeping judgments of nations in the Old Testament shape our responses to Him today?
Apply It
28. In what great person, idea, tradition, etc., might you be placing too much of your hope, rather than relying solely on the Lord?
29. For what accomplishment or role do you want to give God credit and glory today?
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
I cause: Eze 28:25, Eze 28:26, 1Sa 2:10, Psa 92:10, Psa 112:9, Psa 132:17, Psa 148:14, Isa 27:6, Jer 23:5, Luk 1:69
the opening: Eze 3:26, Eze 24:27, Eze 33:22, Psa 51:15, Amo 3:7, Amo 3:8, Luk 21:15, Col 4:3, Col 4:4
they shall know: Eze 29:6, Eze 29:9, Eze 29:16
Reciprocal: Eze 3:27 – I will Eze 30:25 – they shall know Mic 7:12 – also Luk 1:64 – his mouth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 29:21. When horn is used figuratively it means power or influence. When the people of Israel see the fulfillment of the prophecies that were delivered by Ezekiel, they will respect his place as a prophet of God. That will cause them to listen to his words and in that sense he will be given the opening of his mouth. As a further result of the entire circumstance, they will be made to know that I am the Lord,
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eze 29:21. In that day The phrase frequently denotes, in the prophets, not the same time which was last mentioned, but an extraordinary season, remarkable for some signal events of providence: in this sense it is to be understood here. I will cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth The horns being the token of strength in beasts, and that in which their power chiefly consists; therefore the word is put to signify strength, or dominion, or a flourishing condition; and therefore to say, that the horn of Israel should bud forth, was as much as to say, that the Jewish nation should grow prosperous, and come to a flourishing condition again. This seems to be spoken of the return of the Jews from their captivity, and settling again in Judea. I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them When thy prophecies are made good by the event, this shall add a new authority to what thou speakest: see Eze 24:27.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
When Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt, the defeat would provide hope for Israel because Egypt was Israel’s ancient enemy. Evidently Nebuchadnezzar invaded and defeated Egypt about 568-567 B.C. [Note: See Josephus, Antiquities . . .,10:9:7.] It would be as though a horn began to grow on Israel, the sign of new strength to come (cf. 1Sa 2:1; 1Ki 22:11; Psa 92:10; Jer 48:25). A horn is also a symbol of Messiah in some passages, and a branch is a symbol in others (cf. Psa 132:17; Isa 4:2; Jer 23:5; Zec 3:8; Luk 1:69), but the context argues against a messianic interpretation here. Furthermore, no Messiah or any other notable ruler appeared in Israel at this time. Some commentators, nevertheless, see a messianic reference here. [Note: E.g., Cooper, pp. 275-76.]
The Lord also promised to open Ezekiel’s mouth then in the midst of the exiles. Formerly the Lord had restrained the prophet from speaking (Eze 3:26), but he long since (since 585 B.C.) had resumed speaking (cf. Eze 33:21-22). The Israelites would be more open to messages from the Lord and more able to assert themselves because their old nemesis had suffered humiliation.
All these events would teach people Yahweh’s unique deity. This is one of the main lessons of the book. The promise occurs in the two oracles in this chapter three times (Eze 29:6; Eze 29:9; Eze 29:16) and in the book more than 40 times.