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.

In that day {H3117} will I cause {H6779} the horn {H7161} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} to bud forth {H6779}, and I will give {H5414} thee the opening {H6610} of the mouth {H6310} in the midst {H8432} of them; and they shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

'When that day comes I will cause power to return to the house of Isra'el, and I will enable you [Yechezk'el] to open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am ADONAI.'"

In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth to speak among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.โ€

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.

Commentary

Ezekiel 29:21 marks a significant shift in tone within Ezekiel's prophecies concerning Egypt, offering a glimpse of future hope and restoration for Israel amidst the pronouncements of judgment.

Context

This verse concludes a lengthy prophecy against Egypt, which spans the entire chapter and extends into Ezekiel 30-32. The previous verses detail the downfall of Pharaoh and his kingdom as a consequence of their pride and their unreliability as an ally to Israel (cf. Ezekiel 29:6-7). Amidst this judgment on a foreign nation, God pivots to His enduring covenant with Israel, promising a future restoration and the validation of His prophet's words.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration of Israel's Strength: The phrase "cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth" powerfully symbolizes the renewal of Israel's strength, dignity, and power. The "horn" is a common biblical metaphor for might and authority. This promise points to a future time when Israel, humbled by exile, would be revitalized by God's hand, ultimately fulfilled in the Messianic era.
  • Validation of Prophetic Authority: "I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them" refers directly to Ezekiel. After periods where his prophetic voice might have been restricted or met with disbelief (as seen in Ezekiel 3:26), God promises to fully restore and affirm his ability to speak God's truth clearly and powerfully among the exiles. This signifies a renewed receptiveness to God's word among the people.
  • God's Self-Revelation: The recurring declaration, "and they shall know that I am the LORD," is a central theme throughout the book of Ezekiel. It underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Through both judgment and restoration, God reveals His true identity and power, ensuring that His people and the nations recognize Him as the one true God. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential, born out of divine intervention.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "horn" is qeren (ืงึถืจึถืŸ), consistently used in Scripture to denote strength, power, and even glory (e.g., 1 Samuel 2:1). Its "budding forth" signifies a new, vigorous growth and resurgence.
  • "Opening of the mouth" (ืคึถึผืชึทื— ืคึถึผื”, pethaแธฅ peh) signifies divine enablement for speech, particularly prophetic utterance. It implies clarity, authority, and freedom from impediment, allowing God's message to be delivered effectively.

Related Scriptures

The imagery of the "horn of Israel" budding forth finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messianic promise of a "horn of salvation" raised up by God, as prophesied by Zacharias in Luke 1:69. Ezekiel's restored prophetic voice echoes God's promise to Moses in Exodus 4:12 to be with his mouth. The declaration "they shall know that I am the LORD" is a hallmark of Ezekiel's prophecy, appearing over 60 times, often in contexts of both judgment and restoration, such as the famous vision of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37:13.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 29:21 offers a profound message of hope and God's unwavering faithfulness. Even when surrounding nations fall or when God's people face judgment and exile, God's ultimate plan for restoration and self-revelation remains. For believers today, this verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances. He can restore strength and purpose even from the deepest valleys, and He always validates His truth. It encourages us to trust in God's timing for renewal and to remain open to His word, knowing that through it, we truly "know that I am the LORD."

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 2:10

    The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

  • Psalms 132:17

    There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.

  • Luke 21:15

    For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

  • Amos 3:7

    Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

  • Amos 3:8

    The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

  • Ezekiel 33:22

    Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.

  • Ezekiel 24:27

    In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.
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