Ezekiel 29:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'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.'"

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 29:21 marks a pivotal shift within a series of prophecies against Egypt, offering a profound promise of future divine restoration for the exiled house of Israel and a powerful affirmation of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry. Amidst the pronouncements of judgment upon a proud foreign nation, God emphatically reaffirms His unwavering covenant faithfulness to His people. He declares His sovereign intention to renew Israel's strength and dignity, to empower His prophet to speak with unhindered clarity, and ultimately to ensure that both His people and the nations recognize His absolute identity and authority as the LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic and hopeful conclusion to a prolonged series of prophecies against Egypt, which commence in [Ezekiel 29:1](/ezekiel/29-1 "Ezekiel 29:1 - Prophecy Against Pharaoh and Egypt") and extend through [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Further Prophecies Against Egypt"). The preceding verses in [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt") meticulously detail the downfall of Pharaoh and Egypt, portraying them as a "broken reed" (cf. [Ezekiel 29:6-7](/ezekiel/29-6-7 "Ezekiel 29:6-7 - Egypt as a Broken Reed")) that proved to be an unreliable and ultimately destructive ally for Israel, leading to their desolation. Amidst this severe pronouncement of judgment on a foreign power, God abruptly pivots to articulate His enduring commitment to Israel, offering a glimpse of future restoration and the authentication of His prophet's words. This sudden injection of hope for Israel within a prophecy against a foreign nation is a characteristic literary device throughout Ezekiel's broader prophetic message, consistently intertwining divine judgment for the nations with the ultimate, sovereign restoration of God's chosen people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt") is precisely dated to the tenth month of the twelfth year of Jehoiachin's captivity (circa 587 BC), placing it shortly after the final, devastating fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Israelite exiles in Babylon, including Ezekiel himself, would have been acutely aware of the volatile geopolitical landscape, particularly the shifting alliances and the perceived strength of Egypt. For many in Judah, Egypt had been a tempting, albeit consistently unreliable, potential ally against the encroaching Babylonian empire. This prophecy profoundly underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, including the once-mighty Egypt, and serves to dismantle any lingering hope among the exiles that human alliances or military might could ultimately save them. The imagery of the "horn" was a widespread and deeply resonant ancient Near Eastern symbol of strength, power, and kingship, frequently depicted on royal headwear or divine figures. Its "budding forth" would have resonated profoundly with a people whose own "horn"—their kingdom, temple, and national identity—had been utterly shattered by the Babylonian conquest, signifying a miraculous and divinely initiated resurgence of vitality and honor.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes that permeate the book of Ezekiel. Firstly, it powerfully highlights the theme of **Divine Restoration of Israel's Strength**. The "horn of the house of Israel" symbolizes the renewal of Israel's political and spiritual vitality, dignity, and power, which had been severely diminished by the exile. This promise points to a future time when Israel, humbled and scattered, would be miraculously revitalized by God's direct intervention, ultimately finding its fullest expression in the Messianic era. Secondly, it underscores the **Validation of Prophetic Authority**. The promise, "I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them," directly addresses Ezekiel. Throughout his arduous ministry, Ezekiel experienced periods of restricted speech or prophetic muteness (e.g., [Ezekiel 3:26-27](/ezekiel/3-26-27 "Ezekiel 3:26-27 - Ezekiel's Muteness and Commission")). This divine promise signifies a renewed, unhindered ability for Ezekiel to speak God's truth clearly and powerfully among the exiles, implying a renewed receptiveness to God's word among the people. Finally, the recurring declaration, "and they shall know that I am the LORD," is a **Central Theme of God's Self-Revelation** throughout Ezekiel, appearing over sixty times. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, and His ultimate purpose to reveal His true identity and power through both judgment and restoration, ensuring that His people and the nations recognize Him as the one true God. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but an experiential recognition born out of divine intervention and historical events (cf. [Ezekiel 37:13](/ezekiel/37-13 "Ezekiel 37:13 - God's Self-Revelation in the Resurrection of Dry Bones")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **horn (Hebrew, _qeren'_):** From H7161, meaning a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance, an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power. In this context, "horn" is a potent metaphor for strength, power, dignity, and authority, often associated with kingship or national might. Its "budding forth" signifies a new, vigorous, and divinely initiated growth or resurgence of this power after a period of decline and humiliation.
* **bud forth (Hebrew, _tsâmach'_):** From H6779, a primitive root meaning to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); bear, bring forth, (cause to, make to) bud (forth), (cause to, make to) grow (again, up), (cause to) spring (forth, up). This verb emphasizes organic, vital growth and emergence from a state of dormancy or decay. When applied to the "horn," it conveys the idea of a natural, yet miraculously and divinely orchestrated, renewal and flourishing of Israel's strength, indicating a fresh beginning and a return to vitality and prominence.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, a primitive root meaning to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.). In this context, "know" signifies far more than mere intellectual understanding; it implies an experiential, relational, and transformative recognition of God's true nature, power, and faithfulness, brought about by His decisive and undeniable actions in history. It denotes a profound, personal acknowledgment of His absolute sovereignty and unique identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth,"**: This opening clause introduces a definitive future, divinely appointed time ("In that day") when God Himself will actively and powerfully intervene to restore the strength, dignity, and authority of His covenant people, "the house of Israel." The vivid imagery of the "horn budding forth" powerfully conveys a miraculous, organic, and vigorous renewal, signifying a return to prominence and power after a prolonged period of national humiliation, defeat, and exile. This is a direct, unconditional promise of restoration, emphasizing that Israel's future vitality and resurgence are entirely dependent on God's sovereign initiative and power, not human effort or political maneuvering.
* **"and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them;"**: This second clause shifts focus directly to the prophet Ezekiel ("thee"). God promises to grant him "the opening of the mouth," which signifies divine enablement for clear, authoritative, and unhindered prophetic utterance. This stands in stark contrast to earlier periods in Ezekiel's ministry where his mouth was shut or restricted as a sign to the rebellious exiles. God's act of "opening the mouth" implies not only the prophet's freedom and empowerment to speak God's truth but also a renewed receptiveness and willingness among the exiles ("in the midst of them") to hear, acknowledge, and respond to God's word delivered through him, thereby validating Ezekiel's prophetic office and message.
* **"and they shall know that I am the LORD."**: This final, climactic declaration is a hallmark of Ezekiel's entire prophecy, serving as its ultimate theological punchline. It states the overarching purpose of both the judgment on Egypt and the promised restoration of Israel: that all, both the house of Israel and the surrounding nations, will come to an undeniable, experiential, and transformative knowledge of God's true identity as "the LORD" (Yahweh). This knowledge transcends mere intellectual assent; it is a profound recognition of His absolute sovereignty, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, and His unique, incomparable power, demonstrated through His mighty acts of judgment and salvation throughout history.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 29:21 is profoundly enriched by its use of **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The "horn of the house of Israel" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for national strength, dignity, and royal authority. Its "budding forth" further develops this metaphor, symbolizing a miraculous, organic, and divinely initiated renewal, suggesting a fresh, vigorous growth and emergence from a period of decay or dormancy. This imagery effectively conveys hope and the promise of a revitalized future for a people enduring the humiliation of exile. The "opening of the mouth" for Ezekiel is **Symbolic** of restored prophetic authority and divine enablement for clear, unimpeded communication of God's message. It represents freedom from earlier restrictions on his speech and the resounding validation of his role as God's authentic spokesperson. Furthermore, the recurring phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" functions as a powerful **Leitmotif** throughout the entire book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the central theme of God's self-revelation and the ultimate purpose of all His actions—to make His sovereign identity undeniably known to all creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 29:21 powerfully encapsulates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even amidst their profound exile and the concurrent judgment of surrounding nations. It profoundly demonstrates that God's ultimate plan for Israel's restoration is not contingent on their performance, their righteousness, or the strength of human alliances, but solely on His sovereign will, omnipotent power, and steadfast love. This verse highlights the intricate interconnectedness of God's work among the nations and His specific purposes for Israel: the downfall of one serves to underscore the divinely orchestrated rise of the other, all to the ultimate end that His unique, incomparable identity as the LORD is unequivocally revealed to all. It thus foreshadows a future Messianic era where Israel's true strength, dignity, and prophetic voice would be fully and perfectly realized through a divine agent.

* [1 Samuel 2:1](/1_samuel/2-1 "Hannah's Prayer of Exaltation") - Hannah's prayer, "My horn is exalted in the LORD," uses similar imagery of the horn to denote strength and divine exaltation, anticipating God's lifting up of the humble and the establishment of His anointed king.
* [Luke 1:69](/luke/1-69 "Zacharias's Prophecy of the Horn of Salvation") - Zacharias's prophecy concerning John the Baptist and the coming Messiah declares, "He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David," directly connecting the "horn" imagery to the ultimate, saving Messianic fulfillment.
* [Ezekiel 37:13](/ezekiel/37-13 "God's Self-Revelation in the Resurrection of Dry Bones") - This verse from the iconic vision of the dry bones reiterates the central theme, "Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, O My people," powerfully linking God's self-revelation to acts of profound restoration and resurrection.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 29:21 offers profound encouragement and a wellspring of hope for believers facing periods of weakness, uncertainty, or perceived silence from God. Just as God promised to cause the "horn of the house of Israel to bud forth" after their deep humiliation in exile, He is supremely capable of restoring strength, purpose, and dignity to individuals and communities who feel broken, diminished, or utterly defeated. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our true strength, validation, and ultimate flourishing come not from human effort, external circumstances, or worldly alliances, but solely from God's sovereign initiative and His unfailing power. Furthermore, Ezekiel's "opening of the mouth" serves as a compelling reminder that God empowers His faithful servants to speak His truth, even after periods of difficulty, restriction, or perceived futility. It encourages us to trust implicitly in God's perfect timing for renewal and to remain open and receptive to His divine word, knowing that through His mighty actions and His profound self-revelation, we are brought to a deeper, more experiential, and transformative knowledge that He truly "is the LORD." This profound knowledge fosters unwavering resilience, steadfast faith, and a confident expectation of divine intervention in our personal lives and in the unfolding narrative of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life, your family, or your community do you long for God to "cause the horn to bud forth," bringing restoration, renewed strength, and a fresh sense of dignity?**
* **How does the promise of Ezekiel's "opening of the mouth" encourage you about God's unwavering ability to empower His messengers and make His truth known, even in the most challenging or resistant circumstances?**
* **What does it mean for you, experientially and relationally, to "know that I am the LORD," and how have you personally witnessed God reveal His absolute sovereignty and faithfulness in your life or in significant historical events?**
* **How might this passage challenge you to rely less on human alliances, personal strengths, or worldly wisdom, and more profoundly on God's ultimate power, perfect timing, and unfailing faithfulness?**

### FAQ

**What does "the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth" signify?**

Answer: The "horn" is a common and potent biblical symbol for strength, power, dignity, and authority, frequently associated with kingship, national might, or even personal exaltation. For the "horn of the house of Israel to bud forth" signifies a miraculous, divinely initiated, and vigorous renewal and resurgence of Israel's strength, prominence, and honor. At a time when Israel was in the depths of exile, having lost its kingdom, temple, and national identity, this imagery promised a future restoration and a return to vitality and influence, indicating that God would sovereignly reestablish their power and honor. It points to a new, organic, and powerful growth, much like a plant sprouting with fresh life from a seemingly dead or dormant root, symbolizing a divine act of revitalization.

**How does God giving Ezekiel "the opening of the mouth" relate to his earlier prophetic experiences?**

Answer: Early in his prophetic ministry, Ezekiel experienced periods where God explicitly restricted his ability to speak publicly, causing him to be "mute" at times, except when God gave him a specific message (e.g., [Ezekiel 3:26-27](/ezekiel/3-26-27 "Ezekiel's Muteness and Commission")). This muteness was often a powerful symbolic sign to the rebellious house of Israel, reflecting their own spiritual deafness. The promise in [Ezekiel 29:21](/ezekiel/29-21 "The Horn of Israel and Ezekiel's Open Mouth") that God would "give thee the opening of the mouth" signifies a dramatic reversal of this restriction. It means God would fully restore and affirm Ezekiel's ability to speak God's truth clearly, powerfully, and without impediment among the exiles. This also profoundly implies a renewed receptiveness and willingness among the people to hear and acknowledge God's word delivered through His prophet, thereby validating Ezekiel's prophetic office and the divine origin of his message.

**Why is the phrase "and they shall know that I am the LORD" so prevalent in the book of Ezekiel?**

Answer: The declaration "and they shall know that I am the LORD" (Hebrew: *Yada' ki ani Yahweh*) is a central, recurring theological refrain in Ezekiel, appearing over sixty times. It underscores God's ultimate and overarching purpose in all His actions, whether in devastating judgment or in miraculous restoration: to reveal His unique, sovereign identity as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel and the Lord of all creation. This "knowing" is not merely intellectual assent to a theological fact but an experiential, transformative recognition of His power, faithfulness, justice, and absolute authority. Through the devastating judgments on Israel and the nations, and through the miraculous acts of restoration and new covenant promises, God ensures that His true nature is undeniably revealed, compelling both His people and the world to acknowledge Him as the one true, living God. It is the ultimate goal and culmination of all divine intervention in human history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 29:21 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The promise that God would "cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth" points directly to the Messianic hope. Jesus is the true "horn of salvation" raised up by God from the house of His servant David, as prophesied by Zacharias in [Luke 1:69](/luke/1-69 "Zacharias's Prophecy of the Horn of Salvation"). He embodies the perfect strength, kingship, and dignity of Israel, not merely through political power, but through His redemptive work on the cross and His glorious resurrection. He is the one through whom God's people are truly restored, given new life, and endowed with genuine spiritual strength. Furthermore, the promise to Ezekiel, "I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them," powerfully foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Word of God. Jesus is the perfect prophet, the one through whom God has fully and finally spoken to humanity (cf. [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God Has Spoken in His Son")). His earthly ministry was characterized by authoritative teaching, unparalleled wisdom, and the clearest revelation of the Father, fulfilling the prophetic office in its purest and most complete form. Finally, the declaration "and they shall know that I am the LORD" is supremely fulfilled in Christ. Through Jesus, God's identity is most perfectly and completely revealed. As [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "No One Has Seen God") states, "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." To truly know Jesus is to know the Father (cf. [John 14:7](/john/14-7 "Knowing Jesus, Knowing the Father")), and through His life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection, the world is confronted with the undeniable truth of who God is—a God of infinite power, perfect justice, and boundless redemptive love. Thus, Ezekiel's prophecy anticipates the coming of Christ, who is the embodiment of Israel's restored strength, the ultimate voice of God's truth, and the full, glorious revelation of the LORD's identity to all creation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.