And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
And {G2532} hath raised up {G1453} an horn {G2768} of salvation {G4991} for us {G2254} in {G1722} the house {G3624} of his {G846} servant {G3816} David {G1138};
by raising up for us a mighty Deliverer who is a descendant of his servant David.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David
-
Psalms 18:2
The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. -
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. -
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. -
2 Samuel 22:3
The God of my rock; in him will I trust: [he is] my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. -
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. -
Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. -
1 Samuel 2:1
¶ And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
Commentary on Luke 1:69 (KJV)
Luke 1:69 is a profound declaration from Zechariah's prophecy, known as the Benedictus, proclaiming the coming of the Messiah as a mighty deliverer from the lineage of King David.
Context
This verse is part of Zechariah's inspired song of praise and prophecy (Luke 1:68-79), uttered after his tongue was loosed following the birth and naming of his son, John the Baptist. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah foresees the Lord's redemptive work through Jesus, identifying Him as the promised Messiah who would bring salvation, fulfilling ancient promises to Israel. This prophecy bridges the Old Testament expectations with the New Testament reality of Christ's arrival, setting the stage for the Gospel narrative.
Key Themes
The Messiah as "Horn of Salvation"
The phrase "horn of salvation" is a powerful metaphor. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a horn symbolized strength, power, and dignity. Animals used their horns for defense and dominance. Here, it signifies a mighty, victorious deliverer. This is not merely a symbolic figure but a literal, powerful rescuer sent by God. It points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of spiritual and eternal salvation, a strong protector against spiritual enemies. This imagery echoes Old Testament passages where God is described as the strength or "horn" of His people, signifying His unwavering power to save.
Fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant
The phrase "in the house of his servant David" highlights the Messiah's specific lineage. This directly references the covenant God made with King David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), promising that his throne and kingdom would be established forever through his descendants. Zechariah's prophecy affirms that Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, was indeed a descendant of David, thereby fulfilling centuries of messianic prophecy concerning the Davidic line. This lineage is crucial for understanding Jesus' rightful claim to the throne of Israel and His role as King of kings, as also seen in New Testament genealogies like Matthew 1:1.
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "horn" is keras (κέρας), which literally means a horn, but metaphorically denotes strength, power, or dominion. The raising of a "horn" thus signifies the establishment of a powerful, authoritative figure. This imagery is common in the Old Testament, where God is sometimes referred to as the "horn" of His people (e.g., Psalm 18:2). Zechariah applies this ancient imagery directly to the coming Messiah, emphasizing His divine strength and salvific purpose.
Practical Application
For believers today, Luke 1:69 serves as a profound reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises. It assures us that God has provided a powerful and capable Savior in Jesus Christ, who is able to deliver us from sin, death, and all spiritual enemies. This verse invites us to trust in the strength and authority of Christ, knowing that our salvation is secured by God's own mighty hand. It encourages us to find hope and security in the one who was prophesied long ago and has indeed come as our "horn of salvation." It also reinforces the historical reality of Jesus as the promised Messiah, grounding our faith in fulfilled prophecy and the enduring nature of God's plan for humanity's redemption.