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.
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֗וּא
H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אַצְמִ֤יחַ
to bud forth
H6779
אַצְמִ֤יחַ
to bud forth
Strong's:
H6779
Word #:
3 of 15
to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
קֶ֙רֶן֙
the horn
H7161
קֶ֙רֶן֙
the horn
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
4 of 15
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 moun
לְבֵ֣ית
of the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶתֵּ֥ן
and I will give
H5414
אֶתֵּ֥ן
and I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
פֶּ֖ה
of the mouth
H6310
פֶּ֖ה
of the mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
10 of 15
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
בְּתוֹכָ֑ם
in the midst
H8432
בְּתוֹכָ֑ם
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
11 of 15
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
וְיָדְע֖וּ
of them and they shall know
H3045
וְיָדְע֖וּ
of them and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.1 Samuel 2:10The 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 132:17There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.Ezekiel 33:22Now 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 24:27In 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.Psalms 92:10But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.Luke 1:69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Historical Context
Israel's 'horn budding' had partial fulfillment in the return from exile (538 BC) and temple rebuilding (516 BC). Fuller realization came through David's greater son, Jesus the Messiah (Luke 1:68-69). Ezekiel's speech was restored when Jerusalem fell (33:22), authenticating his ministry. Each fulfillment demonstrated God's faithfulness to His prophetic word.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'budding horn' metaphor connect to Messianic hope?
- What is the significance of Ezekiel's opened mouth coinciding with Israel's restoration?
- How do layered fulfillments (near and far) enrich prophetic interpretation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth—After Egypt's judgment, Israel's restoration begins. קֶרֶן (qeren, 'horn') symbolizes strength/power (Psalm 132:17, Luke 1:69). אַצְמִיחַ (ʾaṣmîaḥ, 'cause to sprout/grow') pictures renewal after cutting down.
Some interpret this as Messianic prophecy—the 'horn of David' sprouting again. Others see reference to Israel's post-exilic restoration. And I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them—Ezekiel's restricted speech (3:26-27, 24:27, 33:22) would be fully opened. פְּתִחוֹן־פֶּה (pĕtiḥôn-peh, 'opening of mouth') suggests freedom to speak all God's words, not just prophetic oracles. And they shall know that I am the LORD—Fulfilled prophecy again produces recognition. Ezekiel's restored speech, Israel's renewed strength, and Egypt's judgment would all testify to YHWH's sovereignty.