Luke 1:69
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἤγειρεν
hath raised up
G1453
ἤγειρεν
hath raised up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
2 of 12
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἴκῳ
the house
G3624
οἴκῳ
the house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
8 of 12
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 18:2The 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 29:21In 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 2:10The 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.2 Samuel 22:3The 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.Psalms 89:17For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.1 Samuel 2:1And 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.Mark 11:10Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.Revelation 22:16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.Amos 9:11In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:Psalms 89:3I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
Historical Context
The 'horn of salvation' echoes Hannah's prayer (1 Sam 2:1) and numerous psalms, showing continuity of redemptive hope. The Davidic covenant promised an eternal dynasty, fulfilled ultimately in Christ whose kingdom has no end. Zacharias interprets recent events through this covenant framework.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the symbol of a 'horn' teach about the nature of salvation God provides?
- How does Jesus's Davidic lineage fulfill God's covenant promises?
- Why does Zacharias speak of future salvation as already accomplished?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zacharias prophesies that God has 'raised up an horn of salvation...in the house of his servant David.' The 'horn' symbolizes strength and power (1 Sam 2:10; Ps 132:17), while 'salvation' indicates deliverance and rescue. This horn specifically comes from David's house, fulfilling God's covenant promise (2 Sam 7:12-16). The perfect tense 'hath raised up' declares what God has accomplished in Mary's conception, though Jesus hasn't yet been born—prophetic certainty treats future fulfillment as accomplished fact. This demonstrates that salvation originates in God's sovereign power, not human effort. The Davidic lineage establishes Jesus's rightful claim to Israel's throne.