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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:69

And hath raised up a horn - A horn is a symbol of strength. The figure is taken from the fact that in horned animals the strength lies in the “horn.” Particularly, the great power of the rhinoceros or unicorn is manifested by the use of a single horn of great “strength,” placed on the head near the end of the nose. When the sacred writers, therefore, speak of great strength they often use the word “horn,” Psalms 148:14; Deuteronomy 33:17; Daniel 7:7-8; Daniel 7:21. The word salvation, connected... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 1:68-70

Luke 1:68-70 . Blessed be the Lord God of Israel Who is also the God of the spirits of all flesh: but Zacharias, speaking of the work of redemption calls him only the God of Israel, because to Israel the prophecies, promises, and types of redemption, had hitherto been given, and to them the first offers and proposals of it were now to be made. Israel, as a chosen people, was a type of the people of God to be called out of all nations and ages, whom God had a particular eye to in sending the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 1:57-80

5. Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57-80)Elizabeth’s son was born amid much rejoicing, and eight days later was circumcised in accordance with the law of Israel. Circumcision was a minor surgical operation carried out on all Israelite baby boys, and was the covenant sign that Israel was God’s people. At this ceremony the child was usually given his name (Luke 1:57-60; cf. 2:21; Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12:3). When relatives tried to interfere in the naming of the child, Zechariah proved his... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 1:69

an horn of salvation. A Hebraism. See Psalms 132:17 . 1 Samuel 2:1 , 1 Samuel 2:10 . Ezekiel 29:21 . His servant David. See Psalms 132:10 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 1:69

69. horn of salvation—that is "strength of salvation," or "mighty Salvation," meaning the Saviour Himself, whom Simeon calls "Thy Salvation" (Luke 2:30). The metaphor is taken from those animals whose strength is in their horns (Psalms 18:2; Psalms 75:10; Psalms 132:17). house of . . . David—This shows that Mary must have been known to be of the royal line, independent of Joseph; of whom Zacharias, if he knew anything, could not know that after this he would recognize Mary. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:57-80

C. The birth and early life of John the Baptist 1:57-80As in the first part of this major section of the Gospel (Luke 1:5-56), Luke arranged his material in this one to compare and contrast John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:57 to Luke 2:52). In that section there was prediction, but in this one there is fulfillment. Luke’s emphasis in his record of John’s birth was his naming and his father’s prediction of his future ministry. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:67-79

2. Zechariah’s song of praise 1:67-79This is the second major song of praise in Luke: the "Benedictus." This title also comes from the first word in the Latin version, translated "blessed" (Gr. eulogetos). The first part of the song praises God for messianic deliverance (Luke 1:68-75), and the second part rejoices in John’s significant role in this deliverance (Luke 1:76-79). The chiastic structure of the song emphasizes the words "covenant" and "oath" (Luke 1:72-73). God’s faithfulness to His... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 1:69-70

Zechariah alluded to God’s promise to raise up a horn, symbolic of strength, of salvation from David’s descendants (i.e., a mighty Savior, Psalms 132:17; cf. Psalms 18:2). He was not speaking of John but Jesus. Zechariah knew of Jesus’ coming birth because of Mary’s three-month visit (Luke 1:56). The other prophets in view are all those who spoke of the coming Messiah. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Luke 1:69

1:69 deliverance (b-7) Or 'salvation.' 'Saved' in ver. 74 is a different word. but the same as 'our deliverer from the coming wrath,' 1 Thessalonians 1:10 . read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 1:1-80

Birth of John. The Annunciation1-4. Preface. To write a preface to a history is not a Jewish, but a classical custom, and by following it St. Luke shows himself a true Gentile, trained in Greek culture and imitating classical models. Here he affects classical elegance and correctness of expression, but in the course of his Gospel he generally imitates the simpler synoptic style.This Preface contains all that is really known as distinguished from what is guessed about the sources of the Synoptic... read more

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