Ezekiel 29:21

When Nebuchadnezzar defeated Egypt, the defeat would provide hope for Israel because Egypt was Israel’s ancient enemy. Evidently Nebuchadnezzar invaded and defeated Egypt about 568-567 B.C. [Note: See Josephus, Antiquities . . .,10:9:7.] It would be as though a horn began to grow on Israel, the sign of new strength to come (cf. 1 Samuel 2:1; 1 Kings 22:11; Psalms 92:10; Jeremiah 48:25). A horn is also a symbol of Messiah in some passages, and a branch is a symbol in others (cf. Psalms 132:17; Isaiah 4:2; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8; Luke 1:69), but the context argues against a messianic interpretation here. Furthermore, no Messiah or any other notable ruler appeared in Israel at this time. Some commentators, nevertheless, see a messianic reference here. [Note: E.g., Cooper, pp. 275-76.]

The Lord also promised to open Ezekiel’s mouth then in the midst of the exiles. Formerly the Lord had restrained the prophet from speaking (Ezekiel 3:26), but he long since (since 585 B.C.) had resumed speaking (cf. Ezekiel 33:21-22). The Israelites would be more open to messages from the Lord and more able to assert themselves because their old nemesis had suffered humiliation.

All these events would teach people Yahweh’s unique deity. This is one of the main lessons of the book. The promise occurs in the two oracles in this chapter three times (Ezekiel 29:6; Ezekiel 29:9; Ezekiel 29:16) and in the book more than 40 times.