What is the context?
This message is dated to the twenty-seventh year, later than the message at the beginning of the chapter. The arrangement follows the subject of Egypt rather than keeping every announcement in chronological order.
The Lord describes the hard labor of Nebuchadnezzar’s army against Tyre: bald heads, raw shoulders and no wages from the effort. He will give Egypt’s wealth and plunder as the reward for that work, which He says was done for Him.
The message closes by turning toward Israel. The Lord will cause a horn to sprout for His people and open Ezekiel’s mouth among them. Alongside the fall of a false support comes a promise of renewed strength and recognition of the Lord.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Henry understands the plunder as payment to the ambitious people God employs, while seeing mercy for Israel beyond its adversity. Wesley likewise distinguishes the Lord’s work through Babylon from the intentions of the Babylonians themselves.
The USCCB notes and Cambridge explain the horn as renewed strength for Israel. Cambridge takes it as a general promise of restored prosperity and influence; Jamieson–Fausset–Brown also looks toward the fuller glory associated with the Messiah.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The picture of a horn of deliverance appears in Luke 1:67–75. Zechariah praises God for raising a horn of salvation in David’s house, remembering His covenant and granting His people freedom to serve Him in holiness and righteousness.
Luke does not explicitly quote Ezekiel 29, and a horn does not identify the Messiah in every passage. The shared theme is the strength and deliverance God raises for His people. Luke places that hope within the coming salvation through David’s house, with service to God as its purpose.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.