יחזקאל, פרק כ״ט, פסוק ט״ו

Egypt is destined to experience a complete collapse, falling from its status as a mighty superpower to a weak and uninfluential nation. This downfall is not merely a decline from its historical greatness or a shift to being equal with other weak countries. Instead, Egypt will sink to such profound depths that every other kingdom will stand above it. It will become the lowest of all organized states [מלבי״ם].

This degradation goes even further when comparing Egypt to different types of societies. There is a clear distinction between structured kingdoms ruled by monarchs and unorganized groups of people lacking royal leadership. Egypt's collapse will be so absolute that it will not even be able to elevate itself above these lesser, kingless groups [מלבי״ם].

To ensure Egypt remains in this weakened state, God declares that He will actively diminish the nation. This action serves as the exact opposite of the divine blessing of fertility and growth [רד״ק]. God will reduce the Egyptian population, stripping the nation of the military manpower required to dominate others [מצודת דוד]. The primary approach among commentators is that the goal of this reduction is to permanently end Egypt's ability to impose forceful, tyrannical rule. By shrinking their numbers, God removes their power to subjugate other nations and force them into hard labor.