יחזקאל, פרק כ״ט, פסוק ו׳

The impending collapse of the Egyptian empire carries a profound theological and historical message. Through a devastating downfall, the nation is forced to recognize God's active presence in the world and pay the price for acting as a false support that led the Israelites to their destruction. The primary approach among commentators is that the disaster striking Egypt is designed to prove that God holds nations accountable for their actions. This punishment shatters the Egyptian illusion that their mortal king possesses divine power [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, it directly challenges the core of Egyptian belief. While Pharaoh acknowledged the existence of a supreme being, he assumed this deity was too elevated to concern Himself with the earthly realm. By disrupting the natural order and bringing about this catastrophe, God demonstrates that He exercises direct and personal providence over humanity [אהבת יהונתן].

The severity of Egypt's punishment stems from its role as a deceptive support system for the Israelites. The empire is compared to a walking staff made from a soft, hollow reed [מצודת ציון, רש״י, מלבי״ם]. When a person leans their weight on such a fragile stick, it inevitably snaps and causes them to fall [מצודת דוד, צאינה וראינה]. Historically, the Israelites frequently relied on the promises of foreign powers, seeking assistance from empires like Egypt and leaders such as Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar [רש״י, צאינה וראינה]. This political maneuvering was driven by an ancient curse stating that Israel would sway like a reed in water. The Israelites believed that by shifting their reliance between the king of Babylon and the king of Egypt, they might sway in the wind but would never be completely uprooted. However, Pharaoh deceived them [אהבת יהונתן].

The commentators agree that Egypt's promises to rescue the Israelites from the Babylonians were entirely empty. Egypt offered only a brief illusion of safety. Their army initially marched out to confront the enemy but quickly retreated to their own land, abandoning Jerusalem to be captured and burned [רד״ק]. It is possible that this prophecy of doom was delivered precisely when the Egyptian promise of military aid still appeared valid [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, the great tragedy is not merely that Egypt failed to help, but that they caused direct and fatal harm. Placing their false trust in Egypt led the Israelites to turn their hearts away from God, ignore the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah, and rebel against the Babylonian empire. Just like a splintering reed, Egypt not only collapsed under the pressure but deeply pierced the hand that leaned upon it [מלבי״ם, רד״ק].