ישעיהו, פרק ל״ו, פסוק ו׳

The decision of the leadership to rebel and rely on political alliances with human empires is presented not merely as a useless move, but as a real danger. The enemy analyzes the situation and concludes that the very act of rebellion proves the nation is trusting in an outside force, which can only be Egypt [שד״ל]. This choice to depend on flesh and blood stands in direct opposition to trusting in God [מלבי״ם].

To illustrate this reality, Egypt is compared to a walking stick used for support [מצודת ציון], specifically taking the form of a crushed reed [מצודת ציון]. While some understand this description to mean something fragile that is simply prone to breaking [שד״ל], the primary approach among commentators is that it refers to a reed that is already broken, leaving its edges sharp and splintered [רש״י, מצודת דוד].

This vivid imagery exposes a double failure in forming an alliance with Egypt. First, a regular reed is never strong enough to serve as a reliable support in the first place [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. When a person leans on such a reed, they relax their legs, give up their own physical strength, and falsely believe they are being held up [מלבי״ם]. Second, because the reed is already crushed, leaning on it is not merely disappointing, but physically harmful. The reed splinters, pierces the hand, and creates a painful wound.

The meaning behind this metaphor is widely agreed upon. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, is not just weak and unreliable; his involvement ultimately becomes harmful to anyone who trusts him. The damage takes a practical toll. Relying on Egypt causes the people to become passive, abandoning any independent efforts to save themselves. In reality, Pharaoh does not arrive to offer salvation. Instead, he comes to exploit the situation, collect tribute and taxes, and leave behind destruction rather than assistance [מלבי״ם].