ירמיהו, פרק מ״ו, פסוק ח׳

The natural rhythm of Egypt, defined by the annual flooding of the Nile River, provides a powerful image for its aggressive military expansion. The Egyptian empire is accustomed to rising up and spreading its influence outward [רש"י, מלבי"ם]. Just as the waters of the Nile overflow their banks to water the surrounding land, Egypt's massive armies march outward to overwhelm the region [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Adding another layer to this imagery, this dramatic rise is also compared to a heavy cloud gathering in the sky [רד"ק].

This military campaign is accompanied by intense commotion. Like a stormy, rushing river tossing its waters with a deafening roar, the advance of Pharaoh's forces is filled with threatening noise and terrifying majesty [רד"ק, מצודת דוד]. Filled with pride, the king of Egypt declares his grand plan to cover the earth. He intends to wash over the world with his vast troops, mirroring how the Nile completely submerges the ground [מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The ultimate goal of this surging assault is absolute destruction. In the same way that a violent flood ruins everything caught in its path, the Egyptian army plans to wipe out the city and its inhabitants [רש"י, רד"ק, מלבי"ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Specifically, the target of Pharaoh's destructive ambition is Carchemish, a city controlled at the time by the king of Assyria [מצודת דוד].