I will make many peoples appalled at you means the people of many nations will be shocked when they see what happens to Egypt. The Hebrew verb rendered make … appalled refers to a mixture of emotions, including horror, amazement, shock, and fear (see the comments on 3.15, where it is translated “overwhelmed”). Good News Translation provides a good model here, saying “What I do to you will shock many nations,” and so does New International Reader’s Version with “Many nations will be shocked when they see what has happened to you.”

And their kings shall shudder because of you: The leaders of these nations will also be horrified. The Hebrew verb translated shudder includes a mixture of fear and horror (see the comments on 27.35, where it is rendered “are horribly afraid”). A model for this clause is “and their kings will tremble with fear when they see your downfall.”

When I brandish my sword before them: After God destroys Egypt, he will stand waving his sword threateningly at the other nations. Brandish means to “wave” or “swing” (Good News Translation, New Century Version) a sword back and forth. A sword is a long fighting knife (see 5.1). Some languages may find it helpful to place this clause at the beginning of the verse to fit the chronological order better (see the model below).

They shall tremble every moment, every one for his own life, on the day of your downfall: They shall tremble every moment means they will shake with fear continually (see 26.16). The pronoun they refers to the kings who see what is happening to the king of Egypt. Every one for his own life may be rendered “Each [king] will be afraid he is the next to die” (New International Reader’s Version) or “Each will fear that he also is going to die.” On the day of your downfall refers to when God destroys Egypt and its king. New International Reader’s Version says “On the day you fall from power.” Some languages may find it helpful to place this phrase at the beginning of the sentence to fit the chronological order better (see the model below).

A model for this verse is:

• When I swing my sword around in front of the nations [or, threaten the nations with my sword], they will be shocked at what I do to you, and their kings will be very afraid when they see what happens to you. At the time when I destroy you, those kings will shake with fear all the time, because they will be afraid that I will kill them too.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .