Thus says the LORD: This traditional prophetic formula (see Ezek 30.2) is used here to introduce the second part of this prophecy against Egypt and give it more authority. Here the short form of the formula is used (see the comments on 11.5).

Those who support Egypt shall fall simply repeats the sense of the previous verse. Contemporary English Version says “All of your allies will be killed,” and New Century Version has “Those who fight on Egypt’s side will fall.” Another possible model is “Those who fight on Egypt’s side will die in battle.”

And her proud might shall come down: Her proud might refers to Egypt’s arrogant confidence in her strength and military power (compare “the pride of your power” in 24.21). Proud has a bad sense of boasting and arrogance here, so New English Bible and Revised English Bible say “her boasted might,” and Christian Community Bible has “her haughty power.” Her proud might shall come down means the powerful army of which the Egyptians were proud will be defeated. Good News Translation says “Egypt’s proud army will be destroyed,” New International Reader’s Version has “The strength Egypt was so proud of will fail,” and New Century Version translates “The power she is proud of will be lost.” Another possible model is “She will lose all the power that she is proud of.”

From Migdol to Syene they shall fall within her by the sword: Throughout the land from north to south, Egypt will lose all her allies who have come to fight for her. For Migdol and Syene, see the comments on 29.10. The pronoun they refers to Egypt’s allies, and the pronoun her refers to Egypt. Within her means Egypt’s allies will be killed in the fighting inside the land of Egypt. This clause may be rendered “The allies of Egypt will die in war from Migdol in the north to Aswan in the south.” The previous clause may be placed after this one by saying “From Migdol in the north to Aswan in the south, all of Egypt’s allies will die in battle. The Egyptians will lose all the power they are proud of” (similarly Good News Translation, Bible en français courant).

Says the Lord GOD: This solemn pronouncement emphasizes that God speaks these words. For the Lord GOD, see Ezek 30.2. This clause may be rendered “The Lord Yahweh says this.”

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 .