On that day: Since it is unlikely that the destruction of Egypt happened in just one day, it is better to understand this phrase as a more general reference to time, so it may be rendered “At that time” (New International Reader’s Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version) or “When Egypt is destroyed” (similarly Good News Translation).

Swift messengers shall go forth from me to terrify the unsuspecting Ethiopians: Instead of swift messengers, which follows the Septuagint, the Hebrew text has “messengers in ships.” Presumably the Septuagint translators felt that it made no sense to send ships to the Ethiopians, who lived in a country that did not have a seacoast then. But the Hebrew word for “ships” refers to a specific type of river ship that sailed up and down the Nile River, so it is quite appropriate for these messengers to travel from Egypt to Ethiopia in such ships along the Nile. If there is a word in the receptor language for boats that might sail up and down a river, translators may use it. Or they may say “river boats.” Shall go forth from me implies that the messengers will go “at my [God’s] command” (New American Bible; similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In many languages swift messengers shall go forth from me may be rendered “I will send messengers by boat.” God will send them to terrify the unsuspecting Ethiopians. When the people who live in Ethiopia hear that Egypt has been defeated, they will become terrified, believing that they might be attacked next. Unsuspecting means that before the fall of Egypt the inhabitants of Ethiopia thought they were “safe” (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version) and “secure” (New American Standard Bible, Moffatt). For Ethiopians (“Cush” in Hebrew), see the comments on 29.10. New Century Version provides a clear model for the first sentence of this verse, saying “At that time I will send messengers in ships to frighten Cush, which now feels safe.” Another possible model is .”.. the people of Cush, who now feel safe.”

And anguish shall come upon them on the day of Egypt’s doom: For the Hebrew word rendered anguish, see the comments on Ezek 30.4. Here it likely refers to emotional pain, because there is no hint in the rest of the chapter that the Ethiopians will be attacked and killed too. On the day of Egypt’s doom (literally “on the day of Egypt”) refers to the time of Egypt’s destruction. New Living Translation renders this whole clause as “Great panic will come upon them on that day of Egypt’s certain destruction.” Another possible model is “They will tremble with fear when Egypt is punished” (similarly New Century Version).

For, lo, it comes!: This clause emphasizes that Egypt will be destroyed soon. The Hebrew particle ki rendered for is better translated as an emphatic marker, for example, “Yes,” “For sure” or “Certainly.” Lo renders the Hebrew word hinneh. Here it adds to the force of this statement. Many translators omit it because it is not natural in their language. Here it almost has the sense of “Watch out!” (Block). For this whole clause New Jerusalem Bible has “it is coming now!” and New Living Translation says “Watch for it! It is sure to come!”

A model for this verse is:

• At that time I will order messengers to go on river ships [up the Nile toward Ethiopia]. The people of Ethiopia think they are safe from attack, but when my messengers come and tell them about the fall of Egypt, they will become terrified. When [they hear that] Egypt is defeated, they will become terribly afraid. Yes! Watch out! This will happen soon!

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 .