They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword: Here God speaks to Ezekiel again about the Egyptians. The pronoun They refers to the Egyptians, which Good News Translation makes clear by saying “The people of Egypt,” and so does New Living Translation with “The Egyptians.” They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword means the Egyptians will die in war with others. For the implications of being killed in war, see the comments on those who are slain by the sword at 31.17. Translators may render this whole clause as “The Egyptians will certainly die with all who those who die [or, are killed] in war.”

And with her shall lie all her multitudes: The second half of this verse is full of problems, as the footnotes in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation indicate. Revised Standard Version follows the Septuagint and omits a number of Hebrew words. The Hebrew text, which Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers, is literally “a sword has been appointed; they drag away her and all her multitudes.” New Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew by saying “Egypt has been handed over to the sword; carry away both it and its hordes.” The Hebrew clause for “a sword has been appointed” means that it is certain the Egyptians are about to be killed in war. Although the text does not say so, it is understood that God “appointed” the sword to come upon Egypt, and that is why it will certainly happen. This clause may be rendered “An enemy will certainly attack Egypt.” New International Reader’s Version says “Nebuchadnezzar is ready to use his sword against them.” However, it is not desirable to make Nebuchadnezzar’s name explicit here. “They drag away” renders an impersonal third person plural verb in Hebrew. It is acceptable to supply an explicit subject; for example, New Century Version renders the last clause of this verse as “the enemy will drag Egypt and all her people away.” By adding “and all her multitudes” at the end, the prophecy points to the complete destruction of Egypt.

In many languages this verse will be easier to understand if it is rearranged in chronological order. A model for this is:

• War is certain to come upon the Egyptians [or, It is certain that an enemy will attack the Egyptians]. The enemy will drag them all away and kill them. They will be among those who die in war.

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 .