'Now, if you rely on Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it—such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him — the Rab-shakeh employs vivid imagery to mock Egyptian support: Egypt is a 'broken reed' that pierces the hand of those who lean upon it. The image captures Egypt's historical unreliability as an ally: Egypt cannot support Judean independence and in fact betrays those who rely upon it. This attack on Egypt represents a common Near Eastern diplomatic tactic: identifying and demolishing the external alliances your enemy counts upon.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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