Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 29

The tenth year – Jerusalem had been besieged, but not taken. Jeremiah delivered his prophecy against Egypt, about the time when the approach of Pharaoh Hophra’s army caused the Chaldeans temporarily to raise the siege (Jeremiah 37:5). This was the solitary instance of Egypt meddling with the affairs of Palestine or Syria after the battle of Carchemish (Compare to 2 Kings 24:7); it met with speedy punishment.

The king is addressed as the embodiment of the state.

Dragon — Here the crocodile, the great monster of the Nile, which was regarded very differently in different parts of Egypt. By some it was worshipped and embalmed after death, and cities were named after it (e.g., in the Arsinoite nome). Others viewed it with the utmost abhorrence. An animal so terrible, so venerated, or so abhorred, was an apt image of the proud Egyptian monarch—the more so, perhaps, because it was in truth less formidable than it appeared, and often became an easy prey to those who assailed it with skill and courage.

Lieth in the midst of his rivers — Sais, the royal city, during the twenty-sixth dynasty, was in the Delta, in the very midst of the various branches and canals of the Nile.

My river is mine own ... — It was the common boast of Hophra (Apries) that “not even a god could dispossess him of power.” The river was at all times the source of fertility and wealth to Egypt, but especially so to the Saite kings, who had their royal residence on the river and encouraged contact with foreigners, by whose commerce the kingdom was greatly enriched.

Hooks in your jaws – Compare (Job 41:2). The crocodile is thus rendered an easy prey.

Fish of your rivers – that is, the allies of Egypt will be involved in her ruin.

Staff of reed - The “reed” was especially appropriate to Egypt as the natural product of its river.

So Egypt was continually proving to Israel, to Jehoiakim and to Zedekiah. The tenses are present, not past.

To be at a standstill - Others, “to totter.”