Albert Barnes Commentary Ezekiel 30:20-26

"And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first [month], in the seventh [day] of the month, that the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it hath not been bound up, to apply [healing] medicines, to put a bandage to bind it, that it be strong to hold the sword. Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong [arm], and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand. And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries. And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man. And I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon; and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries; and they shall know that I am Jehovah." — Ezekiel 30:20-26 (ASV)

This fourth prophecy against Egypt was spoken three months before the capture of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 26:1) and three months after the prophecy of Ezekiel 29:1. Meanwhile, Pharaoh-Hophra’s attempt on Jerusalem had been foiled, and the Egyptians were driven back into their own country (Jeremiah 37:5, see note).

(Ezekiel 30:21) I have broken – Especially by the defeat at Carchemish.

A roller – Or, a bandage.

(Ezekiel 30:22) The strong – Such power as Egypt yet retained at home and abroad.

That which was broken – The power which Egypt aimed at ineffectually, the conquest of Palestine and Syria.