Ezekiel 29:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When they leaned on you, you splintered their shoulders, and when they relied on you, you weakened their loins.

This is how he speaks against Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, referencing the great power that Egypt placed its trust in, which ultimately stood in rebellion against its Creator, taking for itself authority over the earth and indulging in the idolatry of the surrounding nations. He remarks on how the king relies on the Nile's floods and shows no desire for the rains from heaven, believing himself to be the source of the Nile rather than recognizing it as a creation of God. He boldly declares his own dominance, insisting that he has fashioned the river that nourishes all of Egypt.

I will not send an angel, O great serpent who lies in the embrace of your rivers; I will personally come to judgment against you. You have audaciously claimed, “The Nile is mine; I have created it.” When I come, I will align your disobedient jaws and silence your boastful words. I will tie your companions and leaders—whom you refer to as fish—to your sides so that when you are pulled from your river, you too will be brought down. You have lifted yourself up in pride, and you shall be cast down upon your land, for Egypt is flat terrain.

Your carcass shall remain unearthed, never receiving a proper burial, but left for the beasts of the earth and the fowl of the air. This will be a testament to the inhabitants of Egypt when they witness the fulfillment of my judgments against you, for you have deceived my people Israel, urging them to rely on you rather than their Creator. You served as a staff of reeds, an empty and fragile support, on which they vainly sought refuge. When they leaned upon you, you caused them pain, leading to their downfall rather than providing the strength they sought.

This metaphor might seem directed at Pharaoh, yet it is true that the land itself was not a natural adversary to Israel; rather, it appeared to promise great assistance while leading them away from divine help. The dragon symbolizes a hidden power opposed to God, of which we read frequently. Pharaoh is described as one who separates the people from God, while Egypt, or Mesraim, translates to oppression—those who enslave others for their own gain. This dragon embodies the adversary of whom Job speaks extensively, and in the Psalms, it is stated, “You have crushed the head of the dragon; you have given him to the people of Ethiopia.” The dragon is deemed great in relation to lesser foes, akin to the belief that God has diminished the might of the dragons in the waters.

In another Psalm, it is proclaimed, “This sea is vast and expansive; there are creatures within it, countless smaller and larger; there are vessels sailing, this dragon whom you have made to scorn.” It is also said of him, “He is the ruler of all living in the waters, the pinnacle of God's creation, made for wonder to His angels.” Yet, he lies not in one but many rivers. These rivers symbolize various heresies that have infiltrated the present-day Egypt, nourishing the deceived souls with waters that do not come from above but are murky and tainted, which Jeremiah warns against drinking.

To understand the nature of these rivers belonging to the dragon of Egypt, we consider the contrast presented by the Lord when He speaks of His own rivers: “Whoever believes in Me, living waters will flow from his heart.” He assures the Samaritan woman that whoever drinks the water He provides will never thirst again, for it will spring forth within them into everlasting life. These represent the heavenly rivers that David extols, where he states, “The river of God is full of water,” undoubtedly referring to the Church.

Consider the torment of the dragon now: God declares, “I will place a bridle upon your jaws.” Job too speaks of this discipline, saying that the dragon will be caught with a hook and confined. The Lord Himself binds the dragon, silencing him through those schooled in His Word, effectively nullifying all erroneous doctrines. He binds the fish from his rivers onto his scales, so that together, even in defeat, they may become one with him, just as those who cling to the Lord share in one spirit.

This dragon possesses numerous rivers that nourish the low-lying land of Egypt, which lacks elevation and draws from murky springs, as opposed to the pure streams of Shiloam. Therefore the Lord draws him from his waters, preventing him from lying in them and allowing all the fish to cling to his sides. When he is extracted, all of his fish will be drawn out as well. I will cast you into the wilderness where you will be unable to lead anyone astray. Or, I will bring you down from your pride, and you will soon find yourself in this lowly state, for it is written, “The God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet.”

Once the dragon is vanquished and brought low, the fish will also fall, and the weight of sin shall be lifted. He will land on the plain from which he was cast, no longer to be gathered with the congregation of the unrighteous. He will not find refuge with those who once followed him; instead, he will be given over to the beasts and birds of the air, which are a parallel to those who devour the seed sown on the wayside, as interpreted by the Savior.

Thus we see that both the adversary and his followers, referred to as devils, share in this fate. The term “devil” has been applied to Judas, who was one of the chosen. They are likened to celestial beings who seek lofty ambitions. When the dragon, alongside his fish, is thrown down and delivered to the ravenous beasts—who demonstrate no gentleness of spirit—then all in this world shall recognize the sovereignty of the Lord. The overarching reason for this punishment lies in the false assurances he offered to the house of Israel, serving as a feeble staff that lacked the strength to secure true refuge, all while leading them away from the fullness of God.

Scripture clearly expresses the futility of seeking assistance from Egypt, pronouncing woes upon those who turn to it for help. This frail reed even led to the unjust reproach of Hezekiah by Rapsaces, who said, “You trust in this shattered reed, against Egypt: and if a man leans upon it, it will puncture his hand; so it is with Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all who depend on him.” This highlights his role as a hollow support for Israel, leading them to false security rather than strength.

In contrast, consider the staff and rod of the Lord, of which it is said, “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Aaron's rod exemplifies God’s power, swallowing up the serpents of Egypt, and when it struck the waters, plagues were unleashed throughout the land. It was through this same rod that the Lord commanded the winds to bring great devastation to Egypt. The Scriptures also affirm that Aaron's rod blossomed, a sign of God's authority. The apostle, speaking of authority, inquired, “What do you desire, shall I come to you with a rod?”

At the Passover, the faithful were commanded to hold a staff, a symbol of the support needed to endure the exodus. Jesus calls Himself the rod from the root of Jesse, which bears the fullness of the Spirit. In contrast, Pharaoh and the staff of Egypt symbolize rejection, as they offered nothing but betrayal and suffering. Those who leaned on it experienced their strength yielded and their resolve weakened, unable to maintain their stance during the Passover, symbolizing those whose faith in God is tested.

Just as he utilized the sea's imagery in speaking of Tyre, given its coastal nature, here he draws his metaphors from the river. Pharaoh's scales and wings symbolize the dominion and authority under which he and his people inevitably suffer the consequences intended for him. The term bridle serves to illustrate Pharaoh's untamed nature prior to the imposition of restraint. Yet God warns of sending captives into the wilderness, while others may face death.