I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall. Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt.
As families and states go, some rise while others fall; Egypt's long gathering of strength must be matched by a slow loss of it, God's mercy giving time for repentance. One arm broken already at Carchemish, yet before Egypt's neck and heart are crushed, the Lord deals in steps, not all at once.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 30:20-26
But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon,.... Which is repeated for the sake of confirmation: and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down: as when a man's arms are broken; and he shall not be able to lift them up and defend himself: and they shall know that I am the Lord; namely, the Egyptians, as in Eze 30:19, when I...
But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, 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.