We have given the hand to the Egyptians,
And to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
In view of the mention of the Assyrians some see this as looking back to the past when they had had to come to an agreement with either Egypt or Assyria in order to be satisfied with bread, rather than looking wholly to YHWH. But the term ‘Assyria' is elsewhere used to refer to countries in the north, Assyria being the first port of call when crossing ‘the River'. Babylonians would come via Assyria. For definite examples of this usage see for example Ezra 6:22; Jeremiah 2:18. Thus this could equally apply to the prophet's time with some being beholden to Egypt and others to Babylon via Assyria. This may indicate that the Babylonians were tightly controlling the food supply. It was an ignominious position to be in.