I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places. Water "Strange waters" - The word זרים zarim, strange, lost out of the Hebrew text in this place, is supplied from the other copy. A MS. supplies the word רבים rabbim, many, instead of it.
With the sole of my feet - With my infantry.
All the rivers of the besieged places "All the canals of fenced places" - The principal cities of Egypt, the scene of his late exploits, were chiefly defended by deep moats, canals, or large lakes, made by labor and art, with which they were surrounded. See Harmer's Observ. 2 p. Claudian introduces Alaric boasting of his conquests in the same extravagant manner: -
"Subsidere nostris
Sub pedibus montes; arescere vidimus amnes. -
Fregi Alpes, galeisque Padum victricibus hausi."
De Bello Getic. 526.
"The mountains have passed away under our feet; we have seen the rivers dried up. I have broken the Alps, and laden out the Po with our victorious helmets."