The voice thereof shall go like a serpent; for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood.
The voice thereof shall go like a serpent - the cry of Egypt, when invaded, shall be like the hissing of a serpent roused by the woodcutters from its lair. No longer shall she loudly roar Iike a heifer, but with a low complaint of fear, as a serpent hissing.
With axes - the Scythian mode of armour. The Chaldeans shall come with such confidence as if not about to have to fight with soldiers, but merely to cut down trees offering no resistance.