they have been a reed stalk** - Yahweh compares the people of Egypt and Pharaoh with a reed stalk because the people of Israel relied on the Egyptians to help them in war, but the Egyptians were not strong enough to help them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
a plant that grows near water and looks like very large grass
## stalk ##
the part of a reed that that is long and like a thick stick. People can use them like sticks, but the stalks of reeds are not as strong as wood and can break suddenly.
## took hold of you ##
The word "you" refers to Pharaoh.
## you shattered their legs and made their hip to shake ##