The imagery shifts to a more rural one and Egypt is compared to a snake hissing as it slithers away from danger. The imagery of a snake is significant because snakes played an important role in Egypt’s religion. Snakes were often featured on royal insignia.1 The invading force is compared to woodsmen destroying her habitat and seeking her out. So numerous are the invaders that they are like locusts, and they will cut down her forest.
The image now is of a swarm of locusts destroying everything in their path. Egypt will be put to shame in defeat and she shall be delivered into the hand of a people from the north.
Again, Babylon is not named but certainly implied.
22 Sa voix se fait entendre comme celle du serpent; Car ils s'avancent avec une armée, Ils marchent contre elle avec des haches, Pareils à des bûcherons.