Ezekiel — Chapter 29
The first of seven oracles against Egypt (chs. 29-32). Pharaoh is compared to a great dragon lying in the Nile. Lapide's historical commentary draws on Herodotus and Josephus; his allegorical reading sees Egypt as a type of the world and the flesh, and Pharaoh as a type of the devil who boasts 'the Nile is mine and I made it.'
Verse 3
'Draco magne, qui cubas in medio fluminum tuorum' — great dragon lying in your rivers: Lapide identifies the dragon with both the historical Pharaoh and symbolically with Satan, following the Apocalypse's use of 'the great dragon' (Apoc. 12:9). Egypt/Nile = the world of sense and pleasure; the dragon's claim to have made the Nile = the devil's false claim of sovereign ownership of created goods.
Verse 14
I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to their homeland: Lapide notes the unexpected mercy — even Egypt, Israel's ancient oppressor, will receive some measure of restoration. He reads this as evidence that divine judgment always contains an element of mercy, and applies to the hope of eventual conversion of apostate nations.