AC 7623. There are two things which proceed from the Lord and from this in their origin are Divine, the one is Good, and the other is Truth. These consequently are the two things which reign in heaven, nay, which make heaven. In the church these two things are called charity and faith.

AC 7624. When Good and Truth proceed from the Lord they are completely united, and so united as to be not two, but one.  Consequently they are one in heaven; and because they are one in heaven, heaven is an image of the Lord. It would be the same with the church if charity and faith therein were a one.

AC 7625. An idea of the good which is of charity and of the truth which is of faith may be formed from the sun and its light: when the light which proceeds from the sun is conjoined with heat, as is the case in spring and summer, then all things of the earth sprout forth and live; but when there is no heat in the light, as in winter time, then all things of the earth become torpid and die. Moreover in the Word the Lord is compared to the ”sun;“ and truth conjoined with good, which proceeds from Him, is compared to ”light;“ and also in the Word the truth of faith is called ”light,“ and the good of love is called ”fire.“ Moreover love is the fire of life, and faith is the light of life.

AC 7626. From all this an idea can also he formed about the man of the church, as to what he is when with him faith is conjoined with charity, namely, that he is like a garden and a paradise; and what he is when with him faith is not conjoined with charity, namely, that he is like a desert and a land covered with snow.

AC 7627. From the mere light of his natural man everyone can see that Truth and Good are in agreement, and also that they can be conjoined together; and that truth and evil are in disagreement, and that they cannot be conjoined together; and in like manner faith and charity. Experience itself testifies the same: that he who is in evil as to life is either in falsity as to faith, or is in no faith, or is quite opposed to faith. And (what is a secret) he who is in evil as to life is in the falsity of his evil, although he believes that he is in truth. That he so believes is because he is in persuasive faith, of which in what follows.

1. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Come unto Pharaoh; because I have made heavy his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I may put these My signs in the midst of him:

2. And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My signs which I have set in them, and that ye may know that I am Jehovah.

3. And Moses and Aaron came unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah the God of the Hebrews, How long dost thou refuse to be humbled before Me? let My people go, that they may serve Me.

4. For if thou refuse to let My people go, behold tomorrow I will bring the locust into thy border.

5. And it shall cover the surface of the land, and one shall not be able to see the land; and it shall devour the residue of that which is escaped that is left to you from the hail; and it shall devour every tree that sprouteth forth to you out of the field:

6. And thy houses shall be filled, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which thy fathers saw not, nor thy father‘s fathers, since the day that they were upon the ground even unto this day. And he looked back, and went out from before Pharaoh.

7. And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this be a snare to us? send the men away, and let them serve Jehovah their God; knowest thou not yet that Egypt is perishing?

8. And Moses and Aaron were brought back unto Pharaoh; and he said unto them, Go ye, serve Jehovah your God: who and who are going?

9. And Moses said, We will go with our boys, and with our old men; with our sons and with our daughters, with our flock and with our herd, will we go; because we have a feast of Jehovah.

10. And he said unto them, So shall Jehovah be with you, when I let you go, and your babe: see ye that evil is before your faces.

11. Not so: go I pray, ye that are young men, and serve Jehovah; because this ye seek. And he drove them out from the faces of Pharaoh.

12. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch forth thy hand over the land of Egypt for the locust, and it shall come up upon the land of Egypt, and shall devour all the herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.

13. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and Jehovah brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all the night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locust.

14. And the locust went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the border of Egypt, very grievous; before it there was no such locust as this, and after it there shall not be such.

15. And it covered the surface of the whole land, and the land was darkened; and it devoured all the herb of the land, and all the fruit of the tree which the hail had left; and there was not left any green thing in the tree and in the herb of the field, in the whole land of Egypt.

16. And Pharaoh hastened to call Moses and Aaron; and he said, I have sinned to Jehovah your God, and to you.

17. And now forgive I pray my sin only this once, and supplicate ye to Jehovah your God that He remove from upon me this death only.

18. And he went out from before Pharaoh, and supplicated unto Jehovah.

19. And Jehovah turned an exceeding strong sea wind, and took up the locust, and cast it into the sea Suph; there was not left one locust in all the border of Egypt.

20. And Jehovah made firm Pharaoh‘s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go.

21. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand toward heaven, and there shall be thick darkness upon the land of Egypt, and one shall grope in thick darkness.

22. And Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven; and there was a most dense thick darkness in the whole land of Egypt three days.

23. They saw not a man his brother, and there rose not up anyone from what was under him for three days; and all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings.

24. And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve Jehovah; only your flock and your herd shall stay; your babe also shall go with you.

25. And Moses said, Thou shalt also give into our hand sacrifices and burnt-offerings, that we may perform it unto Jehovah our God.

26. And our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind; for thereof we must take to serve Jehovah our God; and we know not with what we must serve Jehovah until we come thither.

27. And Jehovah made firm Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go.

28. And Pharaoh said to him, Go away from before me, take heed to thyself that thou see my faces no more; for in the day thou seest my faces thou shalt die.

29. And Moses said, Thou hast rightly spoken: I will see thy faces again no more.

AC 7628. In this chapter in the internal sense there is further continued the subject of the vastation of those who infest those who are of the spiritual church.  The ninth and tenth states or degrees of vastation, which are described by the ”locust“ and by the ”thick darkness,“ whereby is signified falsity from evil devastating all things of the church with them, are now treated of.

AC 7629. Verses 1-6. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Come unto Pharaoh, because I have made heavy his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I may put these My signs in the midst of him; and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son‘s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My signs which I have set in them, and that ye may know that I am Jehovah.  And Moses and Aaron came unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah the God of the Hebrews, How long dost thou refuse to be humbled before Me? let My people go, that they may serve Me. For if thou refuse to let My people go, behold to-morrow I bring the locust into thy border; and it shall cover the surface of the land, that one shall not be able to see the land; and it shall devour the residue of that which is escaped that is left to you from the hail; and it shall devour every tree that sprouteth forth to you out of the field: and thy houses shall be filled, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians, which thy fathers saw not, nor thy father’s fathers, since the day that they were upon the ground even unto this day.  And he looked back, and went out from before Pharaoh.  ”And Jehovah said unto Moses,“ signifies a command; ”Come unto Pharaoh,“ signifies the presence of truth from the Divine with those who infest; ”because I have made heavy his heart, and the heart of his servants,“ signifies that they all in general were determined; ”that I may put these My signs in the midst of them,“ signifies that the evil may know that they are in evil, and that the good may be enlightened as to the state of those within the church who live evilly; ”and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son‘s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt,“ signifies that they who are in truth and good may know what befalls those who are of the church and infest the upright; ”and My signs which I have set in their,“ signifies that they may be enlightened with respect to the state of those who are of the church and live evilly; ”and that ye may know that I am Jehovah,“ signifies that thus it may be known to them that the Lord is the only God; ”and Moses and Aaron came unto Pharaoh,“ signifies the presence of truth Divine; ”and said unto him,“ signifies discernment; ”Thus saith Jehovah the God of the Hebrews,“ signifies a command from the Lord, who is the God of the church; ”How long dost thou refuse to be humbled before Me?“ signifies disobedience; ”let My people go, that they may serve Me,“ signifies that they should leave those who are of the spiritual church, that they may worship the Lord; ”for if thou refuse to let My people go,“ signifies if they would not leave them; ”behold tomorrow I bring the locust into thy border,“ signifies that falsity will take possession of their extremes; ”and it shall cover the surface of the land,“ signifies the ultimates of the natural mind thence derived; ”that one shall not be able to see the land,“ signifies the consequent darkening of the whole natural mind; ”and it shall devour the residue of that which is escaped that is left to you from the hail,“ signifies the consuming of all things that have anything from truths; ”and it shall devour every tree that sprouteth forth to you out of the field,“ signifies thus the consuming of all the knowledges which they have from the church; ”and thy houses shall be filled, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians,“ signifies that falsity will reign in each and all things in the natural, from its interior to its outermost; ”which thy fathers saw not, nor thy father’s fathers, since the day that they were upon the ground even unto this day,“ signifies that from ancient time such falsity has not been in the church as there is there; ”and he looked back, and went out from before Pharaoh,“ signifies privation of discernment, and separation.

AC 7630. And Jehovah said unto Moses.  That this signifies a command, namely, one that was to be brought before Pharaoh, is evident from the signification of” saying,“ when by Jehovah to those who infest, as being a command (n. 7036, 7107, 7310).

AC 7631. Come unto Pharaoh.  That this signifies the presence of truth from the Divine with those who infest, is evident from the signification of ”coming“ or ”entering“ to anyone, as being presence (n. 5934, 6003, 6089, 7498); from the representation of Moses, as being truth from the Divine (n. 6771, 6827); and from the representation of Pharaoh, as being those who in the other life infest those who are of the spiritual church (n. 6651, 6679, 6683, 7107, 7110, 7126, 7142, 7220, 7228).

AC 7632. For I have made heavy his heart, and the heart of his servants.  That this signifies that they all in general were determined, is evident from the signification of ”making heavy,“ ”making hard,“ and ”making firm, the heart,“ as being to be determined (n. 7272, 7300, 7305); and from the representation of Pharaoh, whose heart was made heavy, as being those who infest; and when it is said ”he and his servants,“ all in general are signified, for the servants together with him constitute the household. Its being said that Jehovah ”made heavy the heart of Pharaoh,“ in the internal sense signifies that Pharaoh made heavy his own heart. In ancient times, for the sake of the simple, all evil was attributed to Jehovah; and this because the simple could not know, and most of them could not comprehend, how that which came to pass could come from any other source than Jehovah; nor how it is to be understood that Jehovah permits the diabolical crew to occasion evil, and why He does not prevent it, when yet He has all power.  As the simple could not apprehend this, nor scarcely even the intelligent, it was therefore said, as believed by many, that even evil had sprung from Jehovah.  This is a common thing in the Word, the sense of the letter of which is in accordance with the faith of the simple. The evil, which in the Word is attributed to Jehovah, is from man, (n. 2447, 6071, 6991, 6997, 7533).

AC 7633. That I may set these My signs in the midst of them.  That this signifies that the evil may know that they are in evil, and that the good may be enlightened as to the state of those within the church who live evilly, is evident from the signification of ”signs,“ as being confirmations of truths, and thus knowledges (n. 6870), and also enlightenments (n. 7012); hence ”to set signs in the midst of them“ denotes that the evil may know that they are in evil.  That it also denotes that the good may be enlightened as to the state of those within the church who live evilly, is plain from what presently follows, where it is said, ”and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son‘s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My signs which I have set in them,“ whereby is signified that they who are in truth and good may know what befalls those of the church who infest the upright. They who in the other life infest the upright are those who have been of the church and have known the precepts of faith, and yet have lived contrary to them, (n. 7317, 7502, 7545, 7554).

AC 7634. And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt. That this signifies that they who are in truth and good may know what befalls those who are of the church and infest the upright, is evident from the signification of ”telling in the ears,“ as being that they may know and take notice; and from the signification of ”son,“ and” son‘s son,“ as being those who are in truth and good. ”Son“ denotes truth, (n. 489-491, 1147, 2623, 3373); also that the ”sons of sons“ denote the things derived, (n. 6583). Here ”sons“ denote those who are in truth and also in good, because by them are signified those who are of the church; and therefore ”thy son’s son“ is said to Moses, by whom is represented the law Divine, which is the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord‘s Divine good; thus it is the Divine truth to which is united the Divine good (n. 7623, 7624), from which is the church: and from the signification of ”what things I have wrought in Egypt,“ as being that which befalls those who in the other life infest the upright. That by ”signs“ is signified that which befalls, and by ”Pharaoh and the Egyptians“ those who in the other life infest, is evident from what has been said before. They who infest have been of the church, (n. 7633).

AC 7635. And My signs which I have set in them.  That this signifies that they may be enlightened with respect to the state of those who are of the church and live evilly, is evident from what was said above (n. 7633), where are like words.

AC 7636. That ye may know that I am Jehovah.  That this signifies that thus it may be known to them that the Lord is the only God, is evident from the signification of ”that ye may know,“ as being that it may be known to them.  That by ”I am Jehovah“ is signified that the Lord is the only God, is because the name ”Jehovah“ signifies Is, thus Him from whom is the being and coming-forth of all things, who cannot but be the sole and only one. ”Jehovah“ denotes the Lord, (n. 1343, 1736, 2921, 3023, 3035, 5663, 6303, 6905, 6945, 6956); and by these words is meant that He is the only God, (n. 7401, 7444, 7544, 7598).

AC 7637. And Moses and Aaron came unto Pharaoh.  That this signifies the presence of truth Divine, is evident from the signification of ”coming“ or ”entering,“ as being presence (n. 7631); and from the representation of Moses and Aaron, as being truth Divine--Moses the internal, Aaron the external (n. 7089, 7382).

AC 7638. And said unto him.  That this signifies discernment, is evident from the signification of ”saving,“ as being to notice (n. 1791, 1815, 1819, 1822, 1898, 1919, 2080, 2619, 2862, 3395, 3509, 5743, 5877); that by ”they said“ is here meant to discern, is because by Moses and Aaron is represented truth Divine, and by ”to come,“ the presence thereof; and discernment is from the presence of truth Divine.

AC 7639. Thus said Jehovah the God of the Hebrew’s.  That this signifies a command from the Lord, who is the God of the church, is evident from the signification of ”saying,“ when by Jehovah to those who infest, as being a command (n. 7630); and from the signification of ”the Hebrews,“ as being those who are of the church (n. 5136, 6675, 6684, 6738). ”Jehovah God“ denotes the Lord, (n. 7636).

AC 7640. How long dost thou refuse to be humbled before Me?  That this signifies no obedience, is evident from the signification of ”refusing to be humbled,“ as being not to obey.  This is signified because it is said to those who are in evil, who cannot be humbled before the Divine; for there are two things in humiliation, namely, the acknowledgment of self, that it is nothing but evil, and that relatively to the Divine it is as nothing; and the acknowledgment of the Divine, that it is nothing but good, and is infinite.  These two things are not possible with the evil, because they are in the love of self.  If they humble themselves it is either from fear, or that they may be honored or enriched; thus they humble themselves only as to the body, and not as to the mind, which sometimes then jeers.  Such is the humiliation of fear, and also that for the sake of gain and honor.  Such it is before the Divine, although they do not know this; for the internal with those who are in evil from the love of self is solely to regard and magnify themselves, and to turn away from all who do not favor.  As humiliation is not possible with the evil, therefore in the internal sense by ”to be humbled“ is signified obedience, and thus by ”refusing to be humbled“ is signified no obedience.

AC 7641. Let My people go, that they may serve Me.  That this signifies that they should leave those who are of the spiritual church in order that they may worship the Lord, is evident from what was said above (n. 7500), where are the same words.

AC 7642. For if thou refuse to let my people go.  That this signifies if they did not leave them, is evident from the signification of ”to let go,“ as being to leave; thus ”refusing to let go“ denotes not to be willing to leave.

AC 7643. Behold to-morrow I bring the locust into thy border.  That this signifies that falsity will take possession of their extremes,   is evident from the signification of ”the locust,“ as being falsities in the extremes; from the signification of ”border,“ as being the extremes; and from the signification of ”bringing,“ because predicated of falsity, as being to take possession of.  It is said that ”Jehovah will bring,“ but thereby is meant that it will be brought, that is, by evil.  The case is the same here as when it is attributed to Jehovah (that is, to the Lord) that He made heavy Pharaoh‘s heart, when yet this is from man, from his evil in him, as shown above (n. 7632).  That evil is not from the Lord, but that it arises from man, is because man turns to himself that good which flows in from the Lord, and instead of regarding the Lord and what is of the Lord in all things, he regards himself.  Hence comes the concupiscence of reigning over all, and of possessing all that belongs to others; and hence come contempt for others, and hatred, revenge, and cruelty toward those who do not favor and be friendly to one’s self; hence also comes contempt for all things that are of faith and charity, because when these flow in from the Lord they are turned to self, thus away from the Lord.

[2] From all this it can be seen that man turns into evil the very good which flows in from the Lord.  From this also it is that the evil in the other life remove as far as possible from heaven; for when heaven comes near them, that is, when good and truth flow in more strongly, they then rush the more strongly into the opposite, that is, into evil and falsity; and in the degree that evil and falsity increase, they expel truth from themselves, and devastate themselves; and then also in the same degree they rush into the evils of penalty, for in the other life evils and their penalties are joined together.

[3] The Lord is continually bringing the heavens into order, and is constantly receiving new residents of heaven, to whom He gives dwelling places and inheritances; and when He does this, heaven approaches, that is, flows in more strongly, causing the infernal spirits to rush more strongly into evils and falsities, and into the penalties of these; and in consequence of this rushing into evils and falsities, they as before said vastate themselves; and this does not cease with them until they have completely devastated themselves, and cast themselves deeply into the hells.  From all this it can be seen that nothing else than good proceeds from the Lord, and that the evil is from those themselves who are in evil.  All this shows how is to be understood what is said of Jehovah (that is, of the Lord), that ”He made heavy Pharaoh‘s heart,“ and here that ”He brings the locust,“ by which is signified falsity from evil in the extremes.

[4] In the Word, where the vastation of the evil is treated of, mention is sometimes made of the ”locust“ and of the ”caterpillar,“ and by the ”locust“ in the internal sense is there meant the falsity which vastates the extremes.  For as before shown, the natural with man is interior and exterior; the falsity which is in the extremes of the natural, being meant by the ”locust,“ and the evil therein by the ”caterpillar.“ As by the ”locust“ is meant the falsity which is in the extremes of the natural, therefore it is said that the locust would be brought ”into the border,“ and would ”cover the surface of the earth;“ and afterward (verse 14), ”the locust went up upon the land of Egypt, and rested in all the border of Egypt, and it covered the surface of the whole land.“ By the ”border“ and by the ”surface“ are signified the extremes and ultimates in which the interiors rest, that is, terminate.

[5] The same is meant by the ”locust“ and the ”caterpillar“ in David:--

He sent among them swarms, which consumed them; and the frog, which destroyed them; and He gave their produce to the caterpillar, and their labor to the locust (Ps. 78:45, 46).

He said that the locust should come, and the caterpillar, so that there was no number (Ps. 105:34).

These things are said of Egypt, and the ”caterpillar“ is mentioned, although there is no mention made of it in Moses, but only of the ”locust.“ The reason why the ”caterpillar“ also is mentioned, is that by it is signified evil; and by the ”locust“ falsity; each in the extremes of the natural.  But when the ”locust“ alone is mentioned, it signifies both falsity and evil together, for the ”locust“ denotes falsity from evil.

[6] In Nahum:--

There shall the fire devour thee, the sword shall cut thee off, it shall devour thee like the caterpillar; multiply thyself like the caterpillar, multiply thyself like the locust. Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of the heavens; the caterpillar hath spread himself, and hath flown away. Thy crowned ones are as the locust, thy commanders are as the locust of the locusts (Nahum 3:15-17);

the subject here treated of is the ”city of bloods,“ by which is signified the doctrine of falsity; and because falsity and evil are especially multiplied in the extremes of the natural, for therein are the fallacies of the senses that originate from the objects of the world, and of the earth, and also pleasures from various kinds of appetites, therefore the multiplication of evil and falsity is also described by ”the caterpillar and the locust,“ as also in (Judges 6:5; 7:12; Jeremiah 46:23). The sensuous, which is the lowest of the natural, is very full of fallacies and the derivative falsities, (n. 5084, 5089, 5094, 6310, 6311, 6313, 6318, 6598, 6612, 6614, 6622, 6624, 6948, 6949).

[7] In Joel:--

That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust devoured; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm devoured; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpillar devoured. Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, in that it is cut off. For a nation will come up upon My land, strong, and without number, and will reduce My vine into a waste, and My fig-tree into froth (Joel 1:4-7).

The threshing-floors are full of pure grain, and the vats overflow with new wine and oil; and I will compensate to you the years that the locust hath consumed, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmerworm (Joel 2:24, 25);

where the ”locust“ denotes falsity in the extremes vastating truths and goods.  In Moses:--

Thou shalt bring out much seed into the field, but shalt gather little, because the locust shall consume it. Thou shalt plant vineyards, but thou shalt neither drink the wine, nor gather; for the worm shall devour it (Deut. 28:38, 39);

where the ”locust“ denotes falsity from evil.

[8] In John:--

Out of the smoke of the opened abyss there went forth locusts on the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power; and it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any tree, but only such men as had not the seal of God upon their foreheads; and it was given them that they should not kill them, but should torment them five months; and the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as it were the faces of men; and they had hair as the hair of women; and their teeth were as the teeth of lions; and they had breastplates, as it were of lion; and the voice of their wings was as the voice of the chariots of many horses running to war; and they had tails like scorpions; and stings were in their tails, that they might hurt men five months.  They have over them a king, the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in the Greek he hath the name Apollyon (Rev. 9:3-11);

what is signified by all these things no one can see except from the internal sense.  From the details clearly seen therein according to the internal sense, it is evident that by ”locusts“ are there signified reasonings from fallacies and the falsities thence derived, also confirmed by philosophical things.  Thus also by the ”locusts“ are signified the falsities which are in the extremes with man, and which are more earthly and corporeal than all other falsities; and by which man may be easily deceived and seduced, for he apprehends what is obvious to the senses, and with difficulty what is opposed to the senses.

[9] That it may be known that such is the signification of ”locusts,“ the contents of this passage may be set forth in detail. The ”abyss out of which the locusts came up“ denotes hell; the ”grass of the earth which they were not to hurt“ denotes memory-knowledge; the ”tree“ denotes the knowledges of good and truth; the ”men“ denote the affections of good; their ”hurting these, and not the grass of the earth and the tree,“ denotes that truth and good can be understood although the life is not in accordance therewith; ”they who have the seal upon their foreheads“ denotes those who have been regenerated; their ”tormenting five months those who had not the seal of God upon their foreheads“ denotes that they should vastate them; that ”the locusts were like horses prepared for war,“ denotes reasonings from falsities, whereby there is combat against the truths of the church; ”crowns upon their heads like gold, and their faces as men’s faces,“ denotes that the reasonings appear like truth, and as it were from good; ”hair as of women, and teeth as the teeth of lions,“ denotes the external things of the natural, that is, sensuous things, or the fallacies therein, which make an appearance of good; ”breastplates of iron“ denote external things which make an appearance of truth; ”the voice of the wings like that of the chariots of many horses running to war,“ denotes the falsities of doctrine from which and for which they fight; ”tails like scorpions and stings in their tails“ denote the harm which such things bring; the ”king of the abyss“ denotes infernal falsity; ”Abaddon“ denotes perdition; ”Apollyon“ denotes reasoning from falsities appearing as from truth, especially if by those who are believed wise it is confirmed by philosophical things wrongly applied, for the blind admiration of their wisdom leads to faith in them.

[10] By the ”locust“ in a good sense is signified ultimate and most general truth, and also its pleasantness; hence John‘s food was ”locusts and wild honey“ (Matt. 3:4; Mark 1:6). These were his food for the reason that John represented the Word, and by his food, as also by his clothing which was of camel’s hair with a leathern girdle, he represented the Word in the external sense, for external pleasantness is signified by the ”locust and wild honey“ (n. 5620); and external truth by the ”garment of camel‘s hair“ and by the ”leathern girdle“ (n. 3301). Hence it is that by John is meant Elias, who was to come and announce the advent of the Lord. ”Elias“ denotes the Word, (n. 2135a, 2762, 5247). Locusts are among the small animals to be eaten, (Lev. 11:22).

AC 7644. And it shall cover the surface of the land.  That this signifies the ultimates of the natural mind, is evident from the signification of ”the surface,“ as being things external, thus ultimate; and from the signification of ”the land,“ here the land of Egypt, as being the natural mind (n. 5276, 5278, 5280, 5288, 5301).

AC 7645. That one shall not be able to see the land.  That this signifies the consequent darkening of the whole natural mind, is evident from the signification of ”not being able to see,“ as being a darkening, that is, no perception of truth; and from the signification of the ”land of Egypt,“ as being the natural mind (n. 7644).  How the case herein is, that from the vastation of the extremes or outermost things in the natural the whole natural mind is darkened, shall be briefly told. The interiors in man terminate in his ultimates, that is, in his outermost things, and there the successive things in him are together.  When there is nothing but falsity and evil in the ultimates, then the truths and goods which flow in from the interiors into the ultimates, flow there into evils and falsities, and consequently are there turned into such things, and for this reason there appears nothing but what is false and evil in the whole natural.  This is meant by the darkening of the whole natural mind which is signified by ”not being able to see the land.“ From this also it is that when infernal spirits have been devastated they are in the outermost things of the natural; nor is their light, which is called intellectual light, unlike that of this world, which in the other life becomes thick darkness in the presence of the light of heaven. As the outermost of the natural, which is called the sensuous, is replete with fallacies and the falsities thence derived, and with pleasures and the evils thence derived (n. 6844, 6845), and as the hells are in this light, therefore when a man is being regenerated he is endowed by the Lord with the capacity of being elevated from this sensuous toward more interior things (n. 6183, 6313, 7442).

AC 7646. And it shall devour the residue of that which is escaped that is left to you from the hail.  That this signifies the consuming of all things that have anything from truth, is evident from the signification of ”to devour,“ as being to be consumed; and from the signification of ”the residue of that which is escaped that is left from the hail,“ as being the truth consumed by the former falsity which is signified by the ”hail.“  ”Hail“ denotes falsity, (n. 7553, 7574). The falsities which the ”hail“ signifies are falsities in the exterior natural; but the falsities which the ”locust“ signifies are falsities in its extremes, and these falsities are what consume the most general truths and goods; for what is exterior is also more general, and what is external is most general.  When the generals have been destroyed, the particulars are dispersed; for it is generals that contain, and particulars that are contained

AC 7647. And it shall devour every tree that sprouteth forth to you out of the field.  That this signifies thus the consuming of all the knowledges which they have from the church, is evident from the signification of ”to devour,“ as being to consume (n. 7646); from the signification of ”tree,“ as being perception, also knowledges of truth and good (n. 2722, 2972); and from the signification of ”field,“ as being the church (n. 2971, 3317, 3766, 4440, 7502, 7571).

AC 7648. And thy houses shall be filled, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians.  That this signifies that falsity will reign in each and all things in the natural, from its anterior to its outermost, is evident from the signification of ”to be filled,“ as being to reign; and from the signification of the ”houses of Pharaoh, the houses of all his servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians,“ as being each and all things in the natural (n. 7353, 7355), here from its interior to its outermost (n. 7645). That ”to be filled“ denotes to reign, is because when the mind of man is filled with falsities from evils, insomuch that he has a delight in seducing by means of falsities and in doing evils, then it is said that ”falsity reigns with him,“ and the affection itself is said to be ”reigning.“ That is said ”to reign universally“ which fills the whole mind of man, that is, both his thought and his will; that which a man loves above all things and regards as the ultimate end, thus reigns with him; and this is in the veriest singulars of his will and of his thought. Of what nature is that which universally reigns, can be known from the delight when it succeeds, and from the pain when it does not succeed. That which universally reigns with a man, makes the visible presentation of his spirit, his face being wholly in accordance with it. If evil and falsity are that which reigns, the form of his spirit is diabolical; but if good and truth are that which reigns, the form is angelic; for regarded in itself the spirit is the affection in form, and the ruling affection is its veriest form, and the rest of its affections apply themselves to it.

AC 7649. Which thy fathers saw not, nor thy father’s fathers, since the day that they were upon the ground even unto this day.  That this signifies that from ancient time such falsity has not been in the church as there is there, is evident from the signification of ”which they saw not“ (that is, the locust), as being that there had not been such falsity (the ”locust“ denotes falsity in the extremes, (n. 7643); from the signification of ”fathers,“ and of ”father‘s fathers,“ as being from ancient time; and from the signification of ”the ground,“ as being the church (n. 566, 1068).  ”Since the day that they were upon the ground even unto this day“ signifies the state in which the church was from that time to this. ”Day“ denotes state, (n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 2788, 3462, 4850); and how this is, (n. 7686).

AC 7650. And he looked back, and went out from before Pharaoh.  That this signifies privation of discernment, and separation, is evident from the representation of Moses, of whom it is said that he ”looked back and went out,“ as being truth from the Divine; from the representation of Pharaoh, as being those who infest (n. 7631); from the signification of ”looking back,“ as being the privation of discernment, for a man is deprived of discernment when truth from the Divine looks back, that is, averts itself, that is to say, when the man averts himself from it; and from the signification of ”going out,“ as being separation (n. 6100, 7404).

AC 7651. Verses 7-11. And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare to us? let the men go, and let them serve Jehovah their God; knowest thou not yet that Egypt is perishing? And Moses and Aaron were brought back unto Pharaoh; and he said unto them, Go ye, serve Jehovah your God: who and who are going? And Moses said, We will go with our boys, and with our old men; with our sons and with our daughters, with our flock and with our herd, will we go, because we have a feast of Jehovah.  And he said unto them, So shall Jehovah be with you when I let you go, and your babe; see ye that evil is before your faces.  Not so: go I pray, ye that are young men, and serve Jehovah; because this ye seek.  And he drove them out from the faces of Pharaoh.  ”And Pharaoh‘s servants said unto him,“ signifies a warning from those who are in fear; ”How long shall this man be a snare to us?“ signifies that thus they would be caught by their own evil; ”let the men go, and let them serve Jehovah their God,“ signifies that it would be prudent to leave them, so that they may worship the Lord their God; ”knowest thou not yet that Egypt is perishing?“ signifies that from what has happened it can he known that all who harass those simple ones are cast down into hell, whence there is no escape; ”and Moses and Aaron were brought back unto Pharaoh,“ signifies the presence of truth Divine in consequence; ”and he said unto them,“ signifies inclination; ”Go ye, serve Jehovah your God,“ signifies that they shall be left, so that they may worship the Lord; ”who and who are going?“ signifies whether any would remain; ”and Moses said,“ signifies the answer; ”We will go with our boys, and with our old men,“ signifies the simple and the wise; ”with our sons and with our daughters,“ signifies those who are in the affection of truth, and those who are in the affection of good; ”with our flock and with our herd will we go,“ signifies those who are in interior good, and those who are in exterior good; ”because we have a feast of Jehovah,“ signifies the worship of the Lord by all and each; ”and he said unto them,“ signifies derision; ”So shall Jehovah be with you when I let you go, and your babe,“ signifies as if the Lord would be with them if they were left; ”see ye that evil is before your faces,“ signifies that in the desire there is no good; ”not so,“ signifies denial; ”go I pray, ye that are young men, and serve Jehovah,“ signifies that they who are in confirmed truths shall be left so that they may worship the Lord; ”because this ye seek,“ signifies that thus they have what they wish; ”and he drove them out from the faces of Pharaoh,“ signifies that the will of the infesters was quite contrary to truth Divine.

AC 7652. And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him.  That this signifies a warning from those who are in fear, is evident from the signification of ”saying,“ when done by those who see their own destruction, to those in the society who are determined, as being a warning; and from the signification of ”Pharaoh‘s servants,“ as being those who infest who are of a lower condition and are in fear; that they are in fear, is plain from their words, ”how long shall this man be a snare to us? send the men away, that they may serve Jehovah their God, knowest thou not yet that Egypt is perishing?“ which words are clearly from fear; and also from the fact that by ”Pharaoh’s servants“ are meant the evil who infest, and the evil never advise what is good except from fear (n. 7280).

AC 7653. How long shall this man be a snare to us?  That this signifies that thus they would be caught by their own evil, is evident from the signification of ”this man being a snare,“ as being to be caught by their own evil, and thus brought into the evil of the penalty.

AC 7654. Let the men go, and let them serve Jehovah their God.  That this signifies that it would be prudent to leave them, so that they may worship the Lord their God, is evident from the signification of ”to let go,“ as being to leave; and from the signification of ”serving Jehovah,“ as being to worship the Lord their God (n. 7500, 7540, 7641).

AC 7655. Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is perishing? That this signifies that from what has happened it can be known that all who harass those simple ones are cast down into hell, whence there is no escape, is evident from the signification of ”knowest thou not yet?“ as being that from what has happened it can be known; from the signification of ”to perish,“ as being to be cast down into hell, whence there is no escape--in the spiritual sense this is signified by ”perishing,“ in like manner as by ”dying“ or ”death,“ which denotes damnation and hell (n. 5407, 6119, 7494);--and from the signification of ”Egypt,“ as being infestation (n. 7278), thus also those who infest.  But as it is these infesters who are speaking, it is not said ”who infest,“ but ”who harass;“ for the evil excuse their evil and make light of it; nor is it said that they harass ”those of the spiritual church,“ but ”those who are simple,“ for the evil call all those ”simple“ who are of the church and live according to its truths and goods, that is, a life of faith and of charity.

AC 7656. And Moses and Aaron were brought back unto Pharaoh.  That this signifies the presence of truth Divine in consequence, is evident from the signification of ”being brought back,“ as being to be made present; and from the representation of Moses and Aaron, as being truth Divine, Moses internal, and Aaron external (n. 7089, 7382).

AC 7657. And he said unto them.  That this signifies inclination, is evident from what follows, in that under the impulse of fear he was willing to let them go.  This will or inclination is contained in ”he said unto them.“

AC 7658. Go ye, serve Jehovah your God.  That this signifies that they shall be left, so that they may worship the Lord, is evident from the signification of ”serving Jehovah,“ as being to worship the Lord (n. 7500, 7540, 7641, 7654).  That ”go ye,“ or ”go ye away,“ when said by Pharaoh to Moses with respect to the sons of Israel,” denotes that they should be left, is evident.

AC 7659. Who and who are going?  That this signifies whether any would remain, is evident without explication.

AC 7660. And Moses said.  That this signifies the answer, is evident.

AC 7661. We will go with our boys, and with our old men. That this signifies the simple and the wise, is evident from the signification of “boys,” when joined to “old men,” as being the simple, for “old men” denote the wise (n. 3183, 6524, 6890).

AC 7662. With our sons and with our daughters.  That this signifies those who are in the affection of truth and those who are in the affection of good, is evident from the signification of “sons,” as being the truths of the church (n. 489, 491, 533, 1147, 2623, 3373), thus the affections, because truths without affection are not anything; and from the signification of “daughters,” as being goods (n. 489-491), thus the affections of good (n. 2362, 3963).

AC 7663. With our flock and with our herd will we go. That this signifies those who are in interior good and those who are in exterior good, is evident from the signification of “flock,” as being interior good; and of “herd,” as being exterior good (n. 5913, 6048).  By the words in this verse, that “they would go with their boys and their old men, and with their sons and with their daughters, and with their flock and with their herd,” is meant in the internal sense everything that belongs to the church, both the external and the internal church. The things of the external church are meant by “boys,” and “herd;” and the things of the internal church by “old men,” “daughters,” and “flock;” for “old men” denote wisdom; “daughters,” the affections of good; and “flock,” good itself, which are of the internal church; whereas “boys” denote simplicities; “sons,” the affections of truth; and “herd,” external good, which are of the external church.

AC 7664. Because we have a feast of Jehovah.  That this signifies the worship of the Lord by all and each, is evident from the signification of a “feast,” as being worship from a glad mind (n. 7093).  That it denotes the worship of the Lord is because “Jehovah” in the Word denotes the Lord (n. 1343, 1736, 2921, 3023, 3035, 5663, 6303, 6905, 6945, 6956); that it denotes worship by all and each, is plain from what immediately precedes, where it is said that “they would go with their boys and their old men, with sons and with daughters, and with flock and herd.”

AC 7665. And he said unto them.  That this signifies derision, is evident from the words which Pharaoh says: “So shall Jehovah be with you when I let you go, and your babe,” which are words of derision, and which signify, as if the Lord would be with them if they were left.

AC 7666. See ye that evil is before your faces.  That this signifies that in the desire there is no good, is evident from the signification of “faces,” as being the interiors in respect to the affections and the derivative thoughts (n. 358, 1999, 2434, 3527, 3573, 4066, 4797, 5102, 5168, 5695, 6604); and as “faces” denote the affections, they denote also the desires.  Hence it is that “evil before your faces” signifies that in the affections or in the desire there is no good.

AC 7667. Not so.  That this signifies denial, is evident without explication.

AC 7668. Go I pray, ye that are young men, and serve Jehovah.  That this signifies that they who are in confirmed truths shall be left, so that they may worship the Lord, is evident from the signification of “go ye,” as being that they shall be left (n. 7658); from the signification of “young men,” as being truths confirmed; and from the signification of “serving Jehovah,” as being to worship the Lord (n. 7654, 7658, 7664).  That “young men” denote those who are in confirmed truths, is because by “sons,” “boys,” “young men,” “men,” and “old men” are signified the things that are of intelligence and wisdom in their order. Such things are meant in heaven instead of men of these ages; for they who are in heaven are in spiritual ideas, into which what is of mere nature and the world cannot enter, but is instantly put off and passes into what is conformable to the wisdom of heaven and to angelic thought; hence by “sons,” “boys,” “young men,” “men,” and “old men,” in the spiritual sense cannot he signified those who are so called; but corresponding spiritual things, which are those which pertain to intelligence and wisdom; that these are signified is very manifest from the internal sense in the Word where they are mentioned.

[2] By “young men” in the Word are meant those who are intelligent, or according to abstract angelic ideas, intelligence; and because intelligence is meant, therefore by them confirmed truth is also meant, for this pertains to intelligence. Moreover the word by which “young men” is here expressed in the original tongue is derived from the strength and power which truth has from good, thus which confirmed truth has; whence this name is attributed to the Lord.  In Zechariah:--

O sword, rise up against My shepherd, and against the man (young man) My neighbor; smite the shepherd, and let the sheep be scattered (Zech. 13:7);

but these words were spoken of the Lord, see (Matt. 26:31). And also in Jeremiah:--

How long dost thou wander about, O thou backsliding daughter? for Jehovah hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman hath encompassed a man (young man) (Jer. 30:1).

[3] “Young men” in another word in the original tongue denote intelligence, thus its truth, in Amos:--

I have sent among you the pestilence in the way of Egypt; your young men have I slain with the sword, with the captivity of the horses (Amos 4:10);

where “the way of Egypt” denotes memory-knowledges perverted; the “young men who were slain,” the truths thence destroyed; “the captivity of the horses,” the intellectual seduced.

[4] In the same:--

They shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even unto the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and the young men faint for thirst (Amos 8:12, 13);

where “fair virgins” denote the affection of truth; “young men” intelligence; “to faint for thirst” denotes to be deprived of truth; therefore it is said, “they shall run to and fro to seek the word of Jehovah and shall not find it.”  That fair virgins are not meant, nor young men, nor faintness by reason of thirst, is plain.  In Jeremiah:--

Death is come up through our windows, it is entered into our palaces; to cut off the babe from the street, the young men from the avenues (Jer. 9:21).

How is the city of glory not forsaken, the city of my joy?  wherefore her young men shall fall in her streets (Jer. 49:25, 26; 50:30).

Hear, I pray, all ye peoples, see my grief; my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity (Lam. 1:18).

In these passages “young men” denote the truths which are of intelligence.

AC 7669. Because this ye seek.  That this signifies that thus they have what they wish, is evident without explication.

AC 7670. And he drove them from the faces of Pharaoh. That this signifies that the will of the infesters is quite contrary to truth Divine, is evident from the representation of Moses and Aaron, who were driven out, as being truth Divine (n. 7637); from the representation of Pharaoh, as being those who infest (n. 7631); and from the signification of “faces,” as being the interiors in respect to the affections (n. 7666), thus the will, for the affections are of the will, but the thoughts are of the understanding.  That the will was contrary, is signified by “he drove them from his faces,” for that is driven out which is contrary to the will, or contrary to the affections which are of the will.

AC 7671. Verses 12-15. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand over the land of Egypt for the locust, and it shall come up upon the land of Egypt, and shall devour all the herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. And Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and Jehovah brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all the night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locust.  And the locust went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the border of Egypt, very grievous; before it there was no such locust as this, and after it there shall not be such.  And it covered the surface of the whole land, and the land was darkened: and it devoured all the herb of the land, and all the fruit of the tree which the hail had left; and there was not left any green thing in the tree and in the herb of the field, in the whole land of Egypt.  “And Jehovah said unto Moses,” signifies instruction; “Stretch out thy hand,” signifies the rule of power; “over the land of Egypt for the locust,” signifies that falsity may take possession of all the natural of the infesters; “and it shall come up upon the land of Egypt,” signifies a pouring out into all things therein; “and shall devour all the herb of the land,” signifies the consumption of all truth; “even all that the hail hath left,” signifies which the former falsity has not consumed; “and Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt,” signifies the rule of the power of truth Divine over the whole natural of the infesters; “and Jehovah brought an east wind upon the land,” signifies the means of destruction; “all that day, and all the night,” signifies in everything of perception, both obscure and not obscure, with the infesters; “and when it was morning,” signifies a state of heaven in order; “the east wind brought the locust,” signifies dense falsity with the infesters through the means of destruction; “and the locust went up over all the land of Egypt,” signifies the pouring out of falsity into all things of the natural; “and rested in all the border of Egypt,” signifies from the extremes there; “very grievous,” signifies that it pervaded all things and each; before it there was no such locust as this, and after it there shall not be such,“ signifies that such falsity has not been from the first time of the church, and shall not he ”and it covered the surface of the whole land,“ signifies that it took possession of the ultimates of the natural mind; ”and the land was darkened,“ signifies that falsity was brought in where truth was; ”and it devoured all the herb of the land,“ signifies that it consumed all the memory-knowledge of truth; ”and all the fruit of the tree which the hail had left,“ signifies all the knowing of good; ”and there remained not any green thing,“ signifies that all sensitivity of truth was obliterated; ”in the tree and in the herb of the field,“ signifies from the knowing and the memory-knowledge of the church; ”in the whole land of Egypt,“ signifies on all sides in the natural.

AC 7672. And Jehovah said unto Moses.  That this signifies instruction, is evident from the signification of ”saying,“ when done by Jehovah to Moses, by whom is represented truth Divine, as being instruction (n. 6879, 6881, 6883, 6891, 7186, 7267, 7304, 7380).

AC 7673. Stretch out thy hand.  That this signifies the rule of power, is evident from the signification of ”stretching out,“ as being predicated of rule; and from the signification of ”hand,“ as being power (n. 878, 3387, 4931-4937, 5327, 5328, 5544, 6292, 6947, 7011, 7188, 7189, 7518). That ”to stretch out the hand“ denotes the rule of power, is because the hand or arm has power when it is stretched out; and therefore when it is said of Jehovah that ”He stretches out the hand“ or ”arm,“ there is signified power unlimited or infinite in act. This is the reason why Jehovah so often said to Moses when miracles were to be done, that he should ”stretch out his hand“ or ”rod,“ as in the following passages:--

Stretch out thy hand over the waters of Egypt, and they shall be blood (Exod. 7:19).

Stretch out thy hand over the streams, and cause frogs to come up (Exod. 8:5).

Stretch out thy rod and smite the dust of the land, and it shall be lice (Exod. 8:16).

Stretch out thy hand toward heaven, and there shall be hail (Exod. 9:22).

It would never have been so said unless by the stretching out of the hand, in the supreme sense, there was signified the omnipotence of Jehovah.

[2] So with what was said to Joshua, that he should ”stretch out his spear,“ as we read in that book:--

Jehovah said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand against Ai; and when Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand against Ai, those in ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he stretched out his hand, and came unto the city, and took it; Joshua drew not back his hand which he stretched out with the spear until he had given all the inhabitants of Ai to the curse (Josh. 8:18, 19, 26);

as this was a representative of Divine omnipotence, it therefore had force, as had all representatives at that time, when commanded.

[3] In many passages also omnipotence is described by ”Jehovah stretching out His hand,“ as also by ”His outstretched hand,“ and by ”His outstretched arm“--by ”Jehovah stretching out the hand,“ in the following passages:--

The anger of Jehovah is kindled against His people, and He hath stretched out His hand over them, and hath smitten them, and the mountains quaked (Isa. 5:25).

I will stretch out My hand against him, and will destroy him (Ezek. 14:9, 13).

I will stretch out My hand against thee, and will give thee for a spoil to the nations (Ezek. 25:7).

I will stretch out My hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it, I will stretch out My hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off (Ezek. 25:13, 16; Ezek. 35:3; Isa. 31:3; Zeph. 1:4; 2:13).

Omnipotence is described by ”an outstretched hand“ in the following passages:--

The hand of Jehovah is stretched out upon all nations, and who shall press it back? (Isa. 14:27, 28).

I will fight with you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury (Jer. 21:5).

His hand is stretched out still (Isa. 9:12, 17; 10:4).

Also by ”an outstretched arm“ in these passages:--

I have made the earth, the man, and the beast, by My great power, and by My stretched out arm (Jer. 27:5).

Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power, and by Thy stretched out arm, no word is impossible before Thee (Jer. 32:17).

That in these passages by ”an outstretched arm“ is signified omnipotence, is manifest; and so in many other passages, where it is said ”by a strong hand and a stretched out arm“ (Deut. 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 9:29; 11:2; 26:8; 1 Kings 8:42; 2 Kings 17:36; Jer. 32:21; Ezek. 20:33, 34).

[4] It is also said of Jehovah that ”He stretches out the heaven,“ and here also by ”stretching out“ is signified omnipotence; that is, that He enlarges the boundaries of heaven, and fills its inhabitants with life and wisdom, as in the following passages:--

Jehovah who stretcheth out the heavens as a tenuity, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in (Isa. 40:22).

Jehovah that stretcheth out the heavens that spreadeth out the earth, that giveth soul to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein (Isa. 42:5).

Who maketh the earth by His power, He prepareth the world by His wisdom, and by His understanding He stretcheth out the heavens (Jer. 51:15).

Jehovah stretching out the heavens, and laying the foundation of the earth, and forming the spirit of man in the midst of him (Zech. 12:1).

Besides elsewhere, as in (Isa. 44:24; 45:12; Ps. 104:2. From all this it can now be seen why Moses was commanded to stretch out his hand and rod, and that then miracles were done; and that thus by ”stretching out the hand“ is signified the rule of power, and in the supreme sense omnipotence.

AC 7674.  Over the land of Egypt for the locust.  That this signifies that falsity may take possession of all the natural of the infesters, is evident from the signification of ”the land of Egypt,“ as being the natural mind (n. 5276, 5278, 5280, 5288, 5301); that ”Egypt“ denotes the natural, (n. 6147, 6252); and from the signification of ”the locust,“ as being falsity in the extremes with those who infest (n. 7643).

AC 7675. And it shall come up upon all the land of Egypt. That this signifies a pouring out into all things therein, is evident from the signification of ”to come up,“ as being to be poured out, for the ”locust“ signifies falsity in the extremes, and it is said to ”come up“ from the extremes toward the interiors, because interior things are the same as higher ones (that the interiors are taken possession of by falsity when the exteriors are, (n. 7645); and from the signification of ”the land of Egypt,“ as being the natural mind (n. 7674).

AC 7676. And it shall devour all the herb of the land. That this signifies the total consumption of all truth, is evident from the signification of ”devouring,“ as being to consume; and from the signification of ”the herb of the land,“ as being the truth of the church (n. 7571).

AC 7677. Even all that the hail hath left.  That this signifies which the former falsity has not consumed, is evident from the signification of ”left,“ as being which it had not consumed; and from the signification of ”the hail,“ as being falsity from evil in the exterior natural (n. 7553, 7574).

AC 7678. And Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt.  That this signifies the rule of the power of truth Divine over the whole natural of the infesters, is evident from the signification of ”stretching out the rod,“ as being the rule of power (n. 7673); from the representation of Moses, as being truth Divine (n. 6752, 7004, 7010, 7382); and from the signification of ”the land of Egypt,“ as being the natural of the infesters (n. 7674).  The Divine power which is described by ”the hand of Moses“ is the power of truth Divine. All power is of truth, (n. 3091, 5623, 6344, 6423, 6948); nay, such power has the Divine truth which proceed from the Divine good, through it have been created all things in the universe. ”The Word“ signifies this truth in John:--

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word, all things were made by Him (John 1:1, 3);

and from this it is that miracles were done by Moses, for Moses represents Divine truth.  It is believed by most people that the Word, or Divine truth, is only speech from Jehovah, and a command that it be so done, and nothing further; but it is the very Essential, from which and by which are all things.  That being (Esse) which proceeds from Him, and consequently the coming-forth (existere) of all things, is what is meant by ”Divine truth.“ This can be illustrated from the angels; from whom there proceeds a sphere of charity and faith that is sensibly perceived, and that also produces wonderful effects; from which some idea can be formed of the Divine truth that proceeds from the Divine good of the Lord.

AC 7679. And Jehovah brought an east wind upon the land. That this signifies the means of destruction, is evident from the signification of ”an east wind,“ as being a means of destruction.  That an ”east wind“ has this signification is because it was dry and tempestuous, and consequently dried up the productions of that land, and by its force broke in pieces trees, and ships on the sea; from this, by it as a means is described the effect of Divine power. Moreover by the ”east“ is signified the good of love and of charity, because in the supreme sense the Lord is signified (n. 101, 1250, 3708). And in its origin, being Divine, the good of love and of charity is most gentle, consequently it is so in its advance into heaven; but when it sinks down to the hells, it becomes harsh and severe, because it is turned into this by those who are there.  Therefore the influx and presence of this Divine good there not only torments, but also devastates them.  From all this also it is that by a ”wind from the east,“ or an ”east wind“ is signified a means of destruction.

[2] That by this ”wind“ is signified a means of destruction, is plain from the passages in the Word where it is mentioned, as in the following:--

Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy (Jer. 18:17).

The vine that is planted shall not prosper: shall it not utterly wither when the east wind toucheth it? (Ezek. 17:10).

That vine was plucked up in anger, she was cast down to the earth, and the east wind dried up her fruit (Ezek. 19:12).

He is fierce among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of Jehovah, coming up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up (Hos. 13:15).

With the east wind thou wilt break the ships of Tarshish (Ps. 48:7).

They that despise   thee have brought thee into many waters, the east wind hath broken thee in the heart of the seas (Ezek. 27:26).

From these passages it is evident that an ”east wind“ signifies a means of destruction, because it was dry and tempestuous; whence also it signifies a means of devastation, as in Hosea:--

Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind; every day he multiplieth a lie and vastation (Hosea 12:1);

where ”Ephraim“ denotes the intellectual of the church (n. 5354, 6222, 6238); ”to feed on wind“ is ”to multiply a lie;“ ”and to pursue the east wind“ is ”to multiply vastation.“ A state of vastation and temptation is also called ”the day of the east wind“ in (Isa. 27:7, 8).

AC 7680. All that day, and all the night.  That this signifies in everything of the perception both obscure and not obscure with the infesters, namely, there was destruction, is evident from the signification of ”day,“ as being a state of perception not obscure; and from the signification of ”night,“ as being a state of obscure perception; for the times of the day, morning, noon, evening, and night, correspond to the states of enlightenment that belong to intelligence and wisdom (n. 5672, 6110), thus to perceptions; and so in general do day and night.  It is here said ”perceptions,“ not ”states of enlightenment,“ because the evil who infest have no enlightenment, and yet have perception; but they have perception only so long as any knowledge of truth and good from the church in which they have lived remains with them, for by means of truth and good they communicate with those who are in heaven.  But when they have been deprived of these knowledges, which is done when they have been devastated, they then no longer have any perception.  The infernals can indeed confirm their evils, and also their falsities, but this is not perception.  Perception is to see that truth is truth, and good good; and also that evil is evil, and falsity falsity; but it is not perception to see truth as falsity and good as evil; or the reverse, evil as good and falsity as truth.  They who do this, instead of perception, have phantasy, which produces an appearance of perception, whereby such know how to confirm falsities and evils by such things as are obvious to the senses and are in favor of concupiscences.

AC 7681. And when it was morning.  That this signifies a state of heaven in order, is evident from the signification of ”morning,“ as being the Lord‘s kingdom, and, in the supreme sense, the Lord Himself (n. 22, 2333, 2405, 2540, 2780); and as being a state of enlightenment (n. 3458, 3723, 5740, 5962); but here by ”morning“ is signified heaven in order.  How the case herein is, can be seen from what was said above (n. 7643), namely, that the evil are devastated as the Lord sets heaven in order; for the influx of good and truth from heaven causes devastation with the evil; and therefore when the Lord sets the heavens in order, then the hells, which are in the opposite, are set in order of themselves, and are removed from heaven according to the degrees of evil, and are allotted places according to the quality of their evil.  From this it can be seen that from the Lord proceeds nothing but good, and that evil is from those who are against good, and who finally cannot endure it.  From all this it is evident that by ”morning“ is here signified a state of heaven in order.

AC 7682. The east wind bought the locust.  That this signifies dense falsity with the infesters through the means of destruction, is evident from the signification of ”the east wind,“ as being a means of destruction (n. 7679); and from the signification of ”the locust,“ as being falsity in the extremes (n. 7643), here dense falsity, because the whole natural was taken possession of by it (n. 7645).

AC 7683. And the locust went up over all the land of Egypt.  That this signifies the pouring out of falsity into all things of the natural, is evident from what was said above (n. 7674, 7675), where are like words.

AC 7684. And rested in all the border of Egypt.  That this signifies from the extremes there, is evident from the signification of ”the border,“ as being that which is extreme or outermost, and therefore by ”resting in all the border“ is signified that falsity extended from the extremes into all things of the natural, and then terminated in the extremes, according to what was shown above (n. 7645).

AC 7685. Very grievous.  That this signifies that it pervaded all things and each, is evident from what was unfolded above (n. 7684).

AC 7686. Before it there was no such locust as this, and after it there shall not be such.  That this signifies that such falsity has not been from the first time of the church, and shall not be, is evident from the signification of the ”locust,“ as being falsity in the extremes (n. 7643); such falsity has not been, nor shall be, (n. 7649). How the case herein is, shall be told.  In the internal sense those are specifically treated of who before the Lord’s coming were in the lower earth, and could not be uplifted into heaven before the Lord came into the world, and assumed the Human, and made it Divine (n. 6854, 6914).  Meanwhile they were infested by the evil, who also had been of the church, and had confessed the truths of faith, but had lived a life of evil.  They who before the Lord‘s coming had been of the church and had been evil as to life, were in such falsity as had not been before, and shall not be afterward.  The reason was that they who were called ”Nephilim,“ also ”Anakim“ and ”Rephaim,“ and were of the last posterity of the Most Ancient Church, were not yet shut up in hell, but wandered about and infused dire and deadly persuasions wherever they could, thus also into the evil in the church. This was the source of such falsity. With respect to these ”Nephilim,“ and their direful persuasions, see (n. 310, 560, 562, 563, 570, 581, 585, 607, 660, 805, 808, 1034, 1120, 1265-1272, 1673). When the Lord was in the world, these were cast by Him into their hell, which is on the left in front at some distance.  Unless this had been done, very few could have been saved, for the falsity which they infused had a direful persuasive power, and was deadly, such as never had been, and such as never can again be.  With this falsity those had been imbued who before the Lord’s coming infested those who were of the spiritual church.  This is what is meant in the internal sense by the above words.  These are they who are specifically treated of; but in general all are meant who are of the church and who infest the upright in the other life, of whom there are very many at this day.

AC 7687. And it covered the surface of the whole land. That this signifies that it took possession of the ultimates of the natural mind, is evident from the signification of ”the surface,“ as being the ultimate, for it is the most external, or the extreme of the land; and from the signification of ”the land,“ here the land of Egypt, as being the natural mind (n. 7674).

AC 7688. And the land was darkened.  That this signifies that falsity was brought in where truth was, is evident from the signification of ”darkness,“ as being falsities (n. 1839, 1860, 4418, 4531); thus ”to be darkened“ is to be in falsity; and as the devastation of those who have been of the church and have known truths, but have lived a life of evil, is here treated of, therefore by ”the land was darkened“ is signified falsity where truth was.  Truth in the internal sense is signified by ”light,“ and therefore falsity is signified by ”darkness;“ for truth and falsity are opposites, like light and darkness; and they who are in truth actually have light, and they who are in falsity actually have darkness.  The light in which they are who are in falsity in the other life, becomes thick darkness at the presence of the light of heaven, and thicker darkness with those who have been of the church, because they had been in falsity against the truth of faith, according to the Lord‘s words:--

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness! (Matt. 6:23).

The sons of the kingdom shall be cast forth into the outer darkness (Matt. 8:12);

”the sons of the kingdom“ denote those who are of the church; ”the outer darkness“ denotes more grievous falsities; it is called ”outer“ because falsities in the outermosts or extremes are more grievous.

[2] That falsities are called ”darkness,“ is evident from many passages in the Word, as in the following:--

The light is come into the world, but men have loved the darkness more than the light; for their works were evil (John 3:19).

Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness take hold of you; I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in Me may not abide in the darkness (John 12:35, 46);

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness (Isa. 5:20).

Give glory to Jehovah your God before He bring darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the mountains of twilight, then ye shall await light, but He will put it into the shadow of death, He will put it into thick darkness (Jer. 13:16).

When I shall extinguish thee I will cover the heavens, and I will blacken the stars thereof; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not make her light to shine; all the luminaries of light of heaven will I make black over thee, and will set darkness upon thy land (Ezek. 32:7, 8).

The day of Jehovah cometh, it is near, a day of darkness, and of thick darkness, a day of cloud and of obscurity (Joel 2:1, 2; Amos 5:18-20).

This day is a day of wrath, a day of wasting and devastation, a day of darkness and thick darkness (Zeph. 1:15).

In these passages ”darkness“ signifies falsities.  In the Word ”darkness“ also signifies ignorance of truth, such as the Gentiles are in who have not the Word and know nothing of the Lord.

AC 7689. And it devoured all the herb of the land.  That this signifies that it consumed all the memory-knowledge of truth, is evident from the signification of ”devouring,“ as being to consume; and from the signification of ”the herb of the land,“ as being the memory-knowledge of truth; for by ”the herb of the field“ is signified the truth of the church (n. 7571), because ”field“ denotes the church; but by ”the herb of the land“ is signified the memory-knowledge of truth, because ”the land“ here denotes the natural mind; and the truth of the natural mind is memory-knowledge; and moreover the evil have no truth by faith, but only the memory-knowledge of the truth which is of faith.  Some evil men who are in the church persuade themselves that they are in truth by faith, but they are not; they are in falsity, and are against the truth of faith. That they are in falsity is hidden with them so long as they are in the world, but this hidden falsity comes forth and manifests itself in the other life when they are being devastated as to the truths of faith which they had known.

AC 7690. And all the fruit of the tree which the hail had left.  That this signifies all the knowing of good, is evident from the signification of ”fruit,“ as being the works of faith or of charity, thus goods, whence ”to be fruitful“ is predicated of good (n. 43, 55, 913, 983, 2846, 2847); and from the signification of ”tree,“ as being perceptions, also knowledges (n. 103, 2163, 2722, 2972).  The reason why ”fruits“ denote the works of charity, thus goods, is that the first of a tree is the fruit in which is the seed, and its last is the fruit in which is the seed, and its intermediates are the branches or leaves.  So it is with the good of love and the truth of faith; the good of love is first when man is being regenerated or is being planted, and is also the last; the intermediates are the truths of faith, which are from the good of love as their seed, and continually look to the good of love as their last, just as the intermediates of a tree look to their fruit in which is the seed. ”Fruits“ signify goods, (Matt. 3:8, 10, 7:16-20; 12:33; 21:43; Luke 3:8, 9; 6:43-49; 13:6-10; John 15:2-8, 16; Isa. 37:31; Jer. 17:8; 32:19; Rev. 22:2).

AC 7691. And there was not left any green thing.  That this signifies that all sensitivity of truth was obliterated, is evident from the signification of ”not to be left,“ as being to be obliterated; and from the signification of ”what is green,“ as being what is of memory-knowledge and the sensuous, here what is sensitive of truth, because by the ”fruit of a tree“ is signified the knowing of good (n. 7690), and because it is said ”any green thing in the tree and in the herb of the field.“ That ”green“ denotes that which is sensitive of truth, is because by ”herb,“ ”grass,“ and ”the leaf of a tree“ are signified truths; hence their ”greenness“ signifies that which is sensitive of truth.  By this sensitivity is signified the ultimate of perception.  The sensitivity of truth is also signified by ”what is green“ in Isaiah:--

The waters of Nimrim shall be desolations, because the grass is dried up, the herb is consumed, there is nothing green (Isa. 15:6).

And in John:--

The fifth angel sounded, and the locusts went forth; and it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing (Rev. 9:4).

AC 7692. In the tree and in the herb of the field.  That this signifies from the knowing and the memory-knowledge of the church, is evident from the signification of ”tree,“ as being the knowing of truth (n. 7690), and from the signification of ”the herb of the field,“ as being the memory-knowledge of truth (n. 7689).

AC 7693. In the whole land of Egypt.  That this signifies on all sides in the natural, is evident from the signification of ”the land of Egypt,“ as being the natural mind, thus the natural (n. 7674). As by the ”locust,“ which is the subject here treated of, is signified falsity in the extremes, that is, in the sensuous of man, it must here be told what the sensuous is, so that it may be known what falsity in the extremes is.  The sensuous man, or he who thinks and acts from the sensuous, is he who believes nothing except what is obvious to the outward senses, and who is led solely by the bodily appetites, by pleasures, and by concupiscences, and not by reasons, believing those to be reasons which favor such things.  Such being the sensuous man, he therefore rejects everything internal, until at last he is not willing even to hear it mentioned; consequently at heart he denies whatever is of heaven: the life after death he certainly does not believe in, because he makes life to consist solely in the body, and therefore he supposes that he himself will die like a beast.  He thinks as it were in the surface, that is, in the ultimates or in the extremes, and is quite ignorant of the existence of an interior thought according to the perception of truth and good.  The reason why he does not know this, nor even that there is an internal man, is because his interiors look downward to the things of the world, of the body, and of the earth, with which they make a one; consequently they have been removed from looking upward, or to heaven, because they look in the opposite direction.  To look upward, or to heaven, is not to think about the thing that belong to heaven, but it is to have these things as the end, that is, to love them more than all other things; for a man’s interiors turn to where his love turns, and consequently so does his thought.  From all this it can be seen what is the nature of man‘s sensuous, that is, of his natural in the extremes; for that man is called sensuous who thinks from what is sensuous.

AC 7694. Verses 16-20. And Pharaoh hastened to call Moses and Aaron; and he said, I have sinned to Jehovah your God, and to you.  And now forgive I pray my sin only this once, and supplicate ye to Jehovah your God that He may remove from before me this death only.  And he went out from before Pharaoh, and supplicated unto Jehovah.  And Jehovah turned an exceeding strong sea wind, and took up the locust, and cast it into the sea Suph; there was not left one locust in all the border of Egypt. And Jehovah made firm Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let go the sons of Israel.  ”And Pharaoh hastened to call Moses and Aaron,“ signifies fear then of truth from the Divine; ”and he said, I have sinned to Jehovah your God, and to you,“ signifies confession that they have not obeyed the Divine and the truth; ”and now forgive I pray my sin only this once,“ signifies that their disobedience should not be regarded; ”and supplicate ye to Jehovah your God,“ signifies intercession; ”that He may remove from upon me this death only,“ signifies that this falsity may not torment; ”and he went out from before Pharaoh,“ signifies separation; ”and made supplication unto Jehovah,“ signifies intercession; ”and Jehovah turned an exceeding strong sea wind,“ signifies the cessation of Divine influx through heaven; ”and took up the locust,“ signifies the end of this state; ”and cast it into the sea Suph,“ signifies into hell; ”there was not left one locust in all the border of Egypt,“ signifies that these falsities in the extremes appeared no more; ”and Jehovah made firm Pharaoh‘s heart,“ signifies that the infesters were determined; ”and he did not let go the sons of Israel,“ signifies that they did not leave those of the spiritual church.

AC 7695. And Pharaoh hastened to call Moses and Aaron. That this signifies fear then of truth from the Divine, is evident from the signification of ”hastening,“ as being from fear, for all haste arises from some affection that is excited, here from the affection of fear, as is plain from the words of Pharaoh, ”I have sinned to Jehovah your God, and to you, supplicate ye that He may take away from me this death only;“ from the representation of Pharaoh, as being those who infest, of which frequently above; and from the representation of Moses and Aaron, as being truth from the Divine, Moses the internal, and Aaron the external (n. 7089, 7382).

AC 7696. And he said, I have sinned to Jehovah your God, and to you.  That this signifies confession that they have not obeyed the Divine and the truth, is evident from the signification of ”sinning,“ as being to do contrary to Divine order (n. 5076), and to avert and separate one’s self from it, thus from good and truth (n. 5229, 5474, 5841, 7589), consequently it also denotes not to obey the Divine and the truth, for he who does not obey averts himself.  The Divine is what is meant by ”Jehovah your God,“ and the truth by ”Moses and Aaron“ (n. 7695).

AC 7697