6083. The land of Egypt, before thee is it. That this signifies that the memory-knowledges of the natural mind are under the auspices of the internal celestial, is evident from the signification of the “land of Egypt,” as being the natural mind where memory-knowledges are (see n. 5276, 5278, 5280, 5288, 5301); and from the signification of “before thee,” as being under the auspices of the internal celestial, which is “Joseph” (n. 5869, 5877).

5276. Of great abundance of produce in all the land of Egypt. That this signifies the multiplication of truth in both naturals, is evident from the signification of “abundance of produce,” as being the multiplication of truth (of which presently); and from the signification of the “land of Egypt,” as being both naturals. For by “Egypt” is signified memory-knowledge (see n. 1164-1165, 1186, 1462, 4749, 4964, 4966); and as memory-knowledge is signified, so too is the natural, for the reason that what is in the natural is called memory-knowledge; and therefore the “land of Egypt” is the natural mind in which is memory-knowledge. Hence by “all the land of Egypt” is signified both the interior and the exterior natural (that the natural is both interior and exterior may be seen above, n. 5118, 5126). That “abundance of produce” signifies a multiplication of truth, is because it is contrasted with famine, which signifies a lack of truth. The term by which “abundance of produce” is expressed in the original tongue is one that expresses the opposite of famine, and in the internal sense signifies a full store and sufficiency of knowledges, because “famine” signifies a lack of them. Knowledges are nothing else than the truths of the natural man, but which have not yet been made his own; the multiplication of such truths is here meant. Knowledges do not become truths in man until they are acknowledged by the understanding, which takes place when they are confirmed by him; and these truths do not become his own until he lives according to them; for nothing is made man’s own except that which becomes of his life, for thus he himself is in the truths, because his life is in them.