7674. 'Over the land of Egypt for the locusts' means in order that falsity may take possession of the whole natural of the molesting ones. This is clear from the meaning of 'the land of Egypt' as the natural mind, dealt with in 5276, 5278, 5280, 5288, 5301, 'Egypt' being the natural, 6147, 6152; and from the meaning of 'the locusts' as falsity present with those engaged in molestation, in the outermost parts of their mind, dealt with in 7643.

7011. 'And you are to take this rod in your hand' means Divine power in these [two kinds of truth]. This is clear from the meaning of 'rod' as power, dealt with in 4013, 4015, 4876, 4936, especially when it is held in the hand since 'hand' means spiritual power and 'rod' natural power.

There is no power at all in the natural unless it receives it from the spiritual, just as a rod has none unless it is held in the hand; and that is why it says that he was 'to take it in his hand'. Used in reference to the Lord 'hand' means the power going forth from His Divine Rational, and 'rod' the power going forth from His Divine Natural, see 6947. Divine power is said to be in these - the kinds of truth dealt with above - because power has reference to truth, 3091, 6344, 6427, 6948.