5003. And it came to pass on a certain day. That this signifies a fifth state, is evident from the signification of “it came to pass,” or “it was,” as involving what is new (as was shown above, n. 4979, 4987, 4999), thus a new state, here a fifth.

4987. And it came to pass after these words. That this signifies a third state, is evident from the signification of “it came to pass,” or “it was,” as involving something new (see n. 4979), here consequently a third state; and from the signification of “after these words,” as being after these things were transacted. In the original language one series is not distinguished from another by intervening marks, as in other languages; but the text appears to be as it were continuous from beginning to end. The things in the internal sense are also in like manner continuous and flowing from one state of a thing into another; but when one state terminates, and another of importance succeeds, this is indicated by “it was” or “it came to pass;” and a change of state less important by “and.” This is the reason why these expressions so frequently occur. This state, which is the third, and which is now treated of, is more interior than the former.