8287. 'The floods stood as a heap' means that those constantly attempting what was evil could not engage in any molestation whatever. This is clear from the meaning of 'standing as a heap', when it refers to falsities arising from evil, as constantly attempting what is evil, for when floods stand as a heap they are overhanging and endeavouring to rush down, but are held back by a stronger force; and from the meaning of 'the floods', like 'the waters', as falsities arising from evil, 7307, 8137, 8138. But they are called 'the floods' on account of their attempt to flow in, that is, to molest.