1165. In the Word 'Mizraim' or Egypt means knowledge, that is, various facts, by which people wish to probe into the arcana of faith and so confirm the false assumptions acquired in that way. 'Mizraim' also means simply knowledge, and so knowledge that is useful. This is clear not only from the places just quoted but also from very many others which would fill up page after page if they were all included. See Isaiah 19:1-end; Isaiah 30:1-3; 31:1-3; Jeremiah 2:18, 36; Jeremiah 42:14-end; Jeremiah 46:1-end; Ezekiel 16:26; 23:3; Ezekiel 29:1-end; Ezekiel 30:1-end; Hosea 7:11; 9:3, 6; 11:1, 5, 11; Micah 7:12 [NCBS: 7:15]; Zechariah 10:10-11; Psalms 80:8 and following verses.

4789. 'To Potiphar, Pharaoh's bedchamber-servant' means facts of a more internal kind. This is clear from the meaning of 'a bedchamber-servant' as things that are more internal, dealt with below, and from the representation of 'Pharaoh' as facts - for 'Egypt' means knowledge in general, as shown in 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, and so likewise does 'Pharaoh' because in the Word what is meant by a land or nation is also meant by its king since he is head of the nation. The reason facts of a more internal kind are meant by 'Pharaoh's bedchamber-servant' is that bedchamber-servants belonged among a king's more intimate assistants; for they were his more intimate courtiers and higher-ranking officials, as is also evident from the meaning of the word used in the original language.