8187. And they shall come after them. That this signifies an endeavor to offer violence by means of the influx of falsity from evil, is evident from the signification of “coming after them,” as being the influx of falsity from evil, and also an endeavor to subjugate, thus to offer violence; for by “drawing nigh” is signified influx (n. 8159); by “marching after them,” a closer influx and communication (n. 8161); and by “pursuing after them,” an endeavor to subjugate (n. 8136, 8152, 8154); consequently by “coming after them” is signified an endeavor to offer violence by means of the influx of falsity from evil.

8132. And Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel. That this signifies the thought of those who are in damnation concerning the state of those who are of the spiritual church, is evident from the signification of “saying,” as being thought (see n. 7094, 7107, 7244, 7937); from the representation of Pharaoh, as being those who infest by means of falsities (n. 7107, 7110, 7126, 7142, 7220, 7228, 7317), here those who are in damnation, that is, in mere falsities from evil, for they who are merely in these, are in damnation (this state is signified by Pharaoh and the Egyptians after the firstborn were slain in Egypt, for by the slaying of the firstborn is signified damnation, n. 7766, 7778); and from the representation of the sons of Israel, as being those who are of the spiritual church (as just above, n. 8128).