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Exodus 8

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1 εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S δέ-X κύριος-N2--NSM πρός-P *μωυσῆς-N1M-ASM εἶπον-VB--AAD2S *ααρων-N---DSM ὁ- A--DSM ἀδελφός-N2--DSM σύ- P--GS ἐκτείνω-VA--AAD2S ὁ- A--DSF χείρ-N3--DSF ὁ- A--ASF ῥάβδος-N2--ASF σύ- P--GS ἐπί-P ὁ- A--APM ποταμός-N2--APM καί-C ἐπί-P ὁ- A--APF διῶρυξ-N3G-APF καί-C ἐπί-P ὁ- A--APN ἕλος-N3E-APN καί-C ἀναἄγω-VB--AAD2S ὁ- A--APM βάτραχος-N2--APM

2 καί-C ἐκτείνω-VAI-AAI3S *ααρων-N---NSM ὁ- A--ASF χείρ-N3--ASF ἐπί-P ὁ- A--APN ὕδωρ-N3T-APN *αἴγυπτος-N2--GSF καί-C ἀναἄγω-VBI-AAI3S ὁ- A--APM βάτραχος-N2--APM καί-C ἀναβιβάζω-VCI-API3S ὁ- A--NSM βάτραχος-N2--NSM καί-C καλύπτω-VAI-AAI3S ὁ- A--ASF γῆ-N1--ASF *αἴγυπτος-N2--GSF

3 ποιέω-VAI-AAI3P δέ-X ὡσαύτως-D καί-C ὁ- A--NPM ἐπαοιδός-N2--NPM ὁ- A--GPM *αἰγύπτιος-N2--GPM ὁ- A--DPF φαρμακία-N1A-DPF αὐτός- D--GPM καί-C ἀναἄγω-VBI-AAI3P ὁ- A--APM βάτραχος-N2--APM ἐπί-P γῆ-N1--ASF *αἴγυπτος-N2--GSF

4 καί-C καλέω-VAI-AAI3S *φαραώ-N---NSM *μωυσῆς-N1M-ASM καί-C *ααρων-N---ASM καί-C εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S εὔχομαι-VA--AMD2P περί-P ἐγώ- P--GS πρός-P κύριος-N2--ASM καί-C περιαἱρέω-VB--AAD3S ὁ- A--APM βάτραχος-N2--APM ἀπό-P ἐγώ- P--GS καί-C ἀπό-P ὁ- A--GSM ἐγώ- P--GS λαός-N2--GSM καί-C ἐκ ἀποστέλλω-VF2-FAI1S ὁ- A--ASM λαός-N2--ASM καί-C θύω-VA--AAS3P κύριος-N2--DSM

5 εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S δέ-X *μωυσῆς-N1M-NSM πρός-P *φαραώ-N---GSM τάσσω-VA--AMD2S πρός-P ἐγώ- P--AS πότε-D εὔχομαι-VA--AMS1S περί-P σύ- P--GS καί-C περί-P ὁ- A--GPM θεράπων-N3--GPM σύ- P--GS καί-C περί-P ὁ- A--GSM λαός-N2--GSM σύ- P--GS ἀπο ἀναἵζω-VA--AAN ὁ- A--APM βάτραχος-N2--APM ἀπό-P σύ- P--GS καί-C ἀπό-P ὁ- A--GSM λαός-N2--GSM σύ- P--GS καί-C ἐκ-P ὁ- A--GPF οἰκία-N1A-GPF σύ- P--GP πλήν-D ἐν-P ὁ- A--DSM ποταμός-N2--DSM ὑπολείπω-VV--FPI3P

6 ὁ- A--NSM δέ-X εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S εἰς-P αὔριον-D εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S οὖν-X ὡς-D εἶπον-VX--XAI2S ἵνα-C οἶδα-VX--XAS2S ὅτι-C οὐ-D εἰμί-V9--PAI3S ἄλλος- D--NSM πλήν-D κύριος-N2--GSM

7 καί-C περιαἱρέω-VC--FPI3P ὁ- A--NPM βάτραχος-N2--NPM ἀπό-P σύ- P--GS καί-C ἐκ-P ὁ- A--GPF οἰκία-N1A-GPF σύ- P--GP καί-C ἐκ-P ὁ- A--GPF ἔπαυλις-N3I-GPF καί-C ἀπό-P ὁ- A--GPM θεράπων-N3--GPM σύ- P--GS καί-C ἀπό-P ὁ- A--GSM λαός-N2--GSM σύ- P--GS πλήν-D ἐν-P ὁ- A--DSM ποταμός-N2--DSM ὑπολείπω-VV--FPI3P

8 ἐκἔρχομαι-VBI-AAI3S δέ-X *μωυσῆς-N1M-NSM καί-C *ααρων-N---NSM ἀπό-P *φαραώ-N---GSM καί-C βοάω-VAI-AAI3S *μωυσῆς-N1M-NSM πρός-P κύριος-N2--ASM περί-P ὁ- A--GSM ὁρισμός-N2--GSM ὁ- A--GPM βάτραχος-N2--GPM ὡς-C τάσσω-VAI-AMI3S *φαραώ-N---NSM

9 ποιέω-VAI-AAI3S δέ-X κύριος-N2--NSM καθάπερ-D εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S *μωυσῆς-N1M-NSM καί-C τελευτάω-VAI-AAI3P ὁ- A--NPM βάτραχος-N2--NPM ἐκ-P ὁ- A--GPF οἰκία-N1A-GPF καί-C ἐκ-P ὁ- A--GPF ἔπαυλις-N3I-GPF καί-C ἐκ-P ὁ- A--GPM ἀγρός-N2--GPM

10 καί-C συνἄγω-VBI-AAI3P αὐτός- D--APM θιμωνιά-N1A-APF θιμωνιά-N1A-APF καί-C ὄζω-VAI-AAI3S ὁ- A--NSF γῆ-N1--NSF

11 ὁράω-VB--AAPNSM δέ-X *φαραώ-N---NSM ὅτι-C γίγνομαι-VX--XAI3S ἀνάψυξις-N3I-NSF βαρύνω-VCI-API3S ὁ- A--NSF καρδία-N1A-NSF αὐτός- D--GSM καί-C οὐ-D εἰςἀκούω-VAI-AAI3S αὐτός- D--GPM καθάπερ-D λαλέω-VAI-AAI3S κύριος-N2--NSM

12 εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S δέ-X κύριος-N2--NSM πρός-P *μωυσῆς-N1M-ASM εἶπον-VA--AAD2S *ααρων-N---DSM ἐκτείνω-VA--AAD2S ὁ- A--DSF χείρ-N3--DSF ὁ- A--ASF ῥάβδος-N2--ASF σύ- P--GS καί-C πατάσσω-VB--AAD2S ὁ- A--ASN χῶμα-N3--ASN ὁ- A--GSF γῆ-N1--GSF καί-C εἰμί-VF--FMI3P σκνίψ-N3--NPM ἐν-P τε-X ὁ- A--DPM ἄνθρωπος-N2--DPM καί-C ἐν-P ὁ- A--DPM τετράπους-A3--DPN καί-C ἐν-P πᾶς-A1S-DSF γῆ-N1--DSF *αἴγυπτος-N2--GSF

13 ἐκτείνω-VAI-AAI3S οὖν-X *ααρων-N---NSM ὁ- A--DSF χείρ-N3--DSF ὁ- A--ASF ῥάβδος-N2--ASF καί-C πατάσσω-VAI-AAI3S ὁ- A--ASN χῶμα-N3--ASN ὁ- A--GSF γῆ-N1--GSF καί-C γίγνομαι-VBI-AMI3P ὁ- A--NPM σκνίψ-N3--NPM ἐν-P τε-X ὁ- A--DPM ἄνθρωπος-N2--DPM καί-C ἐν-P ὁ- A--DPN τετράπους-A3--DPN καί-C ἐν-P πᾶς-A3--DSN χῶμα-N3--DSN ὁ- A--GSF γῆ-N1--GSF γίγνομαι-VBI-AMI3P ὁ- A--NPM σκνίψ-N3--NPM ἐν-P πᾶς-A1S-DSF γῆ-N1--DSF *αἴγυπτος-N2--GSF

14 ποιέω-VAI-AAI3P δέ-X ὡσαύτως-D καί-C ὁ- A--NPM ἐπαοιδός-N2--NPM ὁ- A--DPF φαρμακία-N1A-DPF αὐτός- D--GPM ἐκἄγω-VB--AAN ὁ- A--ASM σκνίψ-N3--ASM καί-C οὐ-D δύναμαι-V6I-IMI3P καί-C γίγνομαι-VBI-AMI3P ὁ- A--NPM σκνίψ-N3--NPM ἐν-P ὁ- A--DPM ἄνθρωπος-N2--DPM καί-C ἐν-P ὁ- A--DPN τετράπους-A3--DPN

15 εἶπον-VAI-AAI3P οὖν-X ὁ- A--NPM ἐπαοιδός-N2--NPM ὁ- A--DSM *φαραώ-N---DSM δάκτυλος-N2--NSM θεός-N2--GSM εἰμί-V9--PAI3S οὗτος- D--NSN καί-C σκληρύνω-VCI-API3S ὁ- A--NSF καρδία-N1A-NSF *φαραώ-N---NSM καί-C οὐ-D εἰςἀκούω-VAI-AAI3S αὐτός- D--GPM καθάπερ-D λαλέω-VAI-AAI3S κύριος-N2--NSM

16 εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S δέ-X κύριος-N2--NSM πρός-P *μωυσῆς-N1M-ASM ὀρθρίζω-VA--AAD2S ὁ- A--ASN πρωΐ-D καί-C ἵστημι-VH--AAD2S ἐναντίον-P *φαραώ-N---GSM καί-C ἰδού-I αὐτός- D--NSM ἐκἔρχομαι-VF--FMI3S ἐπί-P ὁ- A--ASN ὕδωρ-N3--ASN καί-C εἶπον-VF2-FAI2S πρός-P αὐτός- D--ASM ὅδε- D--APN λέγω-V1--PAI3S κύριος-N2--NSM ἐκ ἀποστέλλω-VA--AAD2S ὁ- A--ASM λαός-N2--ASM ἐγώ- P--GS ἵνα-C ἐγώ- P--DS λατρεύω-VA--AAS3P ἐν-P ὁ- A--DSF ἔρημος-N2--DSF

17 ἐάν-C δέ-X μή-D βούλομαι-V1--PMI2S ἐκ ἀποστέλλω-VA--AAN ὁ- A--ASM λαός-N2--ASM ἐγώ- P--GS ἰδού-I ἐγώ- P--NS ἐπι ἀποστέλλω-V1--PAI1S ἐπί-P σύ- P--AS καί-C ἐπί-P ὁ- A--APM θεράπων-N3--APM σύ- P--GS καί-C ἐπί-P ὁ- A--ASM λαός-N2--ASM σύ- P--GS καί-C ἐπί-P ὁ- A--APM οἶκος-N2--APM σύ- P--GP κυνόμυια-N1A-ASF καί-C πίμπλημι-VS--FPI3P ὁ- A--NPF οἰκία-N1A-NPF ὁ- A--GPM *αἰγύπτιος-N2--GPM ὁ- A--GSF κυνόμυια-N1A-GSF καί-C εἰς-P ὁ- A--ASF γῆ-N1--ASF ἐπί-P ὅς- --GSF εἰμί-V9--PAI3P ἐπί-P αὐτός- D--GSF

18 καί-C παραδοξάζω-VF--FAI1S ἐν-P ὁ- A--DSF ἡμέρα-N1A-DSF ἐκεῖνος- D--DSF ὁ- A--ASF γῆ-N1--ASF *γεσεμ-N---GS ἐπί-P ὅς- --GSF ὁ- A--NSM λαός-N2--NSM ἐγώ- P--GS ἐπιεἰμί-V9--PAI3S ἐπί-P αὐτός- D--GSF ἐπί-P ὅς- --GSF οὐ-D εἰμί-VF--FMI3S ἐκεῖ-D ὁ- A--NSF κυνόμυια-N1A-NSF ἵνα-C οἶδα-VX--XAS2S ὅτι-C ἐγώ- P--NS εἰμί-V9--PAI1S κύριος-N2--NSM ὁ- A--NSM κύριος-N2--NSM πᾶς-A1S-GSF ὁ- A--GSF γῆ-N1--GSF

19 καί-C δίδωμι-VF--FAI1S διαστολή-N1--ASF ἀνά-P μέσος-A1--ASN ὁ- A--GSM ἐγώ- P--GS λαός-N2--GSM καί-C ἀνά-P μέσος-A1--ASN ὁ- A--GSM σύ- P--GS λαός-N2--GSM ἐν-P δέ-X ὁ- A--DSF αὔριον-D εἰμί-VF--FMI3S ὁ- A--NSN σημεῖον-N2N-NSN οὗτος- D--NSN ἐπί-P ὁ- A--GSF γῆ-N1--GSF

20 ποιέω-VAI-AAI3S δέ-X κύριος-N2--NSM οὕτως-D καί-C παραγίγνομαι-VBI-AMI3S ὁ- A--NSF κυνόμυια-N1A-NSF πλῆθος-N3E-NSN εἰς-P ὁ- A--APM οἶκος-N2--APM *φαραώ-N---GSM καί-C εἰς-P ὁ- A--APM οἶκος-N2--APM ὁ- A--GPM θεράπων-N3--GPM αὐτός- D--GSM καί-C εἰς-P πᾶς-A1S-ASF ὁ- A--ASF γῆ-N1--ASF *αἴγυπτος-N2--GSF καί-C ἐκὀλεθρεύω-VCI-API3S ὁ- A--NSF γῆ-N1--NSF ἀπό-P ὁ- A--GSF κυνόμυια-N1A-GSF

21 καλέω-VAI-AAI3S δέ-X *φαραώ-N---NSM *μωυσῆς-N1M-ASM καί-C *ααρων-N---ASM λέγω-V1--PAPNSM ἔρχομαι-VB--AAPNPM θύω-VA--AAD2P ὁ- A--DSM θεός-N2--DSM σύ- P--GP ἐν-P ὁ- A--DSF γῆ-N1--DSF

22 καί-C εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S *μωυσῆς-N1M-NSM οὐ-D δυνατός-A1--ASN γίγνομαι-VB--AMN οὕτως-D ὁ- A--APN γάρ-X βδέλυγμα-N3M-APN ὁ- A--GPM *αἰγύπτιος-N2--GPM θύω-VF--FAI1P κύριος-N2--DSM ὁ- A--DSM θεός-N2--DSM ἐγώ- P--GP ἐάν-C γάρ-X θύω-VA--AAS1P ὁ- A--APN βδέλυγμα-N3M-APN ὁ- A--GPM *αἰγύπτιος-N2--GPM ἐναντίον-P αὐτός- D--GPM λιθοβολέω-VF2-FPI1P

23 ὁδός-N2--ASF τρεῖς-A3--GPF ἡμέρα-N1A-GPF πορεύομαι-VF--FMI1P εἰς-P ὁ- A--ASF ἔρημος-N2--ASF καί-C θύω-VF--FAI1P κύριος-N2--DSM ὁ- A--DSM θεός-N2--DSM ἐγώ- P--GP καθάπερ-D εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S ἐγώ- P--DP

24 καί-C εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S *φαραώ-N---NSM ἐγώ- P--NS ἀποστέλλω-V1--PAI1S σύ- P--AP καί-C θύω-VA--AAD2P κύριος-N2--DSM ὁ- A--DSM θεός-N2--DSM σύ- P--GP ἐν-P ὁ- A--DSF ἔρημος-N2--DSF ἀλλά-C οὐ-D μακράν-D ἀποτείνω-VF2-FAI2P πορεύομαι-VC--APN εὔχομαι-VA--AMD2P οὖν-X περί-P ἐγώ- P--GS πρός-P κύριος-N2--ASM

25 εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S δέ-X *μωυσῆς-N1M-NSM ὅδε- D--NSM ἐγώ- P--NS ἐκἔρχομαι-VF--FMI1S ἀπό-P σύ- P--GS καί-C εὔχομαι-VF--FMI1S πρός-P ὁ- A--ASM θεός-N2--ASM καί-C ἀποἔρχομαι-VF--FMI3S ὁ- A--NSF κυνόμυια-N1A-NSF ἀπό-P σύ- P--GS καί-C ἀπό-P ὁ- A--GPM θεράπων-N3--GPM σύ- P--GS καί-C ὁ- A--GSM λαός-N2--GSM σύ- P--GS αὔριον-D μή-D προςτίθημι-VE--AAS2S ἔτι-D *φαραώ-N---VSM ἐκἀπατάω-VA--AAD2S ὁ- A--GSN μή-D ἐκ ἀποστέλλω-VA--AAN ὁ- A--ASM λαός-N2--ASM θύω-VA--AAN κύριος-N2--DSM

26 ἐκἔρχομαι-VBI-AAI3S δέ-X *μωυσῆς-N1M-NSM ἀπό-P *φαραώ-N---GSM καί-C εὔχομαι-VAI-AMI3S πρός-P ὁ- A--ASM θεός-N2--ASM

27 ποιέω-VAI-AAI3S δέ-X κύριος-N2--NSM καθάπερ-D εἶπον-VBI-AAI3S *μωυσῆς-N1M-NSM καί-C περιαἱρέω-VBI-AAI3S ὁ- A--ASF κυνόμυια-N1A-ASF ἀπό-P *φαραώ-N---GSM καί-C ὁ- A--GPM θεράπων-N3--GPM αὐτός- D--GSM καί-C ὁ- A--GSM λαός-N2--GSM αὐτός- D--GSM καί-C οὐ-D καταλείπω-VVI-API3S οὐδείς-A3--NSF

28 καί-C βαρύνω-V1I-IAI3S *φαραώ-N---NSM ὁ- A--ASF καρδία-N1A-ASF αὐτός- D--GSM καί-C ἐπί-P ὁ- A--GSM καιρός-N2--GSM οὗτος- D--GSM καί-C οὐ-D θέλω-VAI-AAI3S ἐκ ἀποστέλλω-VA--AAN ὁ- A--ASM λαός-N2--ASM

   

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Apocalypse Revealed # 503

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503. We will now say what Egypt symbolizes in the Word: Egypt symbolizes the natural self joined to the spiritual self, and its affection for truth then and consequent knowledge and intelligence. And in an opposite sense it symbolizes the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, and its conceit in its own intelligence then and consequent irrationality in spiritual matters.

Egypt symbolizes the natural self joined to the spiritual self, and its affection for truth then and consequent knowledge and intelligence, in the following passages:

In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt... swearing an oath to Jehovah of Hosts... In that day there will be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt... Then Jehovah will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day... (Isaiah 19:18-21)

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, so that the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria - a blessing in the midst of the land, whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is My people Egypt, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance." (Isaiah 19:23-25)

Egypt there is the natural component, Assyria the rational one, and Israel the spiritual one. These three form a person of the church.

That is why the king of Egypt is called "the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings," and Egypt is called "the cornerstone of (the) tribes." (Isaiah 19:11, 13) And regarding Solomon we are told that his wisdom excelled the wisdom of the Egyptians (1 Kings 4:30). We are also told that he "took Pharaoh's daughter as a wife, and brought her into the city of David" (1 Kings 3:1), and that he "built a house for Pharaoh's daughter next to the porch" (1 Kings 7:8).

[2] For this reason Joseph was carried down into Egypt and there became the ruler of the whole land (Genesis 41).

Since Egypt symbolized the natural self in respect to its affection for truth and consequent knowledge and intelligence, therefore Joseph, the husband of Mary, having been warned by an angel, went with the infant Lord into Egypt (Matthew 2:14-15), in fulfillment of the prophecy,

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. (Hosea 11:1)

You caused a vine to come out of Egypt; You... planted it... and caused it to send forth its roots... (Psalms 80:8-9)

For a person is born natural, becomes rational, and later spiritual. Thus is a vine from Egypt planted and caused to take root.

For the sake of this representation, moreover, Abraham sojourned in Egypt (Genesis 12:10ff.). And Jacob was commanded to go with his sons into Egypt, and they also abode there (Genesis 46ff.).

So, too, the land of Canaan, which symbolizes the church, is described to extend "even to the river of Egypt" (Genesis 15:18, 1 Kings 4:21, Micah 7:12). And Egypt is compared to the Garden of Eden, the garden of God (Ezekiel 31:2, 8, Genesis 13:10).

The knowledge of the natural self is also called "the precious things of Egypt" (Daniel 11:43), and "fine embroidered linen from Egypt" (Ezekiel 27:7).

And so on elsewhere where Egypt is spoken of affirmatively, as in Isaiah 27:12-13.

[3] On the other hand, in an opposite sense Egypt symbolizes the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, and its conceit in its own intelligence then and consequent irrationality in spiritual matters, in the following places:

Because...(Pharaoh's) heart was lifted up in its height, and it set its top among the thick boughs..., aliens... will cut him off and cast him down... In the day when he went down to hell..., I covered the deep over him...(and) you shall lie in the midst of the uncircumcised... (Ezekiel 31:10-18)

...the foundations (of Egypt) shall be overthrown... ...the pride of her power shall come down... ...and shall be laid waste... her cities... in the midst of the desolate cities... I will set fire to Egypt..., and I will disperse Egypt among the nations, and scatter them throughout the lands. (Ezekiel 30:1ff.)

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help..., and do not look to the Holy One of Israel... For the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. (Isaiah 31:1, 3)

Egypt rises up like a flood... He says, "I will go up, I will cover the earth, (and) I will destroy... Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots! ...The sword shall devour (you), and be... made drunk with blood...; there is no healing for you. (Jeremiah 46:2, 8-11)

How do you say to Pharaoh, "I am the son of the wise, and the son of ancient kings?" Where are your wise men now? ...let them know... The princes of Zoan have become fools...; they have led Egypt astray..., the cornerstone of (the) tribes... Neither will there be any work for Egypt, which may form the head or the tail... (Isaiah 19:1-17)

...prophesy against... Egypt..., O great whale who lie in the midst of your rivers. Because he said, "My river, and I have made myself," (therefore) I will put hooks in your jaws, and cause the fish of your rivers to stick to your scales... And I will leave you in the wilderness... Therefore... the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste. (Ezekiel 29:1-12)

And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 30:1, 2, 7; 2 Kings 18:21.

[4] Since the Egyptians became of such a character, therefore they were rendered desolate as regards all the goods and truths of the church. Their desolations are described by the miracles done there, which were plagues, and these symbolized the many lusts of the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, a natural self which acts only in accordance with its own intelligence and its conceit. The plagues symbolic of its lusts were these:

That the water in the river turned to blood so that the fish died and the river stank. (Exodus 7)

That the streams and ponds brought forth frogs upon the land of Egypt. That the dust of the ground turned into lice. That a swarm of noxious flying insects was sent. (Exodus 8)

[That a pestilence occurred so that the livestock of Egypt died.] That sores were caused to break out with pustules on man and beast. That a downpour of hail mixed with fire rained down. (Exodus 9)

That locusts were sent. That darkness occurred through all the land of Egypt. (Exodus 10).

That all the firstborn in the land of Egypt died. (Exodus 11,12)

And finally, that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14), which symbolizes hell.

To find what all these things symbolize specifically, see Arcana Coelestia (The Secrets of Heaven), published in London, where they are explained.

It is apparent from this what is symbolically meant by the plagues and diseases of Egypt in Deuteronomy 7:15; 28:60; what is symbolically meant by drowning in the river of Egypt in Amos 8:8; 9:5; and why it is that Egypt is called a land of bondage in Micah 6:4, the land of Ham in Psalms 106:22, and an iron furnace in Deuteronomy 4:20, 1 Kings 8:51.

[5] The reason Egypt symbolizes both intelligence and irrationality in spiritual matters was that the Ancient Church, which extended through many kingdoms in Asia, existed also in Egypt, and at that time the Egyptians, more than any others, cultivated a study of the correspondences between spiritual and natural things, as is apparent from the hieroglyphs there. But when that study among them was turned into magic and became idolatrous, then their intelligence in spiritual matters became irrational. Egypt symbolizes this, therefore, in an opposite sense.

It can be seen from this what the great city means, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt.

  
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Many thanks to the General Church of the New Jerusalem, and to Rev. N.B. Rogers, translator, for the permission to use this translation.