8397. And they journeyed from Elim. That this signifies what is successive, is evident from the signification of “journeying,” as being what is successive and continuous (see n. 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345); and from the signification of “Elim,” as being a state of consolation after temptation (n. 8367), consequently by “they journeyed from Elim,” is signified what is successive of life in respect to states of temptations. For when those who are of the spiritual church are undergoing temptations, they are brought from one temptation into another. This is the successive that is here signified by “journeying.” That “journeying” signifies what is successive of life, is because there are no spaces, as there are no times, in the other life; but states instead of them (n. 2625, 2837, 3356, 3387, 4321, 4882, 5605, 7381). Consequently movements do not signify movements, nor journeyings, journeyings; but changes and successions of states.

8181. That they set forward. That this signifies what follows on continuously even until they are prepared, is evident from the signification of “setting forward,” as being what is successive and continuous (see n. 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996); for thereby is signified that they were not to cry out, that is, to supplicate, but that the journey was to be continued to the sea Suph, and afterward through it to the wilderness, thus through hell, which they should pass through safely, to temptations in successive continuation, even until they should be prepared. (That by the “sea Suph” is signified hell, see n. 8099, 8137, 8148, and by the “wilderness” a state of undergoing temptations, n. 8098)