8208. And the Egyptians pursued. That this signifies the endeavor of falsity from evil to inflict violence, is evident from the signification of “pursuing,” when done by the Egyptians, as being an endeavor to subjugate (see n. 8136, 8152, 8154), thus to inflict violence; and from the representation of the Egyptians, as being those who are in falsities from evil (n. 8132, 8135, 8136, 8146, 8148), thus also the falsities from evil.

8138.

In Pharaoh and in all his army. That this signifies the immersion in hell of those who were in falsities from evil, and an environment there by falsities as by waters, is evident from what has just been mentioned (n. 8137), namely, that by “Pharaoh” and also by “his army,” are signified those who were cast into hell; by “Pharaoh,” those who are in falsities from evil, and by “his army,” the falsities themselves. (That “armies” denote truths from good see n. 3448, 7236, 7988, and therefore in the opposite sense they signify falsities from evil n. 3448.) It is said “an environment by falsities as by waters,” because falsities from evil, such as belong to those of the church who have been in faith separate and in a life of evil, appear there like waters (n. 8137), and it is from this that inundations of waters signify vastations of truth, and the waters of them, falsities (n. 705, 739, 756, 6346, 6853, 7307).