Arcana Coelestia # 8278
8278. The abysses have covered them. That this signifies that falsities from cupidities have enveloped them, is evident from the signification of “the abysses,” as being falsities which are from cupidities. By “abysses” in the Word are meant waters and abundance of waters in the deeps; and by “waters” in a good sense are signified truths, and in the opposite sense falsities (see n. 739, 790, 2702, 3058, 3424, 4976, 5668), and by “deeps” are signified the hells. Hence it is that “abysses” denote falsities from cupidities; also that they denote the hells. That by “abysses” in the Word are meant waters in the deeps and abundance of waters, is evident in Ezekiel:
The waters made the cedar to grow, the abyss made it high; so that with its rivers it went round thy plant, and it sent out water-channels unto all the trees of the field (Ezekiel 31:4).
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and made them drink the great abysses; He brought forth streams out of the rock, and made the waters to come down like streams (Psalms 78:15-16).
A good land, a land of rivers of water, of fountains and abysses, going forth from valley and from mountain (Deuteronomy 8:7).
In these passages “abysses” denote waters in abundance; and waters in abundance, or “abysses,” denote truths of faith in abundance. “He made them to drink great abysses out of the rock” denotes that He made them receive truths of faith without lack, for “rock” denotes faith from the Lord, thus the Lord as to faith; “the abysses going forth from valley and from mountain” denote truths of faith from love. Consequently also among the blessings of Joseph were “blessings of the abyss that lieth beneath” (Genesis 49:25; Deuteronomy 33:13).
[2] That “abysses” denote falsities from cupidities, consequently also the hells, is evident in Isaiah:
Awake, as in the days of old, the generations of eternity; dost Thou not dry up the sea, the waters of the great abyss, and make the depths of the sea for a way, that the redeemed may pass over? (Isaiah 51:9-10).
Jehovah who cleft asunder the waters before them, who led them through the abysses, like a horse in the wilderness; they stumbled not (Isaiah 63:12-13).
Thus said the Lord Jehovih, When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall make the abyss to come up against thee, and many waters shall cover thee (Ezekiel 26:19).
I saw a star from heaven fallen to the earth, to which was given the key of the pit of the abyss, and he opened the pit of the abyss (Revelation 9:1-2, 11).
The beast that cometh up out of the abyss made war with them (Revelation 11:7).
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss, and go into perdition (Revelation 17:8).
In these passages the “abyss” denotes the hells, thus also falsities from cupidities, for these are in the hells and make them.
[3] As these things are signified by “abysses,” by them are also signified temptations, for temptations are effected by means of falsities and evils that are injected by the hells. In this sense “abyss” is used in Jonah:
The waters compassed me about, even to the soul; the abyss was round about me (Jonah 2:5).
Abyss crieth unto abyss at the voice of thy water-channels; all thy breakers and thy waves have passed over me (Psalms 42:7).
Who hast shown me many and evil straitnesses, return and quicken me, and make me return and come up from the abysses of the earth (Psalms 71:20).
Exodus 15
1
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh, and said, "I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
2
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
3
Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name.
4
He has cast Pharaoh's chariots and his army into the sea. His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.
5
The deeps cover them. They went down into the depths like a stone.
6
Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces.
7
In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up against you. You send forth your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.
8
With the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up. The floods stood upright as a heap. The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.
9
The enemy said, 'I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the spoil. My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.'
10
You blew with your wind. The sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11
Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12
You stretched out your right hand. The earth swallowed them.
13
"You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy habitation.
14
The peoples have heard. They tremble. Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.
15
Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed. Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.
16
Terror and dread falls on them. By the greatness of your arm they are as still as a stone-- until your people pass over, Yahweh, until the people pass over who you have purchased.
17
You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, the place, Yahweh, which you have made for yourself to dwell in; the sanctuary, Lord, which your hands have established.
18
Yahweh shall reign forever and ever."
19
For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Yahweh brought back the waters of the sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea.
20
Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.
21
Miriam answered them, "Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea."
22
Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
23
When they came to Marah, they couldn't drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah.
24
The people murmured against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"
25
Then he cried to Yahweh. Yahweh showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them;
26
and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you."
27
They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
