7425. All the dust of the land became louse in all the land of Egypt. That this signifies that these evils were from the things that had been damned, is evident from the signification of “the dust of the land,” as being what is damned (of which above, n. 7418); from the signification of “lice,” as being evils (n. 7419); and from the signification of “the land of Egypt,” as being the natural mind (of which also above, n. 7420).

45. Those who lived in the most ancient times thus signified the things relating to the understanding and to the will; and therefore in the Prophets, and constantly in the Word of the Old Testament, the like things are represented by different kinds of animals. Beasts are of two kinds; the evil, so called because they are hurtful; and the good, which are harmless. Evils in man are signified by evil beasts, as by bears, wolves, dogs; and the things which are good and gentle, by beasts of a like nature, as by heifers, sheep, and lambs. The “beasts” here referred to are good and gentle ones, and thus signify affections, because it here treats of those who are being regenerated. The lower things in man, which have more connection with the body, are called “wild animals of that earth” and are cupidities and pleasures.