4017. 'In the troughs of water where the flocks came to drink' means affections for truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'water' as cognitions and facts, which are the truths of the natural, dealt with in 28, 2702, 3058; from the meaning of 'troughs' or water-holders, which, since they are containers of water, in the internal sense mean the goods that go with truth, for these goods are the holders of truth, dealt with in 3095- and from the meaning of 'coming to drink' as the affection for truth. The reason why 'coming to drink' means the affection for truth is that it implies thirst, and 'thirst' in the Word means appetite and desire, and so the affection for knowing and taking in truth. It has this meaning because 'water' means truth in general. 'Hunger' however means appetite and desire, and so the affection for assimilating good. It does so because 'bread', which is used to denote food in general, 2165, means good. From this it is evident that these words mean affections for truth.

8562. 'And there was no water for the people to drink' means a lack of truth and consequently of refreshment. This is clear from the meaning of 'water' as the truth of faith, dealt with in 2702, 3058, 3424, 4976, 5668; and from the meaning of 'drinking' as receiving instruction in the truths of faith and accepting them, dealt with in 3069, 3772, 4017, 4018, at this point being refreshed, because just as water and drink refresh a person's natural life, so truths and cognitions of truth refresh his spiritual life. For one whose life is spiritual desires to sustain that life with such things as are called heavenly food and drink, which are the forms of good and the truths of faith, even as one whose life is natural desires to sustain this with such things as constitute natural food and drink.

[2] The reason why the subject now is a temptation having to do with truth is that the subject immediately before was a temptation which had to do with good, after which temptation the people received the manna, by which good is meant. When the Lord imparts good to someone that person comes to have a desire for truth, and this desire is aroused according to the lack of it; for good craves truth continually. Every genuine affection for truth springs from good. The situation is as it is with food. Without drink food is unable to supply nourishment to natural life; furthermore food creates a craving for drink, in order that, when combined with it, it may serve its purpose. This then is the reason why a temptation having to do with truth comes immediately after a temptation having to do with good. Temptation attacks what a person loves and desires, 4274, 4299.