6149. 'For the priests had a fixed portion from Pharaoh' means that this had therefore been decreed by the natural, which was under the control of the internal. This is clear from the meaning of a 'fixed portion' as that which has been decreed, and from the representation of 'Pharaoh" as the natural in general, dealt with in 5160, 5799, 6015. And since that decree made in the natural originated in the internal, the description 'under the control of the internal' is added, which control was also represented by Joseph's being lord over the whole of Egypt, and over Pharaoh's house too, see 6145.

5160. 'On Pharaoh's birthday' means when the natural was to be regenerated. This is clear from the meaning of 'being born' as being regenerated, dealt with below; and from the representation of 'Pharaoh' as the interior natural, dealt with in 5080, 5095, in this case the natural in general because among regenerate persons the agreement of the interior natural with the exterior natural causes the two to act as one. The reason 'being born' means being regenerated is that in the internal sense spiritual matters are meant, and spiritual birth is regeneration, which is also called rebirth. When therefore birth is spoken of in the Word no other birth is understood in heaven than a birth effected through water and the spirit, that is, through faith and charity. For being born again or regenerated makes a person truly human and entirely different from animals, because in this case he becomes a son and heir of the Lord's kingdom. As regards the births which are mentioned in the Word meaning spiritual births, see 1145, 1255, 3860, 3868, 4070, 4668.