8287. 'The floods stood as a heap' means that those constantly attempting what was evil could not engage in any molestation whatever. This is clear from the meaning of 'standing as a heap', when it refers to falsities arising from evil, as constantly attempting what is evil, for when floods stand as a heap they are overhanging and endeavouring to rush down, but are held back by a stronger force; and from the meaning of 'the floods', like 'the waters', as falsities arising from evil, 7307, 8137, 8138. But they are called 'the floods' on account of their attempt to flow in, that is, to molest.

7307. 'Behold, he goes out to the water' means that at this time those who molested were steeped in falsities resulting from illusions. This is clear from the representation of 'Pharaoh' as those who molest, dealt with previously; and from the meaning of 'the water', here the water of Egypt, as falsities resulting from illusions. The reason why these falsities - falsities resulting from illusions - are meant here is that such falsities are what is meant by 'the serpent' that Aaron's rod was turned into, 7293. For the meaning of 'water' as truths and in the contrary sense falsities, see 739, 790, 2702, 3058, 3424, 4976, 5668; and for 'the river of Egypt' as falsity, 6693.