5799. 'For as you are, so is Pharaoh' means that he has control over the natural. This is clear from the representation of 'Pharaoh' as the natural in general, dealt with in 5160; and from the representation of 'Joseph' as the internal, dealt with previously. The control exercised by the internal over the natural is represented by Joseph's being placed in charge over all the land of Egypt as well as over the whole of Pharaoh's house, Genesis 41:40-41.

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.