Arcana Coelestia #5701
5701. Because the Egyptians cannot eat bread with the Hebrews. That this signifies that they could not possibly be conjoined with the truth and good of the church, is evident from the representation of the Egyptians, as being those who are in inverted order, thus in evil and falsity (of which just above, n. 5700); from the signification of “eating bread,” as being to be conjoined (of which also above, n. 5698); and from the representation of the Hebrews, as being those who are in genuine order, thus in the truth and good of the church. (That by the “land of the Hebrews” is signified the church may be seen above, n. 5136, 5236, and this because the Hebrew Church was the second Ancient Church, n. 1238, 1241, 1343.) “Eating bread” is mentioned here, and above “setting on bread,” because by “bread” is signified all food in general (n. 2165), thus the banquet. The reason why by “bread” is signified all food and the banquet itself, is that in the spiritual sense “bread” is celestial love, and celestial love contains within it all things of good and truth, thus all things of spiritual food. (That “bread” is celestial love may be seen above, n. 276, 680, 2165, 2177, 2187, 3464, 3478, 3735, 4211, 4217, 4735, 4976.)
John 6:31-35
31
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, 'He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.'"
32
Jesus therefore said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven.
33
For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world."
34
They said therefore to him, "Lord, always give us this bread."
35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
