124. And ye shall have tribulation ten days. That this signifies that infestation, and thence temptation, will endure for some time, is evident from the signification of tribulation, as being the infestation and temptation of those who are in the spiritual affection of truth by those who are in falsities (that this is meant by tribulation is clear, because it is spoken of those who are in such affection), and from the signification of ten days, as being duration for some time. The reason why by ten days is signified duration for some time, is, that by forty days is signified an entire duration of infestation and temptation (see Arcana Coelestia 2959, 7985, 7986), and because ten is some part thereof. For all numbers in the Word signify things or states, with variety according to their relation to other numbers. (The number ten, without relation to other numbers, signifies what is full, or much, see n. 3107, 4638; but in relation to a greater number it signifies as much as is conducive to uses, n. 9757; here therefore it signifies duration for some time, thus as use requires. That all numbers in the Word signify things or states, see Arcana Coelestia 482, 487, 647, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 4495, 4670, 5265, 6175, 9488, 9659, 10217, 10253.) Anyone who considers the subject may see, that by the tribulation of ten days here mentioned, which those should have who are cast into prison by the devil, is signified something more than ten days' tribulation.