Food in the Bible generally relates to the desire for good, and drink generally relates to ideas of what is true. It makes sense then, that being hungry represents a lack of good intentions and a desire for them, while thirsting or being thirsty represents a lack of knowledge and a desire to learn what is true about life, the Lord, and what we are called to do and be.

(References: Apocalypse Explained 480; Apocalypse Revealed 381, 889, 956; Arcana Coelestia 4017, 8568)

8811. 'And so it was on the third day' - means at the end of purification. This is clear from the meaning of 'the third day' as the end of the state of preparation to receive, as above in 8791, and so the end of purification.