The face of the water (Genesis 1:2) signifies the knowledges of good and truth.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 19)

In Exodus 15:8, this signifies falsities gathered together. Waters normally signify truths, but in this case, where they were blocking the escape of the Children of Israel from slavery and signify the opposite: falsities.

(References: Arcana Coelestia 8286)

19. 'The Spirit of God' is used to mean the Lord's mercy, which is said 'to hover', like a hen over eggs, over what the Lord stores away in man and which in the Word are frequently called 'remnants'. These remnants are cognitions of truth and good which never come to light or into daylight until external things have been laid waste. These cognitions are here called 'the face ¹ of the waters'.

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