1851. And after this happens, they will depart with a great deal of property, symbolizes deliverance, and acquisition of heavenly and spiritual benefits. This can be seen from the symbolism of departing as being freed and from that of property as heavenly and spiritual good. This is the property acquired by people who suffer persecution and undergo trials, oppression, and affliction (slavery), as described in this verse and the last. Benefits of the same kind are also represented and symbolized by the property Jacob's descendants had when they left Egypt (Exodus 11:2; 12:36). The same is true of the property Jacob's descendants acquired in the land of Canaan, once they had driven off the indigenous nations [Joshua 11:16-12:6; 22:8], and it is true in passages throughout the prophets about taking plunder from one's enemies and growing rich on it. 1
Footnotes:
1. There are many passages in the prophets that mention plunder, and some that mention wealth as well (for example, Isaiah 8:4; Ezekiel 26:12), but generally the idea of growing rich from plunder is only to be inferred from the context. For further discussion of the topic of plunder, or spoils, see §6442. [Editors]
