8397. And they journeyed from Elim. That this signifies what is successive, is evident from the signification of “journeying,” as being what is successive and continuous (see n. 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345); and from the signification of “Elim,” as being a state of consolation after temptation (n. 8367), consequently by “they journeyed from Elim,” is signified what is successive of life in respect to states of temptations. For when those who are of the spiritual church are undergoing temptations, they are brought from one temptation into another. This is the successive that is here signified by “journeying.” That “journeying” signifies what is successive of life, is because there are no spaces, as there are no times, in the other life; but states instead of them (n. 2625, 2837, 3356, 3387, 4321, 4882, 5605, 7381). Consequently movements do not signify movements, nor journeyings, journeyings; but changes and successions of states.

2837. Jehovah-will-see. That this signifies the Lord’s providence, is evident from the signification of “seeing,” when predicated of Jehovah or the Lord, as being to foresee and provide (see n. 2807). (That “Jehovah” is the Lord, may be seen above, n. 1343, 1736, 2156, 2329.) In the literal sense this is the naming of a place, but in the internal sense it is the quality of a state which is described; for times and spaces are merely of nature; and therefore when the sense of the letter of the Word passes from nature into heaven, the natural idea of those things altogether perishes, and becomes the spiritual idea that corresponds to them.