7579. 'Since it became a nation means from the day on which it happened that it - the natural mind - was able to admit goodness and therefore truth into itself. This is clear from the meaning of 'a nation' as good, dealt with in 1159, 1259, 1260, 1416, 1849, 4574, 6005, and since the expression is used in reference to the land of Egypt, by which true factual knowledge belonging to the natural mind is meant, therefore 'nation also means truth that springs from good; and from the meaning of 'since it became' as from the day on which it happened.

1849. That 'the nation also which they are going to serve' means the evil who oppress is clear from the meaning of 'nation' and of 'serving'. In the genuine sense 'a nation' means goods, or what amounts to the same, those who are good, for when goods are thus spoken of abstractedly they still have reference to the subject, which is a man, spirit, or angel. In the contrary sense however 'nation' means evils, or what amounts to the same, those who are evil, dealt with in 1159, 1258-1260. 'Serving' however, or slavery, means oppression, as in the previous verse.