8755. 'And they travelled from Rephidim' means a continuation of life from the first state. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling' as a Edom, continuation of life, dealt with in 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996, 8181, 8345, 8397, 8557; and from the meaning of 'Rephidim' as the essential nature of the state of a temptation that has to do with truth dealt with in 8561, thus the essential nature of the first state referred to immediately above in 8754. For in that first state a member of the spiritual Church undergoes temptations. Therefore from that first state there is a continuation of life, and this is meant by 'travelling from Rephidim'.

8181. 'And let them travel on' means a further stage, continuing until their preparation has been accomplished. This is clear from the meaning of 'travelling on' as a stage further and a continuation, dealt with in 4375, 4554, 4585, 5996. For this directive to travel on means that there should be no cry from them, that is, no pleading, but that the journeying should be continued towards the Sea Suph, and then through it towards the wilderness, that is, through hell, which they will pass through in safety, towards a succession of temptations continuing one after another, until their preparation has been accomplished. For the meaning of 'the Sea Suph' as hell, see 8099, 8137, 8148, and of 'the wilderness' as a state for undergoing temptations, 8098.