8758. 'And Israel encamped beside the mountain' means an arrangement effected by Divine heavenly good among those belonging to the spiritual Church. This is clear from the meaning of 'encamping' as an arrangement, as above in 8757; from the representation of 'Israel' as those who belong to the spiritual Church, also dealt with above, in 8751; and from the meaning of 'the mountain' as the good of heavenly love, dealt with in 4210, 6435, 8327. The words 'Divine heavenly good' are used to mean good from God as it exists in heaven; for that good as it exists in itself is far above heaven.

8757. 'And encamped in the wilderness' means the arrangement within that state of good. This is clear from the meaning of 'encamping' as setting out in order the truth and good which have to do with life, dealt with in 8103 (end), thus also an arrangement; and from the meaning of 'the wilderness' as a state of good in which the truths of faith have not as yet been implanted, dealt with above in 8753.