5282. 'And as for the dream being presented to Pharaoh twice means because what was foreseen had regard to both parts of the natural. This is clear from the meaning of 'the dream' as foresight, dealt with in 3698, 5091, 5092, 5104; from the representation of 'Pharaoh' as the natural, dealt with in 5079, 5080, 5095, 5160; and from the meaning of 'presented twice' as that which has regard to both parts of the natural, that is to say, the interior part and the exterior part - for the natural has two parts, the interior and the exterior, see 5118, 5126. That which had regard to the interior natural was foreseen in the first dream, the one about the cows, 5198, 5202; that which had regard to the exterior natural was foreseen in the second dream, the one about the heads of grain, 5212. Therefore 'presented twice' has regard to both parts.

4749. 'Taking them down to Egypt' means teaching based on factual knowledge. This is clear from the meaning of 'Egypt' as facts, dealt with in 1164, 1165, 1462; and because 'spices, resin, and stacte' means interior truths based on the facts possessed by those in whom simple good is present, like that present in gentiles, therefore 'taking them down to that place' means receipt of teaching. The position is this: The facts meant by 'Egypt' are facts which contribute to spiritual life and correspond to spiritual truths, for in former times the Ancient Church had existed there also. But once the Church there had been turned into magic, facts which pervert spiritual things were meant after that by 'Egypt'. This explains why facts are meant in the Word, both in the good sense and in the contrary sense, by 'Egypt', see 1164, 1165, 1462; in this case in the good sense.

[2] The factual knowledge on which the interior truths meant by the spices, resin, and stacte which the Ishmaelites were carrying on their camels are based are not the kind of facts which the Church possesses but the kind found among gentiles. The truths obtained from these facts found among gentiles cannot receive correction and be made sound except by means of the facts which the genuine Church possesses, and so by instruction in those facts. These are the matters meant at this point.