Arcana Coelestia #8161
8161. And behold the Egyptian marching after them. That this signifies the grievousness of falsity continually increasing, is evident from the signification of “the Egyptian,” as being those who are in falsities from evil, thus also the falsity itself from evil (see n. 8132, 8135, 8146, 8148); and from the signification of “marching after them,” as being a nearer influx and communication. By “Pharaoh drew nigh” was signified the influx of falsity from evil (n. 8159), therefore by “marching after them” is signified influx still nearer, thus more grievous; hence it is that there is signified the grievousness of falsity continually increasing. In what presently follows is described temptation, and as this arises through an influx of falsity from evil from the hells, its approach is now described, that is, its increasing grievousness.
Arcana Coelestia #8138
8138.
In Pharaoh and in all his army. That this signifies the immersion in hell of those who were in falsities from evil, and an environment there by falsities as by waters, is evident from what has just been mentioned (n. 8137), namely, that by “Pharaoh” and also by “his army,” are signified those who were cast into hell; by “Pharaoh,” those who are in falsities from evil, and by “his army,” the falsities themselves. (That “armies” denote truths from good see n. 3448, 7236, 7988, and therefore in the opposite sense they signify falsities from evil n. 3448.) It is said “an environment by falsities as by waters,” because falsities from evil, such as belong to those of the church who have been in faith separate and in a life of evil, appear there like waters (n. 8137), and it is from this that inundations of waters signify vastations of truth, and the waters of them, falsities (n. 705, 739, 756, 6346, 6853, 7307).