503、现在要说一说在圣言中，“埃及”表示什么。“埃及”表示与属灵人结合的属世人，因而表示那时对真理的情感，以及随之而来的知识或科学和聪明；但在反面意义上表示与属灵人分离的属世人，以及那时自我聪明的骄傲，和随之而来的在属灵事物上的疯狂。在以下经文中，“埃及”表示与属灵人结合的属世人，以及那时对真理的情感，和随之而来的知识或科学和聪明；以赛亚书：
当那日，埃及地必有五城指着万军之耶和华起誓。当那日，在埃及地中间必有一座祭坛献给耶和华；到那时，耶和华必被埃及所认识，当那日，埃及人必认识耶和华。(以赛亚书19:18-21)
又：
在那日，必有从埃及通往亚述的大道，亚述要进入埃及，埃及也要进入亚述，埃及人要与亚述人一同服侍。在那日，以色列必与埃及和亚述并列第三，成为地中间的祝福；万军之耶和华必赐福给他们，说，埃及我的百姓，亚述我手的工作，以色列我的产业，都有福了。(以赛亚书19:23-25)
这里的“埃及”是指属世层，“亚述”是指理性层，“以色列”是指属灵层；这三者构成教会之人。因此，“埃及王”被称为“智慧人的儿子”、“古时君王的儿子”；“埃及”被称为“支派房角石”(以赛亚书19:11, 13)。论到所罗门，经上说，他的智慧超过埃及人的智慧(列王纪上4:30)；他娶了法老的女儿为妻，接她进大卫城(列王纪上3:1)；他在廊子旁边为法老的女儿建造了一座房屋(列王纪上7:8)。
由于同样的原因，约瑟被带到埃及，在那里成了全地的统治者(创世记41:37-57)。由于“埃及”表示对真理的情感，以及随之而来的知识或科学和聪明方面的属世人，所以马利亚的丈夫约瑟在天使的提醒下，带着为婴孩的主去往埃及(马太福音2:14, 15)，应验了以下预言：
以色列还是幼童的时候，我已经爱他，从埃及召我的儿子出来。(何西阿书11:1)
诗篇：
你从埃及挪出一棵葡萄树，把这树栽上，使它深深扎根。(诗篇80:8, 9)
因为人生来是属世的，然后变得理性，后来变得属灵，因此从埃及挪出的葡萄树被栽上，并扎根。为了这种代表，亚伯拉罕前往埃及(创世记12:10等)。雅各被吩咐与他的儿子们一同往埃及去，也住在那里(创世记第46章等)。因此，表示教会的“迦南地”被描述为甚至延伸到“埃及河”(创世记15:18; 列王纪上4:21; 弥迦书7:12)。“埃及”被比作“伊甸园”和“神的园子”(以西结书31:2, 8，创世记13:10)。属世人的知识或科学被称为“埃及的宝物”(但以理书11:43)，和“埃及的绣花细麻布”(以西结书27:7)。此外还有其它经文，那里提到了有利意义上的“埃及”，或说肯定性地提到“埃及”(如以赛亚书27:12, 13; 以西结书29:13-16; 31:1-8; 何西阿书11:11; 撒迦利亚书10:10, 11; 14:16-18; 诗篇68:31, 32; 列王纪下19:23, 24)。
但在以下经文中，“埃及”在反面意义上表示与属灵人分离的属世人，那时自我聪明的骄傲，和随之而来的在属灵事物上的疯狂；以西结书：
因法老的心以其高大而被高举，把他的顶端置于密枝当中，外邦人必将他砍断抛弃。你下地狱的那日，我使深渊遮盖他，你要在未受割礼的人中间。(以西结书31:10-18)
又：
埃及的根基必被倾覆；因他力量的骄傲必下降；她的城邑必在荒凉的城中间被毁坏。我在埃及点火，将埃及分散到列族，把他们散布在各地。(以西结书30:1至末尾)
以赛亚书
那些下埃及求帮助，却不仰望以色列的圣者的，有祸了；因为埃及是人，并不是神；它的马匹是血肉，并不是灵。(以赛亚书31:1, 3)
耶利米书：
埃及像江河涨起；它说，我要涨起，遮盖这地，我要毁灭；马匹啊，你们上去吧！战车啊，你们要疾行！剑必吞吃饱足，饮血满足；你不得医治。(耶利米书46:2, 8-11)
以赛亚书：
你们怎敢对法老说，我是智慧人的儿子，是古时君王的儿子呢？现在你的智慧人在哪里？让他们知道：琐安的首领变为愚昧；他们迷惑埃及；就是埃及支派的房角石；必没有为埃及可以造头和尾的任何工作。(以赛亚书19:1-17)
以西结书：
发预言攻击埃及：卧在自己河中间的大鲸鱼啊；因为他曾说，这河是我的，是我自己造的；因此，我必用钩子钩住你的腮颊，使你河中的鱼贴住你的鳞甲，我必把你抛在旷野；因此，埃及地必变为沙漠和荒场。(以西结书29:1-12)
此外还有其它地方(如以赛亚书30:1, 2, 7; 耶利米书2:17, 28, 36; 42:13-18; 以西结书16:26, 28-29; 23:2-33; 何西阿书7:11, 13, 16; 9:1, 3, 6; 11:5; 12:1; 约珥书3:19; 耶利米哀歌5:2, 4, 6, 8; 申命记17:16; 列王纪上14:25, 26; 列王纪下18:21)。
由于埃及人已经变成这样，所以就教会的一切良善和真理而言，他们已经荒凉。他们的荒凉以那里所行的神迹来表示，这些神迹就是灾殃，表示与属灵人分离的属世人如此多的欲望，这属世人出于自我聪明及其骄傲行事。表示属世人欲望的灾殃是这些：河水变作血，以至于鱼死了，河也发臭(出埃及记7章)；从河和池中产生的青蛙上到埃及地，地上的尘土变作虱子，成群的有毒苍蝇被打发来(出埃及记8章)；炉灰在人和牲畜身上成了起脓疱的疮，冰雹夹杂着火如雨般降下(出埃及记9章)；蝗虫被打发来，埃及全地一片幽暗(出埃及记10章)；埃及地所有头生的都死了(出埃及记11，12章)；最后，埃及人被淹死在红海中(出埃及记14章)，“红海”表示地狱。至于这些事物具体表示什么，可参看《属天的奥秘》，那里解释了它们。由此明显可知，“埃及的灾殃与病症”是什么意思(申命记7:15; 28:60)；“被埃及河淹没”是什么意思(阿摩司书8:8; 9:5)；埃及为何被称为“奴役之地”(弥迦书6:4)；也被称为“含地”(诗篇106:22)；又被称为“铁炉”(申命记4:20; 列王纪上8:51)。
“埃及”不仅表示在属灵事物上的聪明，还表示在属灵事物上的疯狂，这是因为广泛分布在亚洲许多国家的古教会也在埃及；那时埃及人在培养属灵事物与属世事物的对应学或对应的知识上胜过其他所有人，这一点从他们的象形文字明显看出来。然而，当他们把对应学，或对应的知识变成法术，变成偶像崇拜时，他们在属灵事物上的聪明就变成了疯狂。因此，“埃及”在反面意义上表示这种疯狂。由此可见，“按着灵意叫所多玛和埃及的大城”是什么意思。
503. We will now say what Egypt symbolizes in the Word: Egypt symbolizes the natural self joined to the spiritual self, and its affection for truth then and consequent knowledge and intelligence. And in an opposite sense it symbolizes the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, and its conceit in its own intelligence then and consequent irrationality in spiritual matters.
Egypt symbolizes the natural self joined to the spiritual self, and its affection for truth then and consequent knowledge and intelligence, in the following passages:
In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt... swearing an oath to Jehovah of Hosts... In that day there will be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt... Then Jehovah will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day... (Isaiah 19:18-21)
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, so that the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria - a blessing in the midst of the land, whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is My people Egypt, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance." (Isaiah 19:23-25)
Egypt there is the natural component, Assyria the rational one, and Israel the spiritual one. These three form a person of the church.
That is why the king of Egypt is called "the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings," and Egypt is called "the cornerstone of (the) tribes." (Isaiah 19:11, 13) And regarding Solomon we are told that his wisdom excelled the wisdom of the Egyptians (1 Kings 4:30). We are also told that he "took Pharaoh's daughter as a wife, and brought her into the city of David" (1 Kings 3:1), and that he "built a house for Pharaoh's daughter next to the porch" (1 Kings 7:8).
[2] For this reason Joseph was carried down into Egypt and there became the ruler of the whole land (Genesis 41).
Since Egypt symbolized the natural self in respect to its affection for truth and consequent knowledge and intelligence, therefore Joseph, the husband of Mary, having been warned by an angel, went with the infant Lord into Egypt (Matthew 2:14-15), in fulfillment of the prophecy,
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. (Hosea 11:1)
You caused a vine to come out of Egypt; You... planted it... and caused it to send forth its roots... (Psalms 80:8-9)
For a person is born natural, becomes rational, and later spiritual. Thus is a vine from Egypt planted and caused to take root.
For the sake of this representation, moreover, Abraham sojourned in Egypt (Genesis 12:10ff.). And Jacob was commanded to go with his sons into Egypt, and they also abode there (Genesis 46ff.).
So, too, the land of Canaan, which symbolizes the church, is described to extend "even to the river of Egypt" (Genesis 15:18, 1 Kings 4:21, Micah 7:12). And Egypt is compared to the Garden of Eden, the garden of God (Ezekiel 31:2, 8, Genesis 13:10).
The knowledge of the natural self is also called "the precious things of Egypt" (Daniel 11:43), and "fine embroidered linen from Egypt" (Ezekiel 27:7).
And so on elsewhere where Egypt is spoken of affirmatively, as in Isaiah 27:12-13.
[3] On the other hand, in an opposite sense Egypt symbolizes the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, and its conceit in its own intelligence then and consequent irrationality in spiritual matters, in the following places:
Because...(Pharaoh's) heart was lifted up in its height, and it set its top among the thick boughs..., aliens... will cut him off and cast him down... In the day when he went down to hell..., I covered the deep over him...(and) you shall lie in the midst of the uncircumcised... (Ezekiel 31:10-18)
...the foundations (of Egypt) shall be overthrown... ...the pride of her power shall come down... ...and shall be laid waste... her cities... in the midst of the desolate cities... I will set fire to Egypt..., and I will disperse Egypt among the nations, and scatter them throughout the lands. (Ezekiel 30:1ff.)
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help..., and do not look to the Holy One of Israel... For the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. (Isaiah 31:1, 3)
Egypt rises up like a flood... He says, "I will go up, I will cover the earth, (and) I will destroy... Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots! ...The sword shall devour (you), and be... made drunk with blood...; there is no healing for you. (Jeremiah 46:2, 8-11)
How do you say to Pharaoh, "I am the son of the wise, and the son of ancient kings?" Where are your wise men now? ...let them know... The princes of Zoan have become fools...; they have led Egypt astray..., the cornerstone of (the) tribes... Neither will there be any work for Egypt, which may form the head or the tail... (Isaiah 19:1-17)
...prophesy against... Egypt..., O great whale who lie in the midst of your rivers. Because he said, "My river, and I have made myself," (therefore) I will put hooks in your jaws, and cause the fish of your rivers to stick to your scales... And I will leave you in the wilderness... Therefore... the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste. (Ezekiel 29:1-12)
And so on elsewhere, as in Isaiah 30:1, 2, 7; 2 Kings 18:21.
[4] Since the Egyptians became of such a character, therefore they were rendered desolate as regards all the goods and truths of the church. Their desolations are described by the miracles done there, which were plagues, and these symbolized the many lusts of the natural self divorced from the spiritual self, a natural self which acts only in accordance with its own intelligence and its conceit. The plagues symbolic of its lusts were these:
That the water in the river turned to blood so that the fish died and the river stank. (Exodus 7)
That the streams and ponds brought forth frogs upon the land of Egypt. That the dust of the ground turned into lice. That a swarm of noxious flying insects was sent. (Exodus 8)
[That a pestilence occurred so that the livestock of Egypt died.] That sores were caused to break out with pustules on man and beast. That a downpour of hail mixed with fire rained down. (Exodus 9)
That locusts were sent. That darkness occurred through all the land of Egypt. (Exodus 10).
That all the firstborn in the land of Egypt died. (Exodus 11,12)
And finally, that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14), which symbolizes hell.
To find what all these things symbolize specifically, see Arcana Coelestia (The Secrets of Heaven), published in London, where they are explained.
It is apparent from this what is symbolically meant by the plagues and diseases of Egypt in Deuteronomy 7:15; 28:60; what is symbolically meant by drowning in the river of Egypt in Amos 8:8; 9:5; and why it is that Egypt is called a land of bondage in Micah 6:4, the land of Ham in Psalms 106:22, and an iron furnace in Deuteronomy 4:20, 1 Kings 8:51.
[5] The reason Egypt symbolizes both intelligence and irrationality in spiritual matters was that the Ancient Church, which extended through many kingdoms in Asia, existed also in Egypt, and at that time the Egyptians, more than any others, cultivated a study of the correspondences between spiritual and natural things, as is apparent from the hieroglyphs there. But when that study among them was turned into magic and became idolatrous, then their intelligence in spiritual matters became irrational. Egypt symbolizes this, therefore, in an opposite sense.
It can be seen from this what the great city means, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt.
503. What EGYPT signifies in the Word shall now be stated. 'Egypt' signifies the natural man when conjoined to the spiritual, and the affection of truth then, and the consequent knowledge and intelligence; and in the opposite sense it signifies the natural man when separated from the spiritual, and the pride of self-intelligence then, and the consequent insanity in spiritual things. 'Egypt' signifies the natural man when conjoined to the spiritual, and the affection of truth then, and the consequent knowledge and intelligence, in the following passages:
In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt, swearing to Jehovah Zebaoth. In that day there shall be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt; then shall Jehovah become known to Egypt. and the Egyptians shall recognise Jehovah in that day. Isaiah 19:18-21.
In that day there shall be a path out of Egypt into Asshur, that Asshur may come into Egypt, and Egypt into Asshur, and the Egyptians may serve with Asshur. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and Asshur, a blessing in the midst of the land; whom Jehovah Zebaoth shall bless saying, Blessed be Egypt My people, and Asshur the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance. Isaiah 19:23-25.
'Egypt' there is the natural, Asshur' is the rational and 'Israel' is the spiritual. These three make the man of the Church. Consequently:
The king of Egypt was said to be the son of the wise, the son of the kings of antiquity; while Egypt was said to be the cornerstone of the tribes, Isaiah 19:2-13.
And of Solomon it is said that:
His wisdom excelled the wisdom of the Egyptians, 1 Kings 4:30 [H.B. 1 Kings 5:10].
And that he took Pharaoh's daughter to wife, and brought her into the city of David, 1 Kings 3:1.
And that he built Pharaoh's daughter a house near the porch, 1 Kings 7:8.
[2] For the same reason also:
Joseph was carried down into Egypt, and was there made the governor of the whole land, Genesis 41.
Since 'Egypt' signifies the natural man as to the affection of truth, and the consequent knowledge and intelligence, therefore:
Joseph the husband of Mary, in consequence of the angel's warning, departed into Egypt with the infant Lord. Matthew 2:14-15,in accordance with the prediction:
When Israel was a boy, then I loved him, and I called My Son out of Egypt, Hosea 11:1.
Thou hast caused a vine to come forth out of Egypt, Thou hast planted it, and made its roots to take root. Psalms 80:8-9 [H.B. 9-10]; for a man is born natural, becomes rational, and afterwards spiritual, thus 'a vine out of Egypt' is 'planted' and 'takes root.' For the sake of this representation:
Abraham also travelled into Egypt, Genesis 12 in seq.
And Jacob with his sons was commanded to go into Egypt, and he also stayed there, Genesis 46 seq.
In consequence of this also the land of Canaan, by which the Church is signified, is described as to its extent:
As far as to the river of Egypt. Genesis 15:18; 1 Kings 4:21 [H.B. 1 Kings 5:1]; Micah 7:12.
And Egypt is likened to:
The garden of Eden, the garden of God. Ezekiel 31:2, 8; Genesis 13:10; while the knowledges of the natural man are called:
The desirable things of Egypt. Daniel 11:43.
And fine linen in embroidery out of Egypt. Ezekiel 27:7; besides elsewhere concerning 'Egypt' in a favourable sense, as Isaiah 27:12-13; Ezekiel 29:13-16; 31:1-8; Hosea 11:11; Zechariah 10:10-11; 14:16-18; Psalms 68:31-32 [H.B. 32-33]; 2 Kings 19:23-24. 1
[3] In the opposite sense, however, 'Egypt' signifies the natural man when separated from the spiritual, and the pride of self-intelligence then, and the consequent insanity in spiritual things, in the following places:
Because the heart of Pharaoh has been lifted up in his height, and has put his top among the intertwined [boughs], strangers shall cut him off, and cast him down. In the day in which he is going to descend into hell, I will cover the deep over him, and he shall lie down in the midst of the uncircumcised. Ezekiel 31:10-18.
The foundations of Egypt shall be overthrown; the pride of her strength shall come down, and her cities shall be devastated in the midst of the desolate cities. I will give fire in Egypt, and I will scatter Egypt among the nations, and disperse them into the lands Ezekiel 30 to the end.
Woe to those going down into Egypt for help, and they look not to the Holy One of Israel; for Egypt is man and not god, and the horses thereof are flesh and not spirit. Isaiah 31:1, 3.
Egypt rises up like a river, she says, I will rise up, I will cover the land, and I will destroy: rise up, O horses; rage, O chariots; the sword shall devour you, and shall be drunk with blood; there is no healing with thee. Jeremiah 46:2, 8-11.
How say you unto Pharaoh, I am a son of the wise, and a son of the kings of antiquity? Where now are thy wise men? let them recognise: the princes of Zoan have become foolish, they have seduced Egypt, the corner-stone of the tribes. For Egypt there shall be no work, that may make the head and the tail. Isaiah 19:1-17.
Prophesy against Egypt: O great whale, that liest in the midst of thy rivers; because he has said, The river is mine, and I have made myself; therefore will I put hooks in thy jaws, and I will make the fish of the rivers to stick to thy scales, and I will abandon thee in the wilderness: and therefore shall the land of Egypt be made a desert and a waste. Ezekiel 29:1-12; besides elsewhere, as Isaiah 30:6-7; Jeremiah 2:17-18, 36; 42:13-18; Ezekiel 16:26, 28-29; 23:2-33; Hosea 7:11, 13, 16; 9:1, 3, 6; 11:5; 12:1 [H.B. 2]; Joel 3:19 [H.B 4:19]; Lamentations 5:2, 4, 6, 8; Deuteronomy 17:16; 1 Kings 14:25-26; 2 Kings 18:21.
[4] Because the Egyptians had become such, they were therefore devastated as to all the goods and truths of the Church. Their devastations are described by means of the miracles done there, which were plagues, and signified so many lusts of the natural man separated from the spiritual, and this acts solely out of self-intelligence and the pride thereof. The plagues significative of its lusts were:
That the waters in the river were turned into blood, so that the fish should die, and the river stink Exodus 7.
That frogs were produced out of the rivers and pools upon the land of Egypt. That the dust of the land was turned into lice. That a filthy swarm of noxious flies was sent, Exodus 8.
That a sore breaking forth with blisters was produced upon man and beast. That rain of hail mixed with fire rained down, Exodus 9.
That the locust was sent. That it became dark in all the land of Egypt, Exodus 10.
That all the firstborn in the land of Egypt died, Exodus 12.
And finally, that the Egyptians were submerged in the Red Sea (in Mari Suph) Exodus 14.
By the Red Sea is signified hell. What is specifically signified by all these things may be seen in ARCANA CAELESTIA published at London, where they have been expounded. From this it is plain what is signified by 'the plagues and diseases of Egypt' (Deuteronomy 7:15; 28:60); what by 'to be submerged by the river of Egypt' (Amos 8:8; 9:5); and whence it is that Egypt is called 'the land of servitude' (Micah 6:4), 'the land of Ham' (Psalms 106:22), also 'the furnace of iron' (Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Kings 8:51).
[5] 'Egypt' signifies not only intelligence but also insanity in spiritual things. This was because the Ancient Church, which had been widespread in many of the kingdoms of Asia, was also in Egypt, and at that time the Egyptians excelled others in cultivating the knowledge of the correspondences between spiritual and natural things, as is plain by reason of the hieroglyphics there. When, however, with them that knowledge was turned into magic and became idolatrous, then their intelligence in spiritual things became insanity. Consequently 'Egypt' signifies this in the opposite sense. From these things it can be seen what is understood by 'the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt.'
Footnotes:
1. AV has 'rivers of besieged places,' but Apocalypse Explained 654[14], following Schmidius, has 'rivers of Egypt.
503. It shall now be said what is signified by "Egypt" in the Word. "Egypt" signifies the natural man in conjunction with the spiritual, and thus the affection of truth and thence science and intelligence; but, in the opposite sense, it signifies the natural man separated from the spiritual, and then the pride of one's own intelligence, and thence insanity in spiritual things. "Egypt" signifies the natural man in conjunction with the spiritual, and then the affection of truth, and thence science and intelligence, in the following passages:
In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt swear to Jehovah of Hosts. In that day shall there be an altar to Jehovah in the midst of the land of Egypt; then shall Jehovah be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know Jehovah in that day, (Isaiah 19:18-21).
In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt into Assyria, that Assyria may come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians may serve with Assyria. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the land; whom Jehovah of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance, (Isaiah 19:23-25).
Egypt there is the natural, Assyria is the rational, and Israel is the spiritual; these three make the man of the church. Hence the king of Egypt was called "the son of the wise," "the son of the kings of antiquity;" and Egypt was called "the cornerstone of the tribes" (Isaiah 19:11, 13); and it is said of Solomon that:
His wisdom excelled the wisdom of the Egyptians, (1 Kings 4:30). And that he took pharaoh's daughter to wife, and brought her into the city of David, (1 Kings 3:1).
And that he built Pharaoh's daughter a house near the porch, (1 Kings 7:8).
[2] For the same reason also:
Joseph was carried into Egypt, and was there made the ruler over all the land, (Genesis 41:37-57).
Since "Egypt" signified the natural man as to the affection of truth and thence science and intelligence, therefore:
Joseph, the husband of Mary, being warned of an angel, departed into Egypt with the infant Lord, (Matthew 2:14-15).
According to the prediction:
When Israel was a boy then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt, (Hosea 11:1).
Thou hast caused a vine to come out of Egypt, Thou hast planted it, and didst cause it to take deep root, (Psalms 80:8-9).
For man is born natural, becomes rational, and afterwards spiritual, thus the vine out of Egypt is planted and takes root. For the sake of this representation also:
Abraham journeyed into Egypt, (Genesis 12:10, a nd following verses).
And Jacob was commanded to go with his sons into Egypt, and also abode there (Genesis 46 and following chapters).
Thence, also, the land of Canaan, by which the church is signified, is described as to its extent:
As far as the river of Egypt, (Genesis 15:18; 1 Kings 4:21; Micah 7:12).
And Egypt is compared:
To the garden of Eden, the garden of God, (Ezekiel 31:2, 8; Genesis 13:10).
And the sciences of the natural man are called:
The desirable things of Egypt, (Daniel 11:43).
And fine linen in needlework from Egypt, (Ezekiel 27:7; besides other passages, where Egypt is favorably spoken of as in Isaiah 27:12-13; Ezekiel 29:13-16; 31:1-18; Hosea 11:11; Zechariah 10:10-11; 14:16-18; Psalms 68:31-32; Isaiah 19:23-24).
[3] But "Egypt" in the opposite sense signifies the natural man separated from the spiritual, and then the pride of his own intelligence, and thence insanity in spiritual things, in these passages:
Because the heart of Pharaoh is lifted up in his height, and he hath put his top among the thick boughs, strangers shall cut him off, and cast him down. In the day that thou shalt go down into hell, I will cover the deep over him, and thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, (Ezekiel 31:10, 18).
The foundations of Egypt shall be overturned; the pride of his strength shall come down; and his cities shall be devastated in the midst of the desolate cities. I will give fire in Egypt, and I will disperse Egypt among the nations, and scatter them in the lands, (Ezekiel 30).
Woe to them that go down into Egypt for help, and look not to the Holy One of Israel; for Egypt is man, and not God; and its horses are flesh and not spirit, (Isaiah 31:1, 3).
Egypt ascendeth as a river; it saith, I will ascend, I will cover the earth, and I will destroy: come up, ye horses; rage, ye chariots; the sword shall devour you, and shall be made drunk with blood; there is no healing to thee, (Jeremiah 46:2, 8-11).
How say ye to Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, and the son of the kings of antiquity? where now are thy wise men? let them know: the princes of Zoan have become foolish; they have seduced Egypt, the cornerstone of the tribes; there shall be no work for Egypt, that it may make the head and the tail, (Isaiah 19:1-17).
Prophesy against Egypt: O great whale, that liest in the midst of thy rivers; because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it myself; therefore I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will make the fish of thy rivers to stick to thy scales, and I will leave thee in the wilderness: and therefore shall the land of Egypt become a desert and a waste, (Ezekiel 29:1-12). Besides other places, as Isaiah 30:6-7; Jeremiah 2:17-18, 36; 42:13-18; Ezekiel 16:26, 28-29; 23:2-33; Hosea 7:11, 13, 16; 9:1, 3, 6; 11:5; 12:1; Joel 3:19; Lamentations 5:2, 4, 6, 8; Deuteronomy 17:16; 1 Kings 14:25-26; 2 Kings 18:21.
[4] Because the Egyptians had become such, therefore they were devastated as to all the goods and truths of the church. Their devastations are described by the miracles performed there, which were plagues, and signified so many lusts of the natural man separated from the spiritual, which acts solely from one's own intelligence and the pride thereof. The plagues significative of his lusts were that:
The waters in the river were turned into blood, insomuch that the fish died, and the river stank, (Exodus 7:17-18).
That from the rivers and pools frogs were produced over the land of Egypt; that the dust of the earth was turned into lice; that swarms of noxious flies were sent, (Exodus 8:3-4, 17-18).
That boils breaking forth with pustules were brought upon man and beast; that it rained hail mingled with fire, (Exodus 9:8-10).
That locusts were sent; that there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt, (Exodus 10:4-6, 13-15).
That all the first-born in the land of Egypt died, (Revelation 11:4-6).
And, finally, that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, (Exodus 14:28).
By these hell is signified. What these things specifically signify, may be seen in The Arcana Coelestia, where they are explained. Hence it is evident, what is meant by "the plagues and diseases of Egypt" (Deuteronomy 7:15; 28:60); what by "being drowned by the river of Egypt" (Amos 8:8; 9:5); and whence it is that Egypt is called "the land of bondage" (Micah 6:4); "the land of Ham" (Psalms 106:22); also "the iron furnace" (Deuteronomy 4:20; 1 Kings 8:51).
[5] The reason why "Egypt" signifies not only intelligence but also insanity in spiritual things, is because the Ancient Church, which extended through many kingdoms of Asia, was also in Egypt, at which time the Egyptians excelled all others in cultivating the science of correspondences between spiritual things and natural, as appears from their hieroglyphics. But when that science was turned by them into magic, and became idolatrous, then their intelligence in things spiritual became insanity; for which reason, "Egypt," in the opposite sense, signifies such insanity. From what has been said, it may now be seen, what is meant by "the great city which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt."
503. Quid "Aegyptus" in Verbo significat, dicetur. "Aegyptus" significat naturalem hominem conjunctum spirituali, et tunc affectionem veri, et inde scientiam et intelligentiam; ac in opposito sensu significat naturalem hominem separatum a spirituali, et tunc fastum propriae intelligentiae, et inde insaniam in spiritualibus. "Aegyptus" significat naturalem hominem conjunctum spirituali, et tunc affectionem veri, et inde scientiam et intelligentiam, in sequentibus locis:
"In dic illo erunt quinque urbes in Terra Aegypti, jurantes Jehovae Zebaoth. In die illo erit Altare Jehovae in medio Terrae Aegypti; tunc notus fiet Jehovah Aegypto, et cognoscent Aegyptii Jehovam in die illo," (Esaias 19:18-21); 1
"In die illo erit semita ex Aegypto in Aschurem, ut veniat Aschur in Aegyptum, et Aegyptus in Aschurem, serviantque Aegyptii cum Aschure: in die illo erit Israel trina Aegypto et Aschuri, benedictio in medio Terrae: cui benedicet Jehovah Zebaoth dicendo, Benedictus populus Meus Aegyptus, et Opus manuum Mearum Aschur, et haereditas Mea Israel," (Esaias 19:23-25);
Aegyptus ibi est naturale, Aschur est rationale, et Israel est spirituale; haec tria faciunt hominem Ecclesiae. Inde rex Aegypti dictus fuit "Filius sapientum," "Filius regum antiquitatis;" ac Aegyptus dicta "Lapis angularis tribuum," (Esaias 19:11, 3); et de Salomone dicitur,
Quod "sapientia ejus fuerit prae sapientia Aegyptiorum," (1 Regnum 5:10 (B.A. 4:30));
Et quod "acceperit filiam Pharaonis in uxorem, et adduxerit illam in urbem Davidis," (1 Regnum 3:1);
Et quod "aedificaverit filiae Pharaonis domum juxta porticum," (1 Regnum 7:8); propterea etiam Josephus delatus est in Aegyptum, et factus est totius terrae Dominator ibi, (Genesis 41).
Quoniam "Aegyptus" significabat naturalem hominem quoad affectionem veri, et inde scientiam et intelligentiam, ideo Josephus conjux Mariae ex monito Angelicum Domino infante abivit in Aegyptum, (Matthaeus 2:14-15); 2
secundum praedictionem,
"Cum puer Israel, tunc amavi illum, et ex Aegypto vocavi Filium Meum," (Hoschea 11:1);
"Vitem ex Aegypto proficisci fecisti, plantasti eam, et radicari fecisti radices ejus," (Psalm 80:9-10 (B.A. Psalm 80:8-9)); homo enim nascitur naturalis, fit rationalis, et postea spiritualis; ita vitis ex Aegypto plantatur et radicatur. Propter illam repraesentationem, etiam Abraham peregrinatus est in Aegypto, (Genesis 12:10 seq.);
Et Jacobus cum filiis suis jussus est abire in Aegyptum, et quoque ibi morati sunt, (Genesis 46, seq.).
Inde quoque Terra Canaan, per quam significatur Ecclesia, describitur quoad extensionem suam,
Usque ad fluvium Aegypti, (Genesis 15:18; 1 Regnum 5:1 (B.A. 4:21); Micham 7:12);
et Aegyptus aequiparatur Horto Eden, Horto Dei, (Ezechiel 30:2, 8; Genesis 13:10);
ac scientiae naturalis hominis vocantur Desiderabilia Aegypti, (Daniel 11:43);
Ac byssus in acupictura ex Aegypto, (Ezechiel 27:7). 3
(Praeter alibi de Aegypto bene, ut Esaias 27:12-13; Ezechiel 29:13-16; 31:1-8; Hoschea 11:11; Sacharias 10:10-11; 14:16-18; Psalm 68:32-33 4(B.A. 31-32); 2 Regnum 19:23-24).
"Aegyptus" autem in opposito sensu significat hominem naturalem separatum a spirituali, et tunc factum propriae intelligentiae, et inde insaniam in spiritualibus, in sequentibus locis:
"Quoniam elatum est cor Pharaonis in altitudine sua, et dedit fastigium inter implexa, exscindent eum alieni, et dejicient eum. In die quo descensurus es in Infernum, obtegam super eo abyssum, et in medio praeputiatorum cubabis," (Ezechiel 31:10-18);
"Evertentur fundamenta Aegypti; descendet superbia roboris ejus, et devastabuntur urbes ejus in medio urbium desolatarum: dabo ignem in Aegyptum, et dispergam Aegyptum inter gentes, et disjiciam eos in terras," (Ezechiel 30);
"Vae descendentibus in Aegyptum pro auxilio, et non respiciunt ad Sanctum Israelis; nam Aegyptus homo et non Deus, et equi ejus caro et non Spiritus," (Esaias 31:1, 3);
"Aegyptus sicut flumen ascendit; dicit, Ascendam, obtegam terram, et perdam: ascendite equi, insanite currus, comedet vos gladius, et inebriabitur sanguine; sanatio non tibi," (Jeremias 46:2, 8-11); 5
"Quomodo dicitis ad Pharaonem, Filius sapientum ego, et filius regum antiquitatis: ubi nunc sapientes tui, cognoscant; stulti facti sunt principes Zoanis; seduxerunt Aegyptum, angularem lapidem tribuum; non erit Aegypto opus, quod faciat caput et caudam," (Esaias 19:1-17);
"Propheta contra Aegyptum; Balaena magna, quae cubas in medio fluviorum tuorum; quia dixit, Meus fluvius, et ego feci me; ideo dabo hamos in maxillas tuas; et adhaerere faciam piscem fluviorum tuorum squamis tuis, et derelinquam te in deserto: et ideo fiet terra Aegypti solitudo et vastitas," (Ezechiel 29:1-12).
(Praeter alibi, ut Esaias 30:2, 7; 6Jeremias 2:17-18, 36; 42:8; Ezechiel 16:26, 28-29; 23:2-33; Hoschea 7:11, 13, 16; 9:1, 3, 6; 11:5; 12:2 (B.A. 1); Joel 4:19 (B.A. 3:19); Threni 5:2, 4, 6, 8; Deuteronomius 17:16; 1 Regnum 14:25-26; 2 Regnum 18:21).
Quoniam Aegyptii tales facti sunt, ideo quoad omnia bona et vera Ecclesiae devastati sunt. Devastationes illorum describuntur per miracula ibi facta, quae erant plagae, et significabant totidem cupiditates naturalis hominis separati a spirituali, qui unice agit ex propria intelligentia et ejus fastu. Plagae significativae ejus cupiditatum fuerunt,
Quod aquae in flumine conversae sint in sanguinem, ita ut moreretur piscis, et feteret flumen, (Exodus 7);
Quod ex fluviis et stagnis productae sint ranae super Terram Aegypti; quod pulvis terrae versus sit in pediculos; quod colluvies volatilium noxiorum immissa sit, (Exodus 8);
Quod ulcus efflorescens pustulis factum sit super hominem et bestiam; quod pluvia grandinis mixta igne depluerit, (Exodus 9);
Quod locusta immissa sit; quod caligo facta sit in omni terra Aegypti, (Exodus 10);
Quod omnia primogenita in terra Aegypti mortua sint, (Exodus 12); 7
Et demum, quod Aegyptii submersi sint in Mari Suph, (Exodus 14),
per quod significatur Infernum. Quid per haec omnia in specie significatur, videatur in Arcanis Caelestibus Londini editis, ubi explicata sunt. Inde patet, quid significatur per "Plagas et Morbos Aegypti," (Deuteronomius 7:15; 28:60);
quid per "Submergi flumine Aegypti," (Amos 8:8; 9:5); 8
et unde est, quod Aegyptus dicatur "Terra servitutis," (Micham 6:4);
"Terra Chami," (Psalm 106:22); 9
Tum "Fornax ferri," (Deuteronomius 4:20; 1 Regnum 8:51). 10
Causa, quod "Aegyptus" significet tam intelligentiam quam insaniam in spiritualibus, erat, quia Ecclesia Antiqua, quae in plura regna Asiae extensa fuerat, etiam in Aegypto fuit, et tunc Aegyptii prae caeteris scientiam correspondentiarum inter spiritualia et naturalia excoluerunt, ut patet ex hieroglyphicis ibi; at vero cum apud illos scientia illa versa est in magicam, et facta idololatrica, tunc intelligentia illorum in spiritualibus facta est insania; inde "Aegyptus" hanc in opposito sensu significat. Ex his videri potest, quid intelligitur per "urbem magnam, quae spiritualiter vocatur Sodoma et Aegyptus."
Footnotes:
1. 18-21 pro "17 ad 21"
2. ii. pro "i."
3. xxvii. pro "xxvi."
4. lxviii. pro "xlviii."
5. 8-11 pro "7, 8, 9"
6. 2, 7 pro "1, 7"
7. xii. pro "xi."
8. 5 pro "15"
9. 106:22 pro "126:23"
10. 51 pro "5"