503.现在有必要说一下在圣言中，“埃及”表示什么。“埃及”表示与属灵人结合的属世人，因而表示对真理的情感，以及由此而来的知识和聪明；但在反面意义上则表示脱离属灵人的属世人，然后对人自己聪明的骄傲，以及由此而来的在属灵之事上的疯狂。在以下经文中，“埃及”表示与属灵人结合的属世人，然后对真理的情感，以及由此而来的知识和聪明：
当那日，埃及地必有五城，指着万军之耶和华起誓。当那日，必有为耶和华在埃及地中间所筑的一座坛；到那时，耶和华必为埃及所认识，在那日，埃及人必认识耶和华。（以赛亚书19:18-21）
当那日，必有从埃及通亚述去的大道，亚述人要进入埃及，埃及人要进入亚述，埃及人要服侍亚述人。当那日，以色列必与埃及和亚述一起为三分之一，成为那地中间的祝福；万军之耶和华必赐福他们，说，我的百姓埃及，我手的作品亚述，我的产业以色列，都有福了。（以赛亚书19:23-25）
上述经文中的“埃及”是属世层，“亚述”是理性层，“以色列”是属灵层；这三者构成教会之人。因此，“埃及王”被称为“智慧人的子孙”（the son of the wise）、“古王的后裔”（the son of the kings of antiquity）；“埃及”被称为“众支派的房角石”（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，把她接进大卫成。（列王纪上3:1）
他在廊子附近为法老的女儿建造一宫。（列王纪上7:8）
由于同样的原因：
由于“埃及”表示属世人对真理的情感，和由此而来的知识和聪明，故：
马利亚的丈夫约瑟在天使的提醒下，带着婴孩时的主逃往埃及。（马太福音2:14，15）
这应验了预言：
以色列为孩提时，我就爱他，就从埃及召出我的儿子来。（何西阿书11:1）
你使一棵葡萄树自埃及而出，你把这树栽上，使它深深扎根。（诗篇80:8，9）
因为人出生时属世，又变得理性，然后变得属灵，因而自埃及而出的葡萄树被栽种并扎根。而且，为这种代表的缘故：
亚伯拉罕下埃及。（创世记12:10及以后数节）
雅各被吩咐随他的众子进埃及，他们还居住在那里（创世记第46章及以后内容）。
同理，表示教会的“迦南地”被描写为“直到埃及河”（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（或人的属世部分）的知识还被称为“埃及的宝物”（但以理书11:43），还称作“埃及的绣花细麻布”（以西结书27:7）。
还有很多地方“埃及”得到肯定的描述（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”在反面意义上表示脱离属灵人的属世人，然后对自己聪明的骄傲，以及由此而来的在属灵之事上的疯狂：
因法老的心以其高大而骄傲，树顶在茂密的枝叶之上，外邦人将它砍断弃掉。你下阴间的那日，我为它遮盖深渊，你要在未受割礼的人中间。（以西结书31:10-18）
埃及的基址必被拆毁；因势力而有的骄傲必下来；埃及城在荒废的城中也变为荒废。我在埃及点火，我必将埃及人分散在列邦，四散在各地。（以西结书30:1至末尾）
那些下埃及求帮助，却不仰望以色列的圣者的有祸了；因为埃及人是人，不是神；它的马是肉，不是灵。（以赛亚书31:1，3）
埃及像江河涨发；它说，我要涨发，淹满这地，我要毁灭；马匹上去吧！车辆急行吧！刀剑必吞吃你们，饮血饮足；你不得治好。（耶利米书46:2，8-11）
你们怎么对法老说，我是智慧人的子孙、是古王的后裔呢？你的智慧人如今在哪呢？让他们知道：琐安的领袖已变为愚昧；他们领埃及走错了路；众支派的房角石；无论是头或尾，都不能为埃及成就什么事。（以赛亚书19:1-17）
预言攻击埃及：躺在自己河中的大鲸鱼啊；因为他曾说，这河是我的，是我自己造的，所以我必用钩子钩住你的腮颊，使你河中的鱼贴住你的鳞甲，我要把你丟在旷野，埃及地必变得荒废凄凉。（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）。
因为埃及人已然如此，所以就教会的一切良善与真理而言，他们已荒凉。他们的荒凉以那里所行的神迹，也就是灾殃来描述，这些灾殃表示脱离属灵层的属世人如此众多的欲望，脱离属灵层的属世人唯独通过人自己的聪明及其骄傲行事。灾殃表示它的欲望，如：
河水变为血，以致鱼死河臭。（出埃及记7章）
河流池塘滋生青蛙并上到埃及地上；地上的尘土变成虱子；成群的有毒苍蝇被差出来。（出埃及记8章）
这灰在人身上和牲畜身上，成了起泡的疮；雹与火搀杂降下。（出埃及记9章）蝗虫被差出去；埃及全地黑暗。（出埃及记10章）
埃及地头生的全死了。（出埃及记11，12章）
最终，埃及人溺死在红海。（出埃及记14章）
“红海”表示地狱。至于这些事具有表示什么，可参看《天堂的奥秘》一书，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）；“埃及河涨起”是什么意思（阿摩司书8:8；9:5）；埃及为何被称为“为奴之地”（弥迦书6:4）；还被称为“含地”（诗篇106:22）；又称为“铁炉”（申命记4:20；列王纪上8:51）。
“埃及”不仅表示在属灵之事上的聪明，还表示在属灵之事上的疯狂；其原因在于：古教会延伸到亚细亚许多国家，甚至也在埃及；那时埃及人在研究属灵事物与属世事物的对应学上超过其他所有人，这一点从他们的象形文字明显看出来。然而，但当这门学问被他们变成巫术，进而变成偶像崇拜时，他们在属灵之事上的聪明就变为疯狂；由于这个原因，“埃及”在反面意义上表示这种疯狂。综上所述，可以看出按着灵意叫“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"