Spiritual Meaning of EXODUS 12:37-39
[2] That here "six hundred thousand" has a similar signification, is because a number greater or less, or multiplied, or divided, involves the like as the simple numbers from which it is derived (n. 5291, 5335, 5708). This is very clear from the number "twelve," which has a like signification whether divided into six, or multiplied to seventy-two, or to one hundred and forty-four--that is, twelve times twelve,--or to twelve thousand, or to one hundred and forty-four thousand, as the "one hundred and forty-four thousand" spoken of in John:--
I heard the number of the sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel, out of each tribe twelve thousand (Rev. 7:4, 5);
here by the "sons of Israel" are not meant the sons of Israel, nor by "tribes" tribes, nor by "number" number, but such things as are in the internal sense, namely, all things of faith and charity, and thus by each tribe specifically one genus or one class, according to what has been unfolded in regard to the contents of the twenty-ninth and thirtieth chapters of Genesis.
[3] In like manner in the same:--
Behold the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with Him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having the name of His Father written upon their foreheads. They sang a new song before the throne, and no one could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand bought from the earth. These are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were bought from men, the firstfruits to God and the Lamb (Rev. 14:1, 3, 4).
From this description it is clear that they who are in charity are meant by "the hundred and forty and four thousand," and it is also clear that this number merely designates state and quality.
[4] For this number designates the like as "twelve," because it arises from "twelve thousand" and "twelve" multiplied together; in like manner as the lesser number "one hundred and forty-four," which is twelve times twelve, in the same:--
He measured the wall of the holy Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, a hundred and forty and four cubits, which is the measure of a man, that is, of an angel (Rev. 21:2, 17);
that in the spiritual sense the "wall of the holy Jerusalem" does not mean a wall, but the truth of faith defending the things of the church, (n. 6419); for which reason also it is said that it was "a hundred and forty and four cubits." That such is the meaning is very clear, for it is said that this measure is "the measure of a man, that is, of an angel," and by "man" and by "angel" is signified everything of the truth and good of faith.
[5] And the same is evident from the twelve precious stones of which was the foundation of the wall, and from the twelve gates, each of which was a pearl (Rev. 21:19-21), for by "precious stones" are signified the truths of faith which are from the good of charity (n. 643, 3720, 6426), as likewise by a "gate" and also by a "pearl." From this then it is evident that a lesser and a greater number involve the like as the simple number from which they come. That all numbers mentioned in the Word signify real things, see (n. 482, 487, 575, 647, 648, 755, 813, 1963, 1988, 2075, 2252, 3252, 4264, 4495, 4670, 5265, 6175).
[6] From all this it can now be seen that the number "six hundred thousand men" going forth out of Egypt has also such a signification. That this number signifies such things scarcely anyone can believe, for the reason that it is a matter of history, and everything historical keeps the mind continually in the external sense, and withdraws it from the internal sense. Nevertheless this number has such a signification, for there is not even a syllable, nor yet one jot or one point in the Word, which is not in itself holy, because it infolds in itself what is holy. Everyone sees that there is nothing holy in the mere historical fact.
. Besides babe. That this signifies the good of innocence, is evident from the signification of an "infant," as being the good of innocence (n. 430, 1616, 2126, 2305, 3183, 3494, 4797, 5608). . And a great mixed multitude also. That this signifies goods and truths which are not genuine, is evident from the signification of "a mixed multitude," as being goods and truths not genuine; for when by the sons of Israel are represented genuine goods and truths which are of the spiritual church (n. 7957), by "a mixed multitude" accompanying them are signified truths and goods not genuine. For with those who are of the spiritual church the case is this. They have genuine goods and truths, and they have goods and truths not genuine; for the man of the spiritual church has no perception of good and truth, but acknowledges and believes as good and truth that which the doctrinal things of his church teach. For this reason he is in very many truths not genuine, consequently also in like goods, for goods have their quality from truths. That the spiritual are in very many truths not genuine, see (n. 2708, 2715, 2718, 2831, 2849, 2935, 2937, 3240, 3241, 3246, 3833, 4402, 4788, 5113, 6289, 6500, 6639, 6865, 6945, 7233); and that consequently they have truths not pure (n. 6427). But still they are kept by the Lord in goods in the highest degree genuine, which is effected by means of an influx through the interiors (n. 6499), and then the truths and goods not genuine are separated thence and rejected to the sides. These are the things which are signified by "a very great mixed multitude."[2] In like manner by this "multitude" are signified they who are of the church, but not within it, as is the case with the Gentiles who live together in obedience and mutual charity and have not genuine truths, because they have not the Word. These likewise, and also the truths themselves not genuine, are signified by the "great multitude" in John:--
I heard the number of the sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of Israel; after these things I saw, and behold a great multitude, which no one could number, out of every nation, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and palms in their hands (Rev. 7:4, 9).
[2] The like was signified by the "twelve loaves of setting forth," which also were baked into cakes, concerning which in Moses:--
Thou shalt take fine flour, and bake it into twelve cakes; of two tenth parts shall one cake be. And thou shalt set them in two rows, six in a row, upon the clean table before Jehovah. And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, and it shall be for the loaves as a memorial, a fire-offering to Jehovah (Lev. 24:5-7).
From all this it can be seen that the loaves signified what is holy, for otherwise such a thing would never have been commanded; and as they signified what is holy, they are also called "holiness of holinesses (Lev. 24:9). But by these loaves was signified the good of celestial love; and by their being baked into cakes were signified the goods of spiritual love. From all this, and from what has been adduced in the passages above quoted, it can be seen that the like is meant by the "bread" in the Holy Supper.
. For it had not been leavened. That this signifies because in truth from good there was nothing of falsity, is evident from the signification of the "dough," of which it is said that it "had not been leavened," as being the truth of good (n. 7966) and from the signification of "not leavened," as being without falsity (n. 2342, 7906). . Because they were driven out of the land of Egypt, and could not tarry. That this signifies because they were removed from those who were in falsity from evil, is evident from the signification of "to be driven out," as being to be removed, for he who is driven out is removed (n. 7964); from the signification of "Egypt," as being those who are in falsity from evil; and from the signification of "could not tarry," as being necessity for removal. . And moreover they had not prepared for themselves any provision for the journey. That this signifies that they had with them no other sustenance from truth and good, namely, than that signified by the "dough not leavened". "Dough not leavened" denotes truth of good in which is nothing of falsity, (n. 7966). The signification of "provisions for the journey," is sustenance from truth and good (n. 5490, 5953). EXODUS 12:37-39 previous - next - text - summary - Exodus - Full Page
| Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772). | Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002. | www.BibleMeanings.info |