Spiritual Meaning of EXODUS 12:40-42
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AC 7982. Verses 40-42. And the dwelling of the sons of Israel which they dwelt in Egypt, was thirty years and four hundred years. And it was at the end of thirty years and four hundred years, it was even in this same day, all the armies of Jehovah went forth from the land of Egypt. A night of watches is this to Jehovah, for leading them forth from the land of Egypt; this is that night of watches to Jehovah for all the sons of Israel unto their generations. "And the dwelling of the sons of Israel which they dwelt in Egypt," signifies the duration of the infestations; "was thirty years and four hundred years," signifies the quality and state of these; "and it was at the end of thirty years and four hundred years," signifies the time of the Lord‘s coming, when they were liberated; "it was in this same day," signifies that it was then; "all the armies of Jehovah went forth from the land of Egypt," signifies that those who were in truth and good and were still detained there, were taken out; "a night of watches is this to Jehovah," signifies the Lord’s presence with those who were in truth and good, and with those who were in evil and thence in mere falsity; "for leading them forth from the land of Egypt," signifies liberation from spiritual captivity; "this is that night of watches to Jehovah," signifies that now they were withheld from all falsity and evil; "for all the sons of Israel unto their generations," signifies those of the spiritual church with whom there is good from truth, and truth from good.

AC 7983. And the dwelling of the sons of Israel which they dwelt in Egypt. That this signifies the duration of the infestations, is evident from the signification of "dwelling," as being a state of life (n. 1293, 3384, 3613, 4451, 6051); here a state of infestations, for this is the state of life now treated of, and which is signified by the number "thirty and four hundred years," to which the words have reference.

AC 7984. Was thirty years and four hundred years. That this signifies the quality and state of these, is evident from the signification of "thirty," as being a full state of remains, for this number is the product of three and ten multiplied together, and by "three" is signified a full state (n. 2788, 4495, 7715), and by "ten," remains (n. 576, 1906, 2284), what a full state is shall be told presently; and from the signification of "four hundred," as being the duration of vastation (n. 2959, 2966), and the consequent conjunction of good and truth (n. 4341). All numbers signify things and states, and a compound number has a similar signification to that of the simple numbers of which it is compounded, (n. 7973).

[2] As regards the vastation which is signified by "four hundred years," it is twofold, namely, the vastation of evil and falsity, and the vastation of good and truth. With those who are being damned it is the vastation of good and truth; but with those who are saved, it is the vastation of evil and falsity. Vastation is deprivation. That the evil who had been of the church were vastated as to all good and truth, has already been shown; for the successive degrees of vastation were signified by the plagues in Egypt. But the good are vastated as to evil and falsity; with them these are successively separated, that is, rejected to the sides, and goods and truth are brought together toward the midst. This collecting together of good and truth is meant by "remains;" and when they have a full state of remains, they are then raised into heaven. This state is that which is signified by "thirty," and the vastation by "four hundred." The vastation of evil and falsity, and the insinuation of good and truth, with the good, are effected by means of infestations, and by means of temptations. By the one, falsities and evils are removed; and by the other, goods and truths, are put on; and this even until the state becomes full.

[3] It must also be told briefly what a full state is. Everyone, whether damned or saved, has a certain measure which is capable of being filled. The evil, or they who are damned, have a certain measure of evil and falsity; and the good, or they who are saved, have a certain measure of good and truth. In the other life this measure is filled with everyone; but some have a greater measure, some a less. This measure is acquired in the world by means of the affections which are of the love. The more anyone has loved evil and the derivative falsity, the greater is the measure he has gained for himself; and the more anyone has loved good and the derivative truth, the greater is his measure. The limits and degrees of the extensions of this measure are clearly seen in the other life, and cannot there be surmounted, but they can be filled, and also actually are filled, namely, with goods and truths in the case of those who have been in the affection of good and truth, and with evils and falsities in the case of those who have been in the affection of evil and falsity. Hence it is evident that this measure is the faculty gained in the world for receiving either evil and falsity, or good and truth.

[4] This state is what is meant by a "full state," and is signified by "thirty." It is described by the Lord in the parables of the talents in (Matt. 25:14-30), and of the pounds in (Luke 19:12-27), and finally in these words:--

That everyone‘s measure is filled, the Lord also teaches in another place in Luke:--

From all this it is now evident what is meant by a full state.

AC 7985. It is said that "the dwelling of the sons of Israel which they dwelt in Egypt was thirty years and four hundred years," and further that "at the end of the thirty years and four hundred years, in this same day, all the armies of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt," when yet the dwelling of the sons of Israel, from the going down of Jacob into Egypt, to the going out of his descendants at this time, was not more than half the time, namely, two hundred and fifteen years, as is very manifest from the chronology of the Holy Scripture. For Moses was born of Amram, Amram of Kohath, and Kohath of Levi; and Kohath together with his father Levi came into Egypt (Gen. 46:11). The age of the life of Kohath was 133 years (Exod. 6:18), and the age of the life of Amram, from whom were Aaron and Moses, was 137 years (Exod. 6:20), and Moses was a man of 80 years when he stood before Pharaoh (Exod. 7:7). It is not mentioned in what year of the age of Kohath Amram was born, nor in what year of the age of Amram Moses was born; but it can be seen that there were not 430 years, for even the years of their ages do not amount to 430, but only to 350, as appears from adding the years of the age of Kohath, 133, to the years of the age of Amram, 137, and these to the 80 years of Moses when he stood before Pharaoh: still less if the years from their births be added together. That they were 215 years can be seen from the chronology. But from the going down of Abraham into Egypt to the going out of the sons of Israel, there were 430 years, as can also be seen from the chronology. From this then it is evident that by "four hundred and thirty years" is here meant the entire period of time from Abraham, and not from Jacob. That these years were designated, and were called "the years of the dwelling of the sons of Israel in Egypt," is on account of the internal sense, in which by these years is signified a full state, and the duration of the vastation of those who had been of the spiritual church, and were detained in the lower earth until the coming of the Lord, and were then liberated (n. 6854, 6914, 7035, 7091, 7828, 7932a).

AC 7986. And it came to pass at the end of thirty years and four hundred years. That this signifies the time of the Lord’s coming, when they were saved, is evident from the signification of "thirty and four hundred years," as being a full state, and the duration of the vastation or infestation of those who were of the spiritual church and were detained in the lower earth until the coming of the Lord, and were then liberated (n. 7985, 6854, 6914, 7035, 7091, 7828, 7932a). Consequently "at the end of these years" signifies the time of the Lord‘s coming when they were saved.

AC 7987. And it was in this same day. That this signifies that it was then, is evident from the signification of "day," as being state (n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 5672, 5962, 7680); consequently "in this same day" denotes in that state, thus then, namely, when was the coming of the Lord, which is signified by "at the end of thirty and four hundred years," and the liberation of those who were of the spiritual church, which is signified by "all the armies of Jehovah went forth from the land of Egypt."

AC 7988. That all the armies of Jehovah went forth from the land of Egypt. That this signifies that they who were in truth and good and were still detained there, were taken out, is evident from the signification of "going forth from the land of Egypt," as being to be taken out and liberated from infestations (that "to go forth" denotes to be taken out, is evident; and also that "the land of Egypt" denotes infestations, (n. 7278); and from the signification of "the armies of Jehovah," as being the truths and goods of the spiritual church, thus those who are in truth and good (n. 3448, 7236). That truths and goods are "the armies of Jehovah," is evident in Daniel:--

it is here clearly evident that "armies" denote truths and goods; for it is said that it "cast down to the earth some of the army and of the stars," and afterward that it "cast forth truth into the earth," and that "the army was to be trampled on until the evening and the morning," that is, until the coming of the Lord.

[2] As truths and goods are the "armies of Jehovah," therefore the angels are called His "armies" in these passages:--

where the angels are called "armies" from the truths and goods in which they are. Nor were the angels only called "the armies of Jehovah," but also the luminaries of heaven, as the sun, moon, and stars, and this because by the "sun" was signified the good of love, by the "moon" the good of faith, and by the "stars" the knowledges of good and truth. That these luminaries are called "armies" is manifest in the book of Genesis:--

where by "army" are meant all the luminaries of heaven; but in the internal sense, in which is here described the new creation of man, are meant truths and goods.

[3] In like manner in David:--

The "sun" denotes the good of love; the "moon" the good of faith, (n. 1529, 1530, 2441, 2495, 4060, 4696, 5377, 7083); and the "stars" denote the knowledges of good and truth, (n. 1808, 2120, 2495, 2849, 4697).

[4] That the "sun, moon, and stars" signify goods and truths, is because in heaven the Lord is a sun to the celestial angels, and a moon to the spiritual angels (n. 1521 1529-1531, 3636, 3643, 4300, 4321, 5097, 7078, 7083, 7171, 7173), and because the angelic abodes shine like the stars, according to these words in Daniel:--

[5] As from truths and goods the angels are called "the armies of Jehovah," and so also the sun, moon, and stars; and as all truth and good proceed from the Lord; therefore in the Word the Lord is called "Jehovah Zebaoth," that is, "of armies" (n. 3448). He is so called also from the fact that He fights for man against the hells. From all this it can now be seen what is meant in the internal sense by "the armies of Jehovah." That the sons of Jacob, who went forth out of Egypt, were not these armies, but that they represented them, is evident from their life in Egypt, in that they did not know Jehovah, not even His name, until this was told to Moses out of the bramble (Exod. 3:13-16); and also that they, equally with the Egyptians, were worshipers of a calf, as may be concluded from the thirty-second chapter of Exodus, and also from their life in the wilderness, in that they were of such a character that they could not be introduced into the land of Canaan; thus were as far as possible from being the armies of Jehovah.

AC 7989. A night of watches is this to Jehovah. That this signifies the presence of the Lord with those who are in truth and good, and with those who are in evil and thence in mere falsity, is evident from the signification of "night," as being a state of damnation (n. 7851); and from the signification of the "watches to Jehovah," as being the presence of the Lord and thence protection; for by the presence of the Lord those are enlightened who are in good and thence in truth, and those are made blind who are in evil and thence in falsity; and also by the presence of the Lord those are brought out from damnation who are to be raised into heaven, for they are withheld from evil and are kept in good, and this by a strong force from the Lord; and by the presence of the Lord those also who are to be cast down into hell are brought into damnation, for according to the degree of the Lord’s presence they are in evil (n. 7926, 7643). Hence then it is that this state and this time are called "a night of watches to Jehovah." The presence of the Lord is described in what follows by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, to lead them (Exod. 13:21); and His presence both with those who were in good and truth, and with those who were in evil and falsity, is described by that pillar interposing itself between the camp of Israel and the camp of the Egyptians, and that when Jehovah looked forth from it to the camp of the Egyptians, the Egyptians were immersed in the sea Suph (Exod. 14:19, 20, 24-27).

AC 7990. For leading them forth from the land of Egypt. That this signifies liberation from spiritual captivity, is evident from the signification of "leading forth," as being to liberate; and from the signification of "the land of Egypt," as being where they were infested by the evil, thus where they were in spiritual captivity, according to what has been adduced (n. 6854, 6914, 7035, 7091, 7828, 7932a, 7985). They are said to be in spiritual captivity who as to their interiors are kept by the Lord in good and truth, but as to their exteriors are kept by hell in evil and falsity, whence there is a combat of the external man with the internal. In this state are those kept who are being infested; and then the Lord by influx through the interiors fights for them against the afflux of evil and falsity from the hells. They are then kept as it were captive, for through influx from the Lord they desire to be in good and truth, Out through the afflux from the hells they seem to themselves not to be able. This combat takes place to the end that the external man may be reduced to obedience to the internal, and thus natural things be made subordinate to spiritual things.

AC 7991. This is that night of watches to Jehovah. That this signifies that they were then withheld from all falsity and evil, is evident from what was said just above (n. 7989) concerning the "night of watches to Jehovah."

AC 7992. For all the sons of Israel unto their generations. That this signifies those of the spiritual church with whom there is good from truth, and truth from good, is evident from the representation of the sons of Israel, as being those who are of the spiritual church; and from the signification of "generations," as being those things which are of faith and charity (n. 2020, 2584, 6239), thus those with whom there is good from truth and truth from good; for they who are of the spiritual church are introduced to the good which is of charity by means of the truth which is of faith, and when they have been introduced, they are led by good to truths. They who are led by good to truths are they who constitute the internal church; Out they who are introduced to good by means of truth are they who constitute the external church.

Author:  E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design:  I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.

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