Spiritual Meaning of EXODUS 9:22-26
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AC 7566. Verses 22-26. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Stretch forth thy hand toward heaven, and there shall be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field in the land of Egypt. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven; and Jehovah gave voices and hail, and the fire walked unto the land, and Jehovah made it rain hail upon the land of Egypt. And there was hail, and fire walking at the same time in the midst of the hail, very grievous, such as had not been like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail smote in all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, from man and even to beast, and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, was there no hail. "And Jehovah said unto Moses," signifies a command; "Stretch forth thy hand toward heaven," signifies attention, and the approach of heaven; "and there shall be hail in all the land of Egypt," signifies destroying falsity in the natural mind; "upon man, and upon beast," signifies interior and exterior good; "and upon every herb of the field in the land of Egypt," signifies every truth of the church in the natural mind; "and Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven," signifies communication with heaven; "and Jehovah gave voices," signifies the withdrawal and separation of the communication with those who are in good and truth; "and hail," signifies falsities destroying these goods and truths; "and the fire walked unto the land," signifies the evils of cupidities; "and Jehovah made it rain hail upon the land of Egypt," signifies the natural mind taken possession of by the falsities of evil; "and there was hail, and fire walking at the same time in the midst of the hail, very grievous," signifies the persuasions of falsity together with the cupidities of evil; "such as has not been like it in all the land of Egypt," signifies that no others had such a state of the natural mind; "since it became a nation," signifies from the day in which it was made capable of admitting good and the derivative truth; "and the hail smote in all the land of Egypt," signifies that this falsity destroyed the things that were in the natural mind; "all that was in the field," signifies whatever was of the church; "from man and even to beast," signifies its interior and exterior good; "and the hail smote every herb of the field," signifies that these falsities destroyed every truth of the church; "and brake every tree of the field," signifies that they also destroyed all the knowledges of truth and good of the church; "only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, was there no hail," signifies that it was not so where those were who were of the spiritual church.

AC 7567. And Jehovah said unto Moses. That this signifies a command, is evident from the signification of "saying," as being a command (n. 7036, 7107, 7310).

AC 7568. Stretch forth thy hand toward heaven. That this signifies attention, and the approach of heaven, is evident from the signification of "stretching forth the hand," as being to cause to pay attention, for by the stretching forth of the hand, something has the attention directed to it and is shown:--and from the signification of "heaven," as being the angelic heaven; and as when anyone has his attention directed to heaven, and it is shown to him, he also directs his sight and thought thither, from this there is also signified approach, for all approach in the spiritual world is effected by the determination of the thought. How the case herein is has indeed been told above (n. 7519), but as these things are such as have been unknown in the world, they may be illustrated a little further. When any change of state is to be effected with the evil who are to be vastated, as with those described in these chapters, this change is effected by a more present influx of good and truth from heaven, because the nearer heaven comes to them, the more the interior evils and falsities with them are excited; for good and truth from heaven penetrate toward the interiors, and the more deeply they penetrate the nearer they come. Hence it is that the infernals dare not come near any heavenly society, but withdraw as far as they can (n. 4225, 4226, 4299, 4533, 4674, 5057, 5058, 7519). From all this it is now evident what is meant by the attention, and the approach of heaven, which are signified by "Moses stretching forth his hand toward heaven;" for a new state is now described, namely, the state of falsities from evils destroying all the goods and truths of the church with those who infest; and as this state arises through a more present influx of truth from the Divine, and at the same time through the approach of heaven, therefore it is said to Moses that he should "stretch forth his hand toward heaven."

AC 7569. And there shall be hail in all the land of Egypt. That this signifies destroying falsity in the natural mind, is evident from the signification of "hail," as being falsity from evils destroying, namely, every good and truth of the church (n. 7553); and from the signification of "the land of Egypt," as being the natural mind (n. 5276, 5278, 5280, 5288, 5301).

AC 7570. Upon man, and upon beast. That this signifies interior and exterior good, is evident from the signification of "man and beast," as being interior and exterior good (n. 7424, 7523, 7558).

AC 7571. And upon every herb of the field in the land of Egypt. That this signifies every truth of the church in the natural mind, is evident from the signification of "herb," as being truth; from the signification of "field," as being the church (n. 7557); and from the signification of "the land of Egypt," as being the natural mind (n. 7569). That "herb" signifies truth is because the "land" signifies the church, also a "field;" and hence all the produce from it signifies either the truth that is of faith, or the good that is of charity, for these are of the church. By the "herb of the field" is meant all in general that comes from the field, as is plain from the Lord‘s parable in Matthew:--

where "the herb" stands for the produce of the field. That by "the herb" is here signified the truth of the church, and by "tares" falsity, is evident; it is indeed a comparison, but all the comparisons in the Word are from significatives (n. 3579). In David:--

where also "herb" stands for the produce of the field, and by it in the internal sense is here signified truth

[2] In the same:--

"pastures of herb" denote the spiritual nourishment which is of the soul, and therefore it is said "He will create anew my soul." In Isaiah:--

[3] Everyone can see that in these passages grass and herb are not meant, but instead of them such things as are of the church; that by the "herb of the laud," and the "herb of the field" is meant the truth which is of faith, is plain. Without such a spiritual sense no one would ever know why it should be said, in John, when the fifth angel sounded, that "they should not hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing;" nor would anyone know what is meant in Jeremiah "The hind calved in the field, but forsook it, because there was no herb, and the wild asses snuffed the wind like whales because there was no herb;" nor what is meant in many other passages. From this it is evident how little the Word is understood, and how earthly an idea would be had of very many things contained therein, unless it were known what they signify; at least that there is what is holy in every detail.

AC 7572. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven. That this signifies communication with heaven, is evident from the signification of "stretching forth a rod," as being to direct the attention to, thus to communicate, according to what was unfolded above (n. 7568). By "heaven" is signified the angelic heaven.

AC 7573. And Jehovah gave voices of thunder. That this signifies the withdrawal and separation of the communication with those who are in good and truth, is evident from the signification of the "voices," which are those of thunders, as being truths Divine that enlighten and perfect those who are in heaven, and that terrify and devastate those who are in hell; and because they devastate these latter, they signify the withdrawal and separation of the communication of those who are in good and truth, for in this way they are devastated. How this takes place is plain from what was said before (n. 7502, 7541, 7542, 7545, 7554), namely, that they who have been of the church, and from this have imbibed knowledges of truth and good from the Word, but have lived a life of evil, have communication with heaven through the truths and goods which they have brought with them from the world by having been in the church. A man brings with him in the other life whatever he has known in the world, nay, whatever he has seen, heard, thought, spoken, willed, and done, (n. 2474, 2475, 2481-2486, 7398). This is the communication which is taken away when they are being devastated; and when this communication has been taken away, then also the truths and goods together with the knowledges thereof have also been taken away. For whatever is known by spirits, nay, by the angels, flows in through heaven from the Lord, thus by means of communications (n. 6053-6058, 6189-6215, 6307-6327, 6466-6495, 6613-6626). From all this it is evident what is meant by the withdrawal and separation of the communication with those who are in truth and good. As regards truth Divine in heaven and in hell, which truth is signified by the "voices," the case is the same as it is with thunders on earth On high mountains thunders are heard as a mild and gentle sound, whereas below on the earth they are heard as a terrific noise; and in the same way in heaven truth Divine is mild and gentle, but in hell is terrible.

[2] That "voices" which are thunders signify truths Divine that enlighten and perfect those who are in heaven, and that terrify and devastate those who are in hell, is plain from the following passages:--

here "the voice of Jehovah" denotes truth Divine, which enlightens and perfects those who are in good, and terrifies and devastates those who are in evil. In Joel:--

where the meaning is similar.

[3] In the same:--

Here in like manner the "voice of Jehovah" denotes truth Divine; that it is said to be "from Jerusalem" is because by "Jerusalem" is signified the Lord’s spiritual kingdom, in which are they who are in good from truth, and in truth from good.

[4] In David:--

"to utter His voice," "hail-stone," and "coals of fire," denote the devastation of truth and good through falsities, and the evils of cupidities. In the same:--

"a voice" denotes truth Divine, which enlightens those who are of the church.

[5] In the same:--

here "the voice of Jehovah" denotes truth Divine and its power, thus also the Word, because this is truth Divine.

[6] In John:--

"voices" denote truth Divine; "thunders," those who carry it and bring it from heaven to earth. Everyone can see that by "thunders" and "voices" are signified Divine things, not thunders and sounds; and because they signify Divine things, and are called "the voices of Jehovah," it is evident that they denote Divine truth. It was for this reason that when Jehovah descended upon Mount Sinai and promulgated Divine truth there were voices, lightnings, and thunders (Exod. 19:16; 20:18); and He spake out of the midst of the fire (Deut. 4:11, 12; 5:22-25).

AC 7574. And hail. That this signifies falsities destroying these goods and truths, is evident from the signification of "hail," as being falsities from evils destroying the goods and truths of the church (n. 7553). By "hail" are signified such falsities as destroy the truths and goods of the church, as is also signified by the "pestilence" described above in this chapter; for there are very many genera and species of falsities, as there are of the evils from which they spring. The falsities signified by the "hail" are of the kind that destroy the things of the church, and are possible only with those who have been born in the church, and have lived contrary to the truths and goods of faith therein. That falsities, like evils, are of many genera and species, is evident from the fact that the hells are distinct according to the genera and species of evils and the derivative falsities, and that the hells are countless. From all this it can be seen how the case is with the fact that the miracles or plagues in Egypt signify falsities and evils, as the blood, the frogs, the lice, the noisome flies, the pestilence, the sore of pustules, the hail, and the locust, namely, that by each is signified some kind of falsity and evil.

AC 7575. And the fire walked unto the land. That this signifies the evils of cupidities, is evident from the signification of "fire," as being the evils of cupidities (n. 1297, 1861, 2446, 5071, 5215, 6314, 6832, 7324); and from the signification of "walking unto the land," as being to take possession of the natural mind even to its lowest parts. The "land of Egypt" denotes the natural mind, (n. 5276, 5278, 5280, 5288, 5301). As by "hail" are signified falsities, and by "fire" the evils from which they spring, therefore where "hail" is mentioned, so also is "fire," as in (Isa. 30:30, 31; Ps. 18:12-15; 78:47-49; Rev. 8:7); and also in the verse that here follows: "and there was hail, and fire at the same time walking in the midst of hail, very grievous."

AC 7576. And Jehovah bade it rain hail upon the land of Egypt. That this signifies thus the natural mind taken possession of by the falsities of evil, is evident from the signification of "making it rain," as being to pour in, here to take possession of. "To rain" is said of truth and good, and in the opposite sense of falsity and evil, for "rain" denotes a blessing, and it also denotes a curse (n. 2445); from the signification of "hail," as being the falsity of evil (n. 7553, 7574); and from the signification of "the land of Egypt," as being the natural mind (n. 7575).

AC 7577. And there was hail, and fire at the same time walking in the midst of the hail, very grievous. That this signifies the persuasions of falsity together with the cupidities of evil, is evident from the signification of "hail," as being falsity from evil (n. 7574), here the persuasion of falsity, because it is said "hail very grievous;" from the signification of "fire," as being the cupidity of evil (n. 7575); from the signification of "walking in the midst," as being to be together, and indeed the cupidity of evil inmostly, because this was the source of the falsity.

[2] There is here described the state of those who are of the church and infest the upright in the other life when they have been vastated as to what is of the church, that is, as to the goods and truths which they professed; namely, that then persuasions of falsity together with cupidities of evil reign with them; for such is their interior state. The persuasions of falsity and the cupidities of evil are inseparable, for he who is in evil as to life, is in falsity as to doctrine. It may indeed seem otherwise to those who are in evil of life; for when with the mouth they profess truths from the word, or from the doctrine of their church, they suppose that they are in the belief of these truths. It also appears to them as if they were; but still they are not if the life is evil; for they either profess with the mouth what disagrees with their thoughts, or they think that it is so from a persuasive faith, which is for the sake of gain or of honors; therefore when there is no further canvassing for honors, or chasing of gain, this faith falls to the ground, and then they readily learn falsities which agree with the evils of cupidities. These falsities exist inwardly with those who live evilly, no matter how much they believe that they do not exist.

[3] That this is so, clearly shows itself in the other life, when the externals have there been taken away, and such persons have been left to their interiors. Then falsities burst forth, both those which they had thought in the world, and those which they had not openly thought; for they burst forth from the evils which had been of their life, because falsities are nothing else than evils reasoning and defending themselves. From all this it can be seen what is their state in the other life, namely that they have persuasions of falsity together with cupidities of evil.

AC 7578. Such as had not been like it in all the land of Egypt. That this signifies that no others had such a state of the natural mind, is evident from what was unfolded above (n. 7554), where like words occur.

AC 7579. Since it became a nation. That this signifies from the day in which it, namely, the natural mind, was made capable of admitting good and the derivative truth, is evident from the signification of "nation," as being good (n. 1159, 1259, 1260, 1416, 1849, 4574, 6005), and because this is said of the land of Egypt, by which is signified the truth of memory-knowledge which is of the natural mind, therefore "nation" denotes the truth which is from good; and from the signification of "since it became," as being from the day in which it was made.

AC 7580. And the hail smote in all the land of Egypt. That this signifies that this falsity destroyed the things that were in the natural mind, is evident from the signification of "smiting," as being to destroy; from the signification of "the hail," as being falsity from evils (n. 7553); and from the signification of "the land of Egypt," as being the natural mind (n. 7569).

AC 7581. All that was in the field. That this signifies whatever was of the church, is evident from the signification of "the field," as being the church (n. 7557).

AC 7582. From man and even to beast. That this signifies its interior and exterior good, is evident from the signification of "man and beast," as being interior and exterior good (n. 7424, 7523).

AC 7583. And the hail smote every herb of the field. That this signifies that these falsities destroyed every truth of the church, is evident from the signification of the "herb of the field," as being the truth of the church (n. 7571); from the signification of "smiting," as being to destroy; and from the signification of "the hail," as being falsity (n. 7553).

AC 7584. And brake every tree of the field. That this signifies that they also destroyed all the knowledges of the good and truth of the church, is evident from the signification of "tree," as being perceptions of good and truth (n. 103, 2163, 2682); and also the knowledges of good and truth (n. 2722, 2972).

AC 7585. Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, was there no hail. That this signifies that it was not so where those were who were of the spiritual church, is evident from the signification of "the land of Goshen," as being the inmost in the natural mind (n. 5910, 6028, 6031, 6068), and as being the church (n. 6649); and from the representation of the sons of Israel, as being those who are of the spiritual church (n. 6426, 6637, 6862, 6868, 7035, 7062, 7198, 7201, 7215, 7223).

Author:  E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design:  I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.

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