What Charity is, and what Faith is, with man, must now be told. Charity is an internal affection which consists in a heartfelt desire to do the neighbor good, and in this being the delight of life; and this without any reward.
8034 On the other hand, Faith is an internal affection which consists in a heartfelt desire to know what is true and what is good, and this not for the sake of doctrine as the end in view, but for the sake of life. This affection conjoins itself with the affection of charity through the desire to do according to the truth, thus to do the truth itself.
8035 They who are in the genuine affection of charity and faith believe that from themselves they do not desire anything good, and that from themselves they do not understand anything true; but that the will of good and the understanding of truth are from the Lord.
8036 This then is charity, and this is faith. They who are in these have within them the kingdom of the Lord and heaven, and within them is the church; and these are they who have been regenerated by the Lord, and from Him have received a new will and a new understanding.
8037 They who have the love of self or the love of the world as the end in view, cannot possibly be in charity and faith. They who are in these loves do not even know what charity is, and what faith is, and do not at all comprehend that to will good to the neighbor without any reward is heaven in man, and that in this affection there is happiness as great as is that of the angels, which is unutterable; for they believe that if they are deprived of the joy arising from the glory of honors and of wealth all joy ceases to be possible; when yet heavenly joy, which infinitely transcends every other joy, then first begins.
1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Sanctify to Me all the firstborn, that which openeth every womb among the sons of Israel, in man and in beast; it is Mine.
3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember thou this day, in which ye went out from Egypt, out of the house of servants; because in strength of hand Jehovah led you forth from hence; and what is leavened shall not be eaten.
4 This day ye go forth, in the month Abib.
5 And it shall be when Jehovah shall have brought thee unto the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which He sware to thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt serve this service in this month.
6 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened things, and in the seventh day is a feast to Jehovah.
7 Unleavened things shall be eaten seven days; and that which is leavened shall not be seen with thee, leaven shall not be seen with thee in all thy border.
8 And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, It is because of that which Jehovah did for me, in my going forth out of Egypt.
9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of Jehovah may be in thy mouth; because with a strong hand hath Jehovah led thee forth out of Egypt.
10 And thou shalt keep this statute at the set time from year to year.
11 And it shall be when Jehovah shall have brought thee in to the land of the Canaanite, as He sware to thee and to thy fathers, and shall have given it thee:
12 That thou shalt cause to pass over to Jehovah all that openeth the womb; and all that openeth of the offspring of a beast, which shall be to thee males, shall be for Jehovah.
13 And all that openeth of an ass thou shalt redeem with one of the flock; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break its neck; and every firstborn of man among thy sons shalt thou redeem.
14 And it shall be when thy son shall ask thee tomorrow, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, In strength of hand Jehovah led us forth from Egypt, from the house of servants.
15 And it was that Pharaoh hardened himself against letting us go, and Jehovah slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of man and even to the firstborn of beast; therefore I sacrifice to Jehovah all that openeth the womb, being males; and all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.
16 And it shall be for a sign upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes; because in strength of hand Jehovah led us forth out of Egypt.
17 And it was in Pharaoh’s letting the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, because that was near; for God said, Perchance the people will repent when they see war, and will return to Egypt.
18 And God led the people about, by the way of the wilderness, the sea Suph; and the sons of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.
19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for swearing he had caused the sons of Israel to swear, saying, Visiting God will visit you; and ye shall bring up my bones with you from hence.
20 And they journeyed from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, at the end of the wilderness.
21 And Jehovah went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them in the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and by night.
22 The pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, departed not from before the people.
8038 THE CONTENTS.
In this chapter the subject treated of in the internal sense is faith in the Lord, and the perpetual remembrance of having been liberated by Him from damnation. Faith in the Lord is signified by the sanctification of the firstborn, and the perpetual remembrance of liberation by the Lord is signified by the celebration of the passover.
8039 In the latter portion of the chapter, and thereafter, the subject treated of is the further preparation of those who were of the spiritual church and who before the coming of the Lord were detained in the lower earth until they could be introduced into heaven, and that for the sake of this end they were first sent through the midst of damnation in safety, and after this underwent temptations, the Lord being continually present. Transmission through the midst of damnation is signified by the passage through the sea Suph; temptations are signified by that life in the wilderness to which they were led; and the presence of the Lord is signified by the pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night.
8040 THE INTERNAL SENSE
Verses 1, 2. And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Sanctify to Me all the firstborn, that which openeth every womb among the sons of Israel, in man and in beast; it is Mine. “And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,” signifies an informing by the Divine; “Sanctify to Me all the firstborn,” signifies faith, that it is from the Lord; “that which openeth every womb,” signifies which is from charity; “among the sons of Israel,” signifies in the spiritual church; “in man and in beast,” signifies the good of faith interior and exterior; “it is Mine,” signifies that it is the Lord’s.
8041 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying. That this signifies an informing by the Divine, is evident from the signification of “speaking” and “saying,” when by Jehovah about the things of the church which are to be observed, as being an informing (see n. 7769, 7793, 7825), and because it is by Jehovah, it denotes an informing by the Divine; and from the representation of Moses, as being truth Divine (n. 6771, 7014, 7382). Hence by “Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying” is signified an informing by the Divine through Divine truth.
8042 Sanctify to Me all the firstborn. That this signifies faith, that it is from the Lord, is evident from the signification of “sanctifying to Jehovah” or the Lord, as being to ascribe to Him, that is, to confess and acknowledge that it is from Him; and from the signification of “the firstborn,” as being faith (see n. 352, 2435, 6344, 7035). When it is said “faith,” there is meant all the truth that belongs to the spiritual church; and as there is meant all the truth of the church, the spiritual church itself is also meant, for truth is the essential of this church. Good is indeed the essential of the church, and is actually the firstborn (n. 2435, 3325, 4925, 4926, 4928, 4930); but the good which those have who belong to the spiritual church is in itself truth; for when they act according to the truth which is of their doctrine, then the truth is called good, having then passed from the understanding into the will and from the will into act, and that which is done from the will is called good. That in itself and in its essence this good is nevertheless truth, is because to them the doctrinal things of the church are truths, and the doctrinal things in churches differ, consequently so do the truths; and yet although they are so various, by willing them and doing them they become goods, as just now said.
[2] While a man is being regenerated, he is led by means of faith in the understanding, or in doctrine, to faith in the will or life, that is, by means of the truth of faith to the good of charity; and when a man is in the good of charity, he has then been regenerated, and then from this good he produces truths, which are called the truths of good. These are the truths which are the veriest truths of faith, and which are meant by “the firstborn;” for it is with the begettings or births of truths from good, as it is with the begettings or births of sons and daughters from a parent, and afterward of grandsons and granddaughters, and thereafter of great-grandsons and great-granddaughters; and so on. The first or immediate begetting or birth, which is that of sons and daughters, is what is signified by “the firstborn,” however many these may be; but not the second and the third begettings or births, except relatively to their own parents. The reason why these are sanctified to Jehovah or the Lord, is that all derivative or descending truths and goods derive their essence from the primitive ones. In this spiritual thing is founded the right of the firstborn that is spoken of in the Word.
8043 That which openeth every womb. That this signifies which is from charity, is evident from the signification of “that which openeth the womb,” as being that which is born immediately of a regenerate one, thus that which is from charity (according to what was said just above, n. 8042). For he who is conceived anew, comes as it were again into the womb; and he who is born anew, goes forth as it were again from the womb; but that which is conceived in the womb and born from the womb is not man as man, but is the faith of charity, for this makes the spiritual of man, thus as it were makes the man himself anew, for then his life is derived from this. From all this it can be seen what is meant in the spiritual sense by “that which openeth the womb.” The angels, who are in spiritual ideas alone, understand nothing else by this. (What is meant by the “womb,” and also by “being in the womb,” and by “going forth from the womb,” see n. 3293e, 3294, 3967, 4904, 4918, 4931, 5052, 5054, 6433.)
[2] As such things are signified by the “womb,” therefore in the Word the Lord is called “the Former from the womb,” that is, the Regenerator, as in Isaiah:
Thus said Jehovah, thy Maker, and thy Former from the womb; He helpeth thee: Fear not, Jacob My servant, and Jeshurun whom I have chosen, because I will pour out water upon him that is thirsty, and rivulets upon the dry ground; I will pour out My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thy children (Isa. 44:2, 3);
the Lord is called “the Maker and Former from the womb,” because He regenerates man, and from natural makes him spiritual; and as regeneration is effected by means of truth and good, therefore it is said that He “will pour out water upon him that is thirsty, and His spirit upon his seed;” for by “water” is signified the truth which is of faith (see n. 2702, 3058, 3424, 4976, 5668, 7307), and by “spirit” the good which is of charity. In like manner by “water and spirit” in John:
Jesus said unto Nicodemus, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except anyone be begotten anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said unto Him, Now can a man be begotten when he is old? Can he come a second time into his mother’s womb? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except anyone be begotten from water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which has been born from the flesh is flesh; but that which has been begotten from the spirit is spirit. Art thou a teacher in Israel, and knowest thou not this? (John 3:3-6, 10)
[3] The Lord is called “the Former from the womb” in other passages also, as in Isaiah:
Thus said Jehovah thy Redeemer, and thy Former from the womb: I am Jehovah, that doeth all things; that spreadeth out the heavens alone; and that stretcheth out the earth by Myself (Isa. 44:24);
by “the heavens and the earth” is meant in the general sense the church internal and external (n. 82, 1411, 1733, 1850, 3355, 4535), and in the particular sense the internal and external of the church with the man who has been regenerated; and by “spreading out” and “stretching out” is signified to make or create by Divine power (n. 7673), for which reason the Lord, as the Regenerator, is called “the Maker,” and “the Creator,” and regeneration is called “a new creation.”
[4] In like manner in the same:
Attend ye unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remains of the house of Israel, that have been carried from the belly, that have been borne from the womb (Isa. 46:31).
And in David:
Upon Thee, O Lord Jehovih, have I been laid from the womb; Thou art my Bringer-forth out of my mother’s bowels; Thou art my praise continually (Ps. 71:6).
From all this it is now evident what is signified in the internal sense by “that which openeth the womb,” and consequently what by “the firstborn.”
8044 Among the sons of Israel. That this signifies in the spiritual church, is evident from the representation of the sons of Israel, as being the spiritual church (see n. 4286, 6426, 6637, 6862, 6868, 7035, 7062, 7198, 7201, 7215, 7223).
8045 In man and in beast, signifies the good of faith interior and exterior (as above, n. 7424, 7523).
8046 It is Mine. That this signifies that it is the Lord’s is evident from the fact that in the Word “Jehovah” denotes the Lord (see n. 1343, 1736, 2921, 3023, 3035, 5041, 5663, 6281, 6303, 6905, 6945, 6956), for which reason “it is Mine” denotes that it is the Lord’s. (That all good and all truth, thus charity and faith, are from the Lord, and none at all from man, see n. 904, 2411, 3142, 3147, 4151, 5482, 5649, 6193, 6325, 6466-6495, 6613-6626, 6982, 6985, 6996, 7004, 7055, 7056, 7058, 7270, 7343.)
8047 Verses 3-10. And Moses said unto the people, Remember thou this day, in which ye went out from Egypt, out of the house of servants; because in strength of hand Jehovah led you forth from hence; and what is leavened shall not be eaten. This day ye go forth, in the month Abib. And it shall be when Jehovah shall have brought thee unto the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which He sware to thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt serve this service in this month. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened things, and in the seventh day is a feast to Jehovah. Unleavened things shall be eaten seven days; and that which is leavened shall not be seen with thee, and leaven shall not be seen with thee in all thy border. And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying, It is because of that which Jehovah did for me, in my going forth out of Egypt. And it shall be unto thee for a sign upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of Jehovah may be in thy mouth; because with a strong hand hath Jehovah led thee forth out of Egypt. And thou shalt keep this statute at the set time from year to year. “And Moses said unto the people,” signifies instruction by means of truth Divine; “Remember thou this day, in which ye went out from Egypt, out of the house of servants,” signifies that especially must that state be recollected in which they were when liberated from spiritual captivity by the Lord; “because in strength of hand Jehovah led you forth from hence,” signifies that they were liberated by the Divine power of the Lord; “and what is leavened shall not be eaten,” signifies that there shall not be appropriated anything falsified; “this day ye go forth,” signifies liberation to eternity; “in the month Abib,” signifies the beginning of a new state; “and it shall be when Jehovah shall have brought thee to the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite,” signifies into the region of heaven occupied by those who are in evil and falsity; “which He sware to thy fathers to give thee,” signifies which was promised from the Divine to those who are in good and truth; “a land flowing with milk and honey,” signifies where are gladness and joy; “that thou shalt serve this service in this month,” signifies unceasing worship of the Lord on account of liberation; “seven days thou shalt eat unleavened things,” signifies purification from falsities; “and in the seventh day is a feast to Jehovah,” signifies the holy worship of the Lord; “unleavened things shall be eaten seven days,” signifies that they must be wholly purified from falsities; “and that which is leavened shall not be seen with thee,” signifies that what is falsified must not be admitted at all; “and leaven shall not be seen with thee,” signifies that neither must any falsity be admitted; “in all thy border,” signifies so far as the truth which is from good extends itself; “and thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying,” signifies interior perception of truth, which perception is of conscience; “It is because of that which Jehovah did for me, in my going forth out of Egypt,” signifies that they were liberated by the Lord from spiritual captivity and from damnation; “and it shall be unto thee for a sign upon thine hand,” signifies that it must be constantly in the will; “and for a memorial between thine eyes,” signifies that it must be constantly in the understanding; “that the law of Jehovah may be in thy mouth,” signifies that the Divine truth may be in everything which proceeds thence; “because with a strong hand hath Jehovah led thee forth out of Egypt,” signifies that they were liberated by Divine power; “and thou shalt keep this statute at the set time from year to year,” signifies that this law of order must be in this state continually.
8048 And Moses said unto the people. That this signifies instruction by means of truth Divine, is evident from the signification of “saying,” when by means of truth Divine concerning things to be observed in the church, as being instruction (see n. 7186, 7267, 7304, 7380, 7517); and from the representation of Moses, as being truth Divine (of which above, n. 8041).
8049 Remember thou this day, in which ye went out from Egypt, out of the house of servants. That this signifies that especially must that state be recollected in which they were when liberated from spiritual captivity by the Lord, is evident from the signification of “remember thou,” as being that it is to be recollected; from the signification of “day,” as being state (see n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 5672, 5962, 7680); from the signification of “going out,” as being to be liberated, for by the “going out of the sons of Israel” is signified the liberation of those who are of the spiritual church by the Lord (of which liberation see n. 6854, 6914, 7091, 7828, 7932, 8018); and from the signification of “Egypt” and “the house of servants,” as being spiritual captivity; for by “Pharaoh and the Egyptians” were signified those who in the other life have infested the spiritual by means of falsities (n. 7097, 7107, 7110, 7126, 7142, 7220, 7228, 7317). Hence by “the land of Egypt” is signified infestation (n. 7278); nor is infestation by means of falsities anything else than spiritual captivity; for when they are being infested they are held as it were captive in falsities, from which they continually labor to be liberated; hence in the Word they are also called “the bound in the pit” (n. 6854). This spiritual captivity is signified also by “the house of servants.” (That servitude is an assault by falsities, that is, infestation, see n. 7120, 7129.)
8050 Because in strength of hand Jehovah led you forth from hence. That this signifies that they were liberated by the Divine power of the Lord, is evident from the signification of “strength of hand,” as being power, and when it is said of Jehovah, as being omnipotence (that “strength” denotes power is evident, as also that “hand” denotes power see n. 878, 3387, 4931-4937, 5327, 5328, 5544, 6947, 7188, 7189, 7518, 7673); and from the signification of “to lead forth,” as being to liberate. (That “Jehovah” denotes the Lord, see above, n. 8046.)
8051 And what is leavened shall not be eaten. That this signifies that there shall not be appropriated anything falsified, is evident from the signification of “eating,” as being to appropriate (see n. 3168, 3513, 3596, 4745); and from the signification of “leaven,” as being falsity (n. 2342, 7906); consequently “what is leavened” denotes what is falsified. As regards the appropriation of falsity and of that which is falsified, be it known that falsity and that which is falsified cannot be appropriated as such to anyone who is in good and from this desires to be in truth, but only to him who is in evil and from this does not desire to be in truth. That to him who is in good and from this desires to be in truth, falsity is not appropriated as falsity, is because he thinks well with respect to God, the kingdom of God, and spiritual life, and consequently he applies falsity so as not to be contrary to those things, but in some way to be in accord with them; thus he softens it, and the asperity and hardness of it does not come into his idea. Unless this were the case, scarcely anyone could be saved, for falsities are more prevalent than truths. But be it known that they who are in good are also in the love of truth, and therefore in the other life, when they are instructed by angels, they reject falsities and accept truths, and this according to the degree of the love of truth which they had in the world.
8052 This day ye go forth. That this signifies liberation to eternity, is evident from the signification of “this day,” as being eternity (on which see n. 2838, 3998, 4304, 6165, 6984); and from the signification of “going forth,” as being to be liberated (n. 8049).
8053 In the month Abib. That this signifies the beginning of a new state, is evident from the signification of “month,” as being the end of a former state and the beginning of a subsequent state, thus also a new state (see n. 3814). That “the month Abib” denotes the beginning from which are all following states, is plain from what is said of this month in the foregoing chapter, verse 2: “This month shall be unto you the head of the months; this is the first to you in the months of the year” (see n. 7827, 7828).
8054 And it shall be when Jehovah shall have brought thee unto the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. That this signifies the region of heaven occupied by those who are in evil and falsity, is evident from the signification of “the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite,” as being heaven, here the region of heaven occupied by those who are in evil and falsity. (That “the land of Canaan” denotes the Lord’s kingdom in heaven and earth, or the church, see n. 1413, 1437, 1585, 1607, 1866, 3038, 3481, 3686, 3705, 4116, 4240, 4447, 4454, 4516, 4517, 5136, 5757, 6516.) Evils and falsities are signified by the nations here named-evil from the falsity of evil by “the Canaanite” (n. 4818); falsity from which is evil by “the Hittite” (n. 2913); evil and the derivative falsity by “the Amorite” (n. 1857, 6306); idolatry in which is something of good by “the Hivite” (n. 6860); and idolatry in which there is something of truth by “the Jebusite” (n. 6860). (That before the coming of the Lord the region of heaven into which they who were of the spiritual church would come, was occupied by evils and falsities, see n. 6858.)
[2] As to what further concerns this subject, be it known that before the Lord’s coming heaven was not distinguished into three heavens, namely into the inmost or third, the middle or second, and the ultimate or first, as it was after the Lord’s coming; but was one. The spiritual heaven was not yet formed. The region where the spiritual heaven was to be, was occupied by those who were in falsity and evil, but who could be kept in some truth and good by external means, especially by means of ideas of eminence and dignity, just as is the case in the world, where they who are in evil and falsity are nevertheless obliged to as it were think and speak truths, and as it were will and do goods, by external means, which are honors and gains. The reason why this region of heaven was then occupied by such spirits, was that good ones were lacking, and they who were of the spiritual church had not as yet been prepared, and yet every place had to be filled by spirits, in order that there might be continuity from the Lord down to man, for without continuity man would have perished. At this day also there are some regions of heaven occupied by such; but they who are there are withheld by a strong force from the doing of evils. Immediately above the head are they who deceive and seduce by means of innocence; but above them are the celestial from the Most Ancient Church, who keep them in bonds with such force that they cannot possibly occasion what is evil to anyone. Behind the back part of the head there is also at this day a region which had been a region of heaven, that is occupied by the evil; and another in front toward the left.
[3] There is also a continual endeavor on the part of the evil to invade the places where the good are, and they actually do invade them as soon as they are not filled by the good, which endeavor it has often been granted me to notice. These regions are thus occupied when the evil are increased and the good diminished in the world; for in this case evil spirits come near to man, and good spirits recede from him; and insofar as these recede, so far the regions nearest to man are occupied by the evil. When this condition becomes general, the inhabitants of these regions are completely changed. Much is the case when the church is near its end, for then evil and falsity prevail. But about the end of the church the evil are cast down, and the regions they had occupied are given to the good, who in the meantime have been prepared for heaven. This is meant by these words in John:
There was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels; but they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven (Rev. 12:7, 8).
This state of heaven was represented by the land of Canaan, in that the nations occupied it; and by the sons of Israel, in that they cast those nations out from it; for by the “land of Canaan” is signified the Lord’s kingdom, thus heaven and the church, as can be seen from the passages cited above.
8055 Which He sware to thy fathers to give thee. That this signifies which was promised from the Divine to those who are in good and truth, is evident from the signification of “swearing,” when by Jehovah, as being irrevocable confirmation by the Divine (see n. 2842, 3375), whence “to swear to give” denotes a promise; and from the signification of “fathers,” as being those who are in good and truth, for by “fathers,” when the church is treated of, are signified the ancients, or the ancient churches, which were in good and truth (n. 6050, 6075, 6589, 6876, 6884, 7649).
8056 A land flowing with milk and honey. That this signifies where are gladness and joy, is evident from the signification of “a land flowing with milk and honey,” as being what is pleasant and what is delightful (see n. 5620, 6857), thus gladness and joy. It is said “gladness and joy,” because in the Word “gladness” is predicated of truth, and “joy” of good; in like manner “what is pleasant” and “what is delightful;” moreover “milk” is predicated of the truth of good, and “honey” of the good of truth.
8057 That thou shalt serve this service in this month. That this signifies unceasing worship of the Lord on account of liberation, is evident from the signification of “service” as being worship (see n. 7934); and from the signification of “month,” as being the end of a former state and the beginning of a new one; and of “the month Abib,” as being the beginning from which are all following states (n. 8053); consequently by “month” is signified also what is unceasing.
8058 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened things. That this signifies purification from falsities, is evident from the signification of “seven days,” as involving what is holy (see n. 395, 433, 716, 881, 5265, 5268), and as being a full state (n. 6508); and from the signification of “eating unleavened things,” as being the appropriation of truth and purification from falsity, for “what is unleavened” denotes good purified from falsity, and “eating” denotes appropriation (n. 3168, 3513, 3596, 3832, 4745). That “what is unleavened” denotes good purified from falsity, is because “bread” denotes good, and “leaven” falsity.
8059 And in the seventh day is a feast to Jehovah. That this signifies the holy worship of the Lord, is evident from the signification of “the seventh day,” as being a holy state (that “day” denotes state, see n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 5672, 5962; and that “seven” denotes what is holy, n. 395, 433, 716, 881, 5265, 5268); and from the signification of “a feast to Jehovah,” as being the worship of the Lord. (That a “feast” denotes worship from a glad mind, see n. 7093; and that “Jehovah” denotes the Lord, n. 8046.)
8060 Unleavened things shall be eaten seven days. That this signifies that they must be wholly purified from falsities, is evident from the signification of “eating unleavened things,” as being to appropriate good purified from falsities (as just above, n. 8058); and as this is repeated, it signifies that it shall be wholly done; and from the signification of “seven days,” as being what is holy, and also a full state (n. 8058).
8061 And that which is leavened shall not be seen with thee. That this signifies that what is falsified must not be admitted at all, that is to say, so as to be appropriated, is evident from what was unfolded above (n. 8051); that this must not be done at all, is signified by the words being repeated.
8062 And leaven shall not be seen with thee. That this signifies that neither must any falsity be admitted, is evident from the signification of “leaven,” as being falsity (see n. 7906). That which is falsified, which is signified by “what is leavened,” and falsity, which is signified by “leaven,” differ in the fact that what is falsified is truth applied to confirm evil, and falsity is everything that is contrary to truth.
8063 In all thy border. That this signifies so far as the truth which is from good extends itself, is evident from the signification of “border,” as being the extension of truth from good; for all truth has its extension, which is sometimes manifested by a sphere; and because it has extension, it has its borders. The sphere of the extension of truth is according to the quality and the amount of good; for good is like flame, and truth is like light. The sphere of extension in the spiritual world is to the societies which are round about; and so far as the sphere extends into them, so far there is communication (see n. 6598-6613). In heaven everyone has intelligence and wisdom, and has happiness, according to the sphere of extension; that is, according to its amount and at the same time its quality. From all this it can be seen what is signified in the spiritual sense by “in all thy border,” here, that in good there must not be any falsity; for falsities are outside of the sphere, because they begin where truths leave off; whereas if they enter the sphere, they are appropriated. That they must not enter is signified by its being said “there shall no leavened thing, or leaven, be seen with thee in all thy border.”
8064 And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying. That this signifies the interior perception which is of conscience, is evident from what was unfolded above (see n. 7935), where are like words.
8065 It is because of that which Jehovah did for me, in my going forth out of Egypt. That this signifies that they were liberated by the Lord from spiritual captivity and from damnation, is evident from the signification of “to go forth,” as being to be liberated; and from the signification of “Egypt,” as being spiritual captivity and damnation (see n. 8049).
8066 And it shall be unto thee for a sign upon thine hand. That this signifies that it must be constantly in the will, is evident from the signification of “a sign,” as being a constant recollection, for that which is for a sign and for a memorial is for the sake of constant remembrance; that the sign was to be upon the hand was in order that as often as they moved the hand, or did anything, they might be reminded of it; and that the memorial was to be between the eyes was in order that as often as they looked at anything, they might be reminded of it; and from the signification of the “hand,” as being power (see n. 878, 3387, 4931-4937, 5327, 5328, 5544, 6292, 6947, 7011, 7188, 7189, 7518, 7673), here the will, because all the action and power of action which are effected by means of the hand, proceed from the will.
8067 And for a memorial between thine eyes. That this signifies that it must be constantly in the understanding, is evident from the signification of “a memorial,” as also being a constant recollection (it is said “a memorial,” because in the Word this is predicated of the understanding, whereas “a sign” is predicated of the will); and from the signification of “eyes,” as being the understanding (see n. 2701, 3820, 4403-4421, 4523-4534), consequently by “a memorial between the eyes” is signified that it must be constantly in the understanding, that is, in the thought. How it is to be understood that it must be constantly in the understanding and constantly in the will, shall be briefly told. Those things with a man which have been impressed by means of faith and charity, or which the man fully believes and loves, are constantly in his thought and will; for he thinks them and wills them, even when he is thinking and busy about other things, and does not suppose them to be present in his mind; for they are among the things which constitute the mind’s quality. That this is so is clearly evident from the spiritual sphere which encompasses a spirit or an angel; for when he approaches, it is at once known from this sphere of what faith and of what charity he is, and many things he has at heart, although at the time he is not thinking about them. Such things constitute the mind’s life of everyone, and they always keep themselves there. These things could be illustrated by very many things with man; as by the various reflections, by the affections, and by the actions impressed from infancy, and the like, which are continually present and guide, even if nothing is manifestly thought about the matter. The case is the same with love to the neighbor, with love to God, with the love of good and truth, and with faith; they who are in these, constantly will them and think them; for these are in them, and when they are within they are said to be “universally regnant” (n. 6159, 6571, 7648).
8068 That the law of Jehovah may be in thy mouth. That this signifies that the Divine truth may be in everything which proceeds thence, is evident from the signification of “the law of Jehovah,” as being the Divine truth (see n. 7463); and from the signification of “being in the mouth,” as being to be in everything which proceeds thence, that is, from the understanding and the will; for “in the mouth” denotes in the discourse, and in the discourse there is each part of the mind, both its understanding and its will; the understanding in the sense of the words and things; the will in the affection which gives life to the discourse.
8069 Because with a strong hand hath Jehovah led thee forth out of Egypt. That this signifies that they were liberated by Divine power, is evident from the signification of the “strong hand” of Jehovah, as being the Divine power of the Lord; and from the signification of “to lead forth,” as being to liberate (see n. 8050).
8070 And thou shalt keep this statute at the set time from year to year. That this signifies that this law of order must be in this state continually, is evident from the signification of “statute,” as being a law of order (see n. 7884, 7995); from the signification of “time,” as being state (n. 2625, 2788, 2837, 3254, 3356, 3404, 3827, 3938, 4814, 4882, 4901, 4916, 6110, 7381); hence “at the set time” denotes in this state; and from the signification of “year,” as being an entire period from beginning to end (n. 2906); thus “from year to year” denotes continually.
