Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 35874985. And Joseph was beautiful in form signifies the good of lifethence derived, and beautiful in look signifies the truth of faiththence derived, as is evident from the signification of “beautiful inform” and “beautiful in look”; for “form” is the essence of a thing,and “look” is the manifestation thence derived; and because good isthe very essence, and truth the manifestation thence derived;thence, by “beautiful in form” is signified the good of life, and by“beautiful in look” the truth of faith. For the good of life is the verybeing of man, because it is of his will; and the truth of faith is thecoming forth thence derived, because it is of his understanding; forwhatever is of the understanding comes forth from the will. Thebeing of man’s life is in his willing, and the coming forth of his lifeis in his understanding. The understanding of man is nothing elsethan the will unfolded, and so put in form that its quality mayappear in its look. From this it is plain whence is the beauty (thatis, of the interior man), namely, from the good of the will throughthe truth of faith. The very truth of faith presents beauty in theexternal form, but the good of the will imparts and forms it. Fromthis it is that the angels of heaven are of ineffable beauty, being as itwere loves and charities in form; and therefore when they appear intheir beauty, they affect the inmosts. With them, the good of lovefrom the Lord shines forth through the truth of faith, and as itpenetrates it affects. Hence it is evident what is signified in theinternal sense by “beautiful in form and beautiful in look” (see alson. 3821).4986. Verses 7–9. And it came to pass after these words that hislord’s wife lifted up her eyes to Joseph, and she said, Lie with me. Andhe refused, and said unto his lord’s wife, Behold, my lord knoweth notwhat is with me in the house, and all that he hath he hath given intomy hand. He is not greater in this house than I; and he hath notwithheld from me anything but thee, because thou art his wife; andhow shall I do this great evil, and sin to God? “And it came to passafter these words” signifies a third state; “that his lord’s wife liftedup her eyes to Joseph” signifies truth natural, not spiritual, adjoinedto natural good, and its perception; “and she said, Lie with me”signifies that it desired conjunction; “and he refused” signifiesaversion; “and said unto his lord’s wife” signifies perceptionconcerning this truth; “Behold, my lord knoweth not what is with