Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 3595signifies aversion; “and it came to pass when he heard” signifieswhen it was perceived; “that I lifted up my voice and cried”signifies that there was great aversion; “that he left his garment byme” signifies a witness that it made an approach; “and fled and gothim out” signifies that nevertheless it separated itself.4999. And it came to pass. That this signifies a fourth state may beseen from what was said above (n. 4979, 4987).5000. As she spake to Joseph day by day. That this signifies thoughtconcerning this matter is evident from the signification of“speaking” as being to think (see n. 2271, 2287, 2619), namely,concerning Joseph, and therefore concerning that matter which ishere meant by “Joseph.” “Day by day,” or every day, meansintensely. “To speak” in the internal sense is to think, becausethought is interior speech; and when man thinks, he is thenspeaking with himself. Interior things are expressed in the sense ofthe letter by the exterior things which correspond.5001. That he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her. That thissignifies that it was averse to being conjoined is evident from thesignification of “hearkening not” as being not to listen or obey (n.2542, 3869), here to be averse to, because he was so far fromlistening that he left his garment and fled; and from thesignification of “lying by her,” as being to be conjoined unlawfully(n. 4989).5002. To be with her. That this signifies lest in this way it shouldbe united is evident from the signification of “being with” anyone,as being to be more closely conjoined, or to be united. That “to be”means to be united is because the very being of a thing is good, andall good is of love, which is spiritual conjunction or unition. Hencein the supreme sense the Lord is called being or Jehovah, becausefrom him is all the good which is of love or of spiritualconjunction. As heaven makes a one through love from him andthe reciprocal love to him through reception, and through mutuallove, it is therefore called a marriage, through which it is. It wouldbe similar with the church, if love and charity were the being of it.