Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 3970Word; for things are what are signified by persons, and the thingsthemselves have reference to one subject.5472. And Reuben answered them, saying. That this signifiesperception still from faith in doctrine and in the understanding isevident from the signification of “answering” or “saying” to hisbrethren as being perception (that “saying” denotes perception maybe seen above, n. 5468); and from the representation of Reuben asbeing faith in doctrine and in the understanding, or the truth ofdoctrine through which the good of life can be attained (see n.3861, 3866). As the subject here treated of is the entreaty of good,or of the Divine in good, to be received, mention is made of faith,and the way in which it teaches concerning the reception of good;for if when a man recedes from good he feels any anxiety, this is notfrom any innate dictate, but from the faith he has acquired frominfancy, and which then dictates and causes this anxiety. This is thereason why Reuben, by whom this faith is represented, here speaks.It is called faith in doctrine and in the understanding, todistinguish it from faith in life and in the will, which faith isrepresented by Simeon.5473. Spoke I not unto you, saying. That this signifies the degreeof perception thence is evident from the signification of “saying” inthe historicals of the Word as being perception (see n. 1791, 1815,1819, 1822, 1898, 1919, 2080, 2619, 3509); and because“speaking” or “saying” is twice mentioned, as also just above, it isthe degree of perception that is signified.5474. Do not sin against the child. That this signifies that theyshould not be disjoined, namely, the external from the internal, isevident from the signification of “sinning” as being disjunction (seen. 5229) for all sin disjoins; and from the representation of Joseph,who is here the “child,” as being the internal (as above, n. 5469).5475. And ye would not hearken. That this signifies nonreceptionis evident from the signification of “hearing,” or “hearkening,” asbeing to obey (see n. 2542, 3869, 4652–4660, 5017); and becauseit denotes to obey, it also denotes to receive (as above, n. 5471); for