Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 3603ultimate truth, that it had no truth by which to defend itself (onwhich subject see what was shown just above, n. 5008e).5010. And it came to pass when she saw. That this signifiesperception concerning this matter is evident from the significationof “seeing” as being perception (n. 2150, 3764, 4567, 4723).Concerning this matter is concerning the separation effected byultimate truth being no longer acknowledged, which is signified byhis “leaving his garment in her hand, and fleeing out” (as is plainfrom what was said above, n. 5008, 5009).5011. That she cried unto the men of her house. That this signifiesfalsities is evident from the signification of a “cry” as being falsity(see n. 2240); hence “to cry” is predicated of falsity. The “men ofher house” in the genuine sense are the truths of good, but in theopposite sense they are the falsities of evil. That the things whichPotiphar’s wife now tells to the men of the house, and afterward toher husband, are falsities is evident from her very words. Thatnatural truth, which is here the wife of Potiphar, after ultimatespiritual truth (which in its outmost appearance seems as ifconjoined with it) has been torn away, cannot but speak falsities, orthings contrary to the truth, may be seen above (n. 5008e).5012. And spake unto them, saying. That this signifies exhortationis evident from the signification of “saying” here, as beingexhortation; for “saying” in the internal sense is perception (see n.2862, 3395, 3509), and also communication (n. 3060, 4131); heretherefore, because it is said that she “cried,” and afterward that she“spake, saying,” vehement communication is meant, that is,exhortation to hear.5013. See, he hath brought us a Hebrew man. That this signifies aservant is evident from the signification of a “Hebrew man” asbeing predicated of service (n. 1703), and as is also clear from whatis said later, where Joseph is called a “Hebrew servant,” and alsosimply a “servant”: “the Hebrew servant whom thou hast broughtto us came to me” (verse 17); “according to these words did thyservant to me” (verse 19). That a “Hebrew man” here is a servant is