Spiritual Meaning of GENESIS 30:34-36
[2] An accurate distinction is made in the Word between the males and the females, as is evident from the sacrifices and burnt offerings, in relation to which a specific command was given as to what should be offered, whether a he-lamb or a she-lamb, whether a she-goat or a he-goat, whether a sheep or a ram, and so on; from all which it may be seen that one thing was signified by the male, and another by the female. By the "male" in general is signified truth; and by the "female" good. Here therefore by the "he-goats" are signified the truths of good; and by the "she-goats" presently mentioned, the goods that are adjoined to them. And as the difference between these is of such a nature, it is also said that he removed the party-colored he-goats, but not the speckled ones, as is said of the she-goats; for "party-colored" signifies truth scattered over and mingled with evils; whereas "speckled" signifies good scattered over and mingled with evils (n. 3993). Truth mingled with evils is properly of the understanding, but good mingled with evils is properly of the will. This is the difference. That all these are from the good signified by " Laban" is evident, because they were from Laban’s flock; for by a "flock" in the Word is signified good and truth, or what is the same, those who are in good and truth, and who are therefore of the Lord‘s church.
[3] This arcanum cannot be explained further, because it cannot become plain except to an apprehension instructed in truths and goods, and at the same time enlightened. For it must be known what the truths of good are, and what the goods that are from them; and also that from the one good here represented by Laban so many various things can be separated. They who have no knowledge of these subjects do not know that in every good there are innumerable things, so many in fact that they can scarcely be classified into general kinds by the most learned man. For there are goods that are procured by means of truths; there are truths born from these goods; and again goods procured by means of these truths. There are also truths born of goods, and this also in a series; there are goods that are mingled with evils; and truths that are mingled with falsities, as described above (n. 3993); and the minglings and temperings of these are so various and manifold as to exceed myriads of myriads; and they are also varied according to all the states of life; and the states of life are varied in general in accordance with the man’s age, and specifically in accordance with his affections of all kinds. From this it may in some measure be apprehended that from the good of Laban there could he separated so many various things; of which some were adjoined to the truths signified by the sons of Jacob; some were left behind; and from these others were derived. But as before said these things are of such a nature as not to fall into the understanding unless it is instructed and at the same time enlightened.
. And all the she-goats that were speckled and spotted. That this signifies their goods, in which evils and falsities were mingled, is evident from the signification of "she-goats," as being the goods of truth (n. 3995); here, the goods that had been adjoined to the truths (n. 4005); from the signification of "speckled," as being the goods with which evils are mingled; and from the signification of "spotted," as being the truths with which falsities are mingled (n. 3993, 3995). . Everyone that had white in it. That this signifies in which there is truth, is evident from the signification of "white," as being truth, but properly the Lord‘s righteousness and merit, and derivatively the Lord’s righteousness and merit in man (n. 3301, 3993). The reason why "white" has this signification, is that the light of heaven, which is from the Lord and is the source of brightness and whiteness, signifies truth; and therefore that which is enlightened by that light, and becomes shining and bright, is that which is called the Lord‘s righteousness and merit in man. They who from good acknowledge and receive the Lord’s righteousness, and reject their own righteousness, are they who are specifically signified by "righteous," concerning whom the Lord says in Matthew:--The righteous shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43).
[2] That "shining or bright white" has this signification, is evident also from other passages in the Word; as in Moses:--
His eyes shall be redder than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk (Gen. 49:12);
speaking of Judah, by whom is represented the Lord as to the Divine of His love; and in the internal sense, the celestial kingdom; and thus the celestial man (n. 3881). The "eyes being redder than wine" signifies the Divine Wisdom; and the "teeth whiter than milk," the Divine righteousness. In David:--
Thou shalt purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Ps. 51:7);
"to wash," and "to be made whiter than snow," denotes to be purified from sins by the reception and putting on of the Lord‘s righteousness. In John:--
In the midst of the seven candlesticks was one like unto the Son of man; His head and His hairs were white as white wool, as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire (Rev. 1:13, 14).
[3] In the same:--
Thou hast a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white garments (Rev. 3:4, 5).
In the same:--
I counsel thee to buy of Me gold purified in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments that thou mayest be clothed (Rev. 3:18).
Again:--
There were given to every soul under the altar white robes (Rev. 6:9-11).
Again:--
I saw them standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes. And one of the elders said unto me, Who are these clothed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they who come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made their robes white in the blood of the lamb (Rev. 7:9, 13, 14).
Again:--
Angels clothed in linen white and shining, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles (Rev. 15:6).
Again:--
I saw and behold a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow, and there was given unto him a crown (Rev. 6:2).
And again:--
Afterwards I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. His armies in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen white and clean (Rev. 19:11, 14).
[4] In all these passages by "white" is signified the truth of faith; the "white garments" and "white robes" being nothing else. But the truth of faith does not belong to those who believe that they have faith of themselves, and thus are wise from themselves; but to those who believe they have faith and wisdom from the Lord, for to these are faith and wisdom given because they ascribe nothing of truth and good to themselves, still less believe that they have merit through the truths and goods they possess; and less still that they are justified thereby; but only by ascribing them to the Lord; thus all things to His grace and mercy. This is "putting on white garments;" and is also "being made white in the blood of the Lamb." There are two things that are put off by all who enter into heaven, namely, their own and the consequent confidence, and the merit of self or of their own righteousness; and they put on a heavenly own which is from the Lord, and the Lord’s merit or righteousness; and the more they put on these, the more interiorly do they come into heaven. These two things are specifically signified by "red" and by "white;" by "red," the good of love which they then have; and by "white," the truth of faith.
. And all the black among the lambs. That this signifies an own that is innocent, is evident from what has been said above (n. 3994), where are the same words. . And gave them into the hand of his sons. That this signifies that the truths and goods that were separated were given to truths, is evident from the signification of "sons," as being truths (n. 489, 491, 533, 2623, 3373). "To give into their hand" is to give to their authority and disposal, for by the "hand" is signified power (n. 878, 3387). The truths here signified by "sons" are those called sensuous, because they are of the senses and are the outermost things of the natural mind. For man‘s natural communicates on the one side with the sensuous things of the body, and on the other side with the rational things of the rational mind. By these intermediates there is effected as it were an ascent from the sensuous things that are of the body and that have been opened toward the world, to the rational things that are of the rational mind and that have been opened toward heaven; and also a descent from these, that is, from heaven to the world; but this is effected in man only. This ascent and descent is that which is treated of in the internal sense of these chapters; and in order that each and all things may be presented representatively, the rational is represented by Isaac and Rebekah; the natural by Jacob and his two women; and the sensuous by their sons. But because in the sensuous, as in the ultimate of order, prior things exist together, as before shown every son represents some general in which they are. . And he set a way of three days between himself and Jacob. That this signifies that their state was altogether separated, is evident from the signification of "setting a way," as being to be separated; from the signification of "three," as being what is last, complete, or the end (n. 1825, 2788), and thus altogether separated; and from the signification of "days," as being states (n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462). . And Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks. That this signifies that from what was left he took those goods and truths that could be conjoined, is evident from the signification of "flocks," as being goods and truths (n. 343, 2566, 3767, 3768, 3772, 3783). That "to feed the rest of the flocks" denotes to take from what was left those goods and truths that could be conjoined, is evident from what follows, for there this is the subject treated of. GENESIS 30:34-36 previous - next - text - summary - Genesis - Full Page
| Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772). | Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002. | www.BibleMeanings.info |