Spiritual Meaning of GENESIS 39:2-6
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AC 4970. Verses 2-6. And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his lord the Egyptian. And his lord saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his eyes, and he ministered to him; and he set him over his house, and all that he had he gave into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he set him over in his house, and over all that he had, that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian‘s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of Jehovah was in all that he had, in the house and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph‘s hand; and he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was beautiful in form, and beautiful in look. "And Jehovah was with Joseph," signifies that the Divine was in the celestial of the spiritual; "and he was a prosperous man," signifies that all things were provided; "and he was in the house of his lord the Egyptian," signifies that it might be initiated into natural good; "and his lord saw that Jehovah was with him," signifies that it was perceived in natural good that the Divine was therein; "and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand," signifies that all things were of the Divine providence; "and Joseph found grace in his eyes," signifies that it was accepted; "and he ministered to him," signifies that the memory-knowledge was appropriated to its good; "and he set him over his house," signifies that good applied itself thereto; "and all that he had he gave into his hand," signifies that all that belonged to it was as it were in its power; "and it came to pass from the time that he set him over in his house, and over all that he had," signifies a second state after good applied itself thereto, and all that belonged to it was as it were in its power; "that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph‘s sake," signifies that from the Divine it then had the celestial natural; "and the blessing of Jehovah," signifies increase; "was in all that he had, in the house and in the field," signifies in life and in doctrine; "and he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand," signifies that it appeared as if all things were in its power; "and he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did cat," signifies that good was thence made its own; "and Joseph was beautiful in form," signifies the good of life thence derived; "and beautiful in look," signifies the truth of faith thence derived.

AC 4971. And Jehovah was with Joseph. That this signifies that the Divine was in the celestial of the spiritual, is evident from the representation of Joseph, as being the celestial of the spiritual from the rational (n. 4963); and because the subject treated of is the Lord here as to the internal man in His Human - by "Jehovah was with him" is signified that the Divine was therein; for the Divine was in His Human, because He was conceived of Jehovah. In the case of the angels, the Divine is not in them, but is present with them, because they are only forms recipient of the Divine from the Lord.

AC 4972. And he was a prosperous man. That this signifies that all things were provided, is evident from the signification of "being prosperous," when said of the Lord, as being that it was provided, namely, that He should be enriched with all good.

AC 4973. And he was in the house of his lord the Egyptian. That this signifies that it might be initiated into natural good, is evident from the signification of a "lord," as being good, of which presently; and from the signification of an "Egyptian," as being memory-knowledge in general, and hence the natural (n. 4967). That to be "in a house" is to be initiated, is because a "house" is the mind in which good is (n. 3538), here the natural mind; and moreover "house" is predicated of good (n. 3652, 3720). There is in man a natural mind and a rational mind; the natural mind is in his external man, the rational mind in his internal. Memory-knowledges are the truths of the natural mind, which are said to be "in their house" when they are conjoined there with good; for good and truth constitute together one house, as husband and wife. But the goods and truths here treated of are interior; for they correspond to the celestial of the spiritual from the rational, which is represented by Joseph. The interior corresponding truths in the natural mind are applications to uses, and the interior goods therein are uses.

[2] The name "Lord" is often used in the Word; and one who has no knowledge of the internal sense supposes that nothing more is meant by it than what is meant by the use of this term in common speech; but "Lord" is never used in the Word except where good is treated of, and the same is true of "Jehovah;" but when truth is treated of, "God" and "King" are used. For this reason by a "lord" is signified good, as is evident from the following passages. In Moses:--

In David:--

where Jehovah or the Lord is called "God of gods" from the Divine truth which proceeds from Him, and "Lord of lords" from the Divine good which is in Him.

[3] So in the Revelation:--

And again:--

that the Lord is here called "King of kings" from Divine truth, and "Lord of lords" from Divine good, is plain from the particulars; the "name written" is His quality (n. 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724, 3006); the "vesture" on which it was written is the truth of faith (n. 1073, 2576, 4545, 4763); the "thigh" on which also that quality was written, is the good of love (n. 3021, 4277, 4280, 4575). From this also it is plain that the Lord from Divine truth is called "King of kings" and from Divine good "Lord of lords." The Lord is called "King" from Divine truth, (n. 2015, 2069, 3009, 3670, 4581),

[4] From this it is also clear what is meant by the "Lord‘s Christ," in Luke:--

the "Lord‘s Christ" is the Divine truth of the Divine good; for "Christ" is the same as "Messiah," and "Messiah" is the "Anointed" or "King" (n. 3008, 3009). "The Lord" here is Jehovah. In the Word of the New Testament the name "Jehovah" is nowhere used; but instead of it "Lord" and "God" (n. 2921); as also in Luke:--

The same passage reads thus in David:--

It is plain that "Jehovah" in David is called "Lord" in the Evangelist. "Lord" there denotes the Divine good of the Divine Human; omnipotence is signified by "sitting at the right hand" (n. 3387, 4592, 4933).

[5] When the Lord was in the world He was Divine truth; but when He was glorified, that is, when He had made the Human in Himself Divine, He became Divine good, from which thereafter Divine truth proceeds. For this reason the disciples after the resurrection did not call Him "Master," as before, but "Lord," as is evident in (John 21:7, 12, 15-17, 20), and also in the rest of the Evangelists. The Divine truth, which the Lord was when in the world, and which thereafter proceeds from Him, that is, from the Divine good, is called also "the angel of the covenant," in Malachi:--

[6] As Divine good is meant by "Lord," and Divine truth by "King," therefore where the Lord is spoken of as having dominion and a kingdom, "dominion" is predicated of Divine good, and a "kingdom" of Divine truth, and therefore also the Lord is called "Lord of nations," and "King of peoples;" for by "nations" are signified those who are in good, and by "peoples" those who are in truth (n. 1259, 1260, 1849, 3581).

[7] Good is called a "lord" relatively to a servant, and it is called a "father" relatively to a son-as in Malachi:--

And in David:--

that by "Joseph" here is meant the Lord, is evident from the several particulars; the "lord" here is the Divine good of the Divine Human.

AC 4974. And his lord saw that Jehovah was with him. That this signifies that it was perceived in natural good that the Divine was therein, is evident from the signification of "seeing," as being understanding and perceiving (n. 2150, 3764, 4339, 4567, 4723); and from the signification of "lord," as being good (n. 4973), here natural good, because it is an Egyptian who is here the "lord." That the Divine was therein, is signified by Jehovah being with him (n. 4971).

AC 4975. And that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand. That this signifies that all things were of the Divine providence, is evident from the signification of "being made to prosper" as being to be provided (n. 4972). Hence "Jehovah‘s making it to prosper in his hand" denotes the Divine providence.

AC 4975a. And Joseph found grace in his eyes. That this signifies that it was accepted, namely, by natural good, which is signified by his "lord," is evident from the signification of "finding grace in one’s sight," as being to be accepted. It is said "in the eyes," because grace is predicated of the understanding, and this is signified by the "eyes" (n. 2701, 3820, 4526).

AC 4976. And he ministered unto him. That this signifies that the memory-knowledge was appropriated to its good, is evident from the signification of "ministering," as being to be of service by supplying that which another needs, here to be appropriated, because the subject treated of is natural good to which memory-knowledge was to be appropriated. Moreover, "to minister" is predicated of memory-knowledges; for in the Word by a "minister‘ and by a "servant" is signified memory-knowledge or natural truth, because this is subordinate to good, as to its lord. Memory-knowledge relatively to the delight of the natural man, or what is the same thing, natural truth relatively to its good, is circumstanced exactly as is water to bread, or drink to food. Water or drink causes bread and food to be diluted, so that they may be conveyed into the blood, and thence into all parts of the body, to nourish them; for without water or drink, bread or food is not resolved into its minute particles, nor is it distributed for use.

AC 4977. And he set him over his house. That this signifies that good applied itself thereto, is evident from the signification of the "lord," who set him over, as being good (n. 4973); and from the signification of "setting him over his house," as being to apply itself thereto, namely, to memory-knowledge or natural truth. That this is the meaning is plain from the words that follow, where it is said that "all that he had he gave into his hand," by which is signified that all that belonged to it was as it were in its power. For good is lord, and truth is minister; and when it is said of a lord that he "set a minister over," or of good that it "set truth over," in the internal sense it is not signified that it ceded the dominion thereto, but that it applied itself. For in the internal sense a thing is perceived as it is in itself; but in the sense of the letter it is set forth according to the appearance; for good always has the dominion, but applies itself in order that truth may be conjoined with it. When man is in truth, as is the case before he has been regenerated, he knows scarcely anything about good; for truth flows in by an external or sensuous way, but good by an internal way. Man is sensible of that which flows in by an external way, but not, until he has been regenerated, of that which flows in by an internal way; so that unless in the prior state a sort of dominion were given to truth, or unless good so applied itself, truth would never be made good-’s own. This is the same as what has already been often shown-that while man is being regenerated truth is apparently in the first place, or as it were the lord; but that good is manifestly in the first place and lord when he has been regenerated (n. 3539, 3548, 3556, 3563, 3570, 3576, 3603, 3701, 4925, 4926, 4928, 4930).

AC 4978. And all that he had he gave into his hand. That this signifies that all that belonged to it was as it were in its power, is evident from the signification of the "hand," as being power (n. 878, 3091, 3387, 3563, 4931-4937) Thus "to put into his hand" is to put into its power; but as this is done only apparently, it is said as it were in its power. It is only apparently, or as it were, (n. 4977),

AC 4979. And it came to pass from the time that he set him over in his house, and over all that he had. That this signifies a second state, after good applied itself thereto, and all that belonged to it was as it were in its power, is evident from the signification of the expression "it came to pass," or "it was," so often found in the Word, as involving something new, and consequently another state, as likewise in the following (verses 7, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 19); and from the signification of "from the time that he set him over in his house," as being after good had applied itself thereto (n. 4977); and from the signification of "over all that he had," as being that all that belonged to it was as it were in its power (n. 4978).

AC 4980. That Jehovah blessed the Egyptian‘s house for Joseph’s sake. That this signifies that from the Divine it then had the celestial natural, is evident from the signification of "being blessed," as being to be enriched with celestial and spiritual good, and that it was from the Divine is signified by its being said that "Jehovah blessed;" and from the signification of the "Egyptian‘s house," as being the good of the natural mind (n. 4973). Hence it follows that by "Jehovah blessed the Egyptian’s house" is signified that from the Divine it then had the celestial natural. The celestial natural is the good in the natural which corresponds to the good of the rational, that is, which corresponds to the celestial of the spiritual from the rational, which is "Joseph" (n. 4963).

[2] The celestial as well as the spiritual is predicated of both the rational and the natural, that is, of the internal man, which is the rational man, and of the external, which is the natural man; for in its essence the spiritual is the Divine truth which proceeds from the Lord, and the celestial is the Divine good which is in this Divine truth. When Divine truth in which is Divine good is received by the rational or internal man, it is called the spiritual in the rational; and when received by the natural or external man, it is called the spiritual in the natural. In like manner when the Divine good which is in Divine truth is received by the rational or internal man, it is called the celestial in the rational; and when received by the natural or external man, it is called the celestial in the natural. Both flow in with man from the Lord immediately, as well as mediately through angels and spirits; but with the Lord when He was in the world, the inflow was from Himself, because the Divine was in Him.

AC 4981. And the blessing of Jehovah. That this signifies increasings, is evident from the signification of the "blessing of Jehovah." The "blessing of Jehovah" in the genuine sense signifies love to the Lord and charity toward the neighbor; for they who are gifted with these are called the "blessed of Jehovah," being then gifted with heaven and eternal salvation. Hence the "blessing of Jehovah," in the external sense or in the sense which relates to the state of man in the world, is to be content in God, and thence to be content with the state of honor and wealth in which one is, whether it be among the honored and rich, or among the less honored and poor; for he who is content in God regards honors and riches as means for uses; and when he thinks of them and at the same time of eternal life, he regards the honor and riches as of no importance, and eternal life as essential. Because the "blessing of Jehovah," or of the Lord, in the genuine sense involves these things, "blessing" also contains numberless things within it, and hence signifies various things which follow therefrom; as to be enriched with spiritual and celestial good (n. 981, 1731); to be made fruitful from the affection of truth (n. 2846); to be disposed in heavenly order (n. 3017); to be gifted with the good of love, and so to be conjoined with the Lord (n. 3406, 3504, 3514, 3530, 3584); and joy (n. 4216). What therefore "blessing" signifies specifically may be seen from the series of the things that precede and that follow. That here the "blessing of Jehovah" signifies increasings in good and truth, or in life and doctrine, is plain from the words that follow, for it is said "the blessing of Jehovah was in the house and in the field," and by a "house" is signified the good which is of the life, and by a "field" the truth which is of doctrine. From this it is plain that increasings in these things is here signified by the "blessing of Jehovah."

AC 4982. Was upon all that he had in the house and in the field. That this signifies in life and in doctrine, is evident from the signification of "house," as being good (n. 2048, 2233, 2559, 3128, 3652, 3720), and because it signifies good, it signifies also life, for all good is of life; and from the signification of "field," as being the truth of the church (n. 368, 3508, 3766, 4440, 4443), and because it signifies the truth of the church, it signifies also doctrine, for all truth is of doctrine. "House" and "field" are occasionally mentioned in other parts of the Word, and when the subject treated of is the celestial man, by "house" is signified celestial good, and by "field" spiritual good. Celestial good is the good of love to the Lord, and spiritual good is the good of charity toward the neighbor. But when the spiritual man is treated of, by "house" is signified the celestial that is in him, which is the good of charity toward the neighbor; and by "field," the spiritual that is in him, which is the truth of faith. Both the one and the other are signified in Matthew: "Let him that is upon the housetop not go down to take anything that is in his house, and let him that is in the field not return back to take his garment (Matt. 24:17, 18); (n. 3852).

AC 4983. And he left all that he had in Joseph‘s hand. That this signifies that it appeared as if all things were in its power, is evident from the things above unfolded (n. 4978), where almost the same words occur, and also from what was said in (n. 4977).

AC 4984. And he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did eat. That this signifies that good was thence made its own, is evident from the signification of "bread," as being good (n. 276, 680, 3478, 3735, 4211, 4217, 4735); and from the signification of "eating," as being to make one’s own (n. 3165, 3513, 3596, 3832, 4745). His "not knowing aught that was with him save the bread" signifies that nothing was received but good. It may be believed that when good makes truth its own, it is such truth as is the truth of faith that it makes its own; but it is the good of truth. Truths which are not for use do indeed approach, but do not enter. All uses from truths are goods of truth. Truths which are not for use are separated; some being retained, and some rejected. Those which are retained are such as introduce to a good more or less remote, and are the very uses. Those which are rejected are such as do not so introduce, nor apply, themselves. In their beginning all uses are truths of doctrine, but in their progression they become goods; they become goods when the man acts according to these truths. Thus the ear action gives quality to truths, for all action descends from the will, and the will itself makes that become good which before was truth. From this it is plain that truth in the will is no longer the truth of faith, but the good of faith; and that no one is made happy by the truth of faith, but by the good of faith; for this affects the very thing which is of man‘s life, namely, his will, and gives it interior delight or bliss, and in the other life the happiness which is called heavenly joy.

AC 4985. And Joseph was beautiful in form, signifies the good of life thence derived, and beautiful in look, signifies the truth of faith thence derived, as is evident from the signification of "beautiful in form" and "beautiful in look;" for "form" is the essence of a thing, and "look" is the manifestation thence derived; and because good is the 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 very being of man, because it is of his will; and the truth of faith is the coming forth thence derived, because it is of his understanding; for whatever is of the understanding comes forth from the will. The being of man’s life is in his willing, and the coming forth of his life is in his understanding. The understanding of man is nothing else than the will unfolded, and so put in form that its quality may appear in its look. From this it is plain whence is the beauty (that is, of the interior man), namely, from the good of the will through the truth of faith. The very truth of faith presents beauty in the external form, but the good of the will imparts and forms it. From this it is that the angels of heaven are of ineffable beauty, being as it were loves and charities in form; and therefore when they appear in their beauty, they affect the inmosts. With them, the good of love from the Lord shines forth through the truth of faith, and as it penetrates it affects. Hence it is evident what is signified in the internal sense by "beautiful in form and beautiful in look" (n. 3821).

Author:  E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design:  I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.

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