Spiritual Meaning of GENESIS 44:1-2
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AC 5731. Verses 1, 2. And he commanded him that was over his house, saying, Fill the men‘s bags with food, as much as they can carry, and put everyone’s silver in his bag‘s mouth. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the bag’s mouth of the youngest, and his grain silver. And he did according to the word of Joseph that he had spoken. "And he commanded him that was over his house, saying," signifies influx from himself; "Fill the men‘s bags with food," signifies into the natural with the good of truth; "as much as they can carry," signifies to sufficiency; "and put everyone’s silver in his bag‘s mouth," signifies together with truth anew in the exterior natural; "and put my cup, the silver cup, in the bag’s mouth of the youngest," signifies interior truth bestowed on the intermediate; "and his grain silver," signifies the truth of good; "and he did according to the word of Joseph that he had spoken," signifies that it was so done.

AC 5732. And he commanded him that was over his house, saying. That this signifies influx from himself, is evident from the signification of "commanding," as being influx (n. 5486); and from the signification of "him that was over his house," as being which communicated. That it was from himself, namely, from the internal celestial, which Joseph represents, is plain. That "to command" is influx, is because in heaven no one is commanded or ordered; but thought is communicated, and the other acts willingly in accordance therewith. Communication of thought together with a desire which wills that something be done, is influx, and on the part of the recipient is perception, and therefore by "commanding" is signified also perception (n. 3661, 3682).

[2] Moreover in heaven they not only think, but also talk together, but about things of wisdom; yet in their conversation there is nothing of command from one to another, for no one desires to be master and thereby to look upon another as a servant; but everyone desires to minister to and serve the others. From this it is plain what form of government there is in the heavens, which is described by the Lord in Matthew:--

and again:--

He does this who loves his neighbor from the heart, or who feels delight and blessedness in doing good to others for no selfish end; that is, who has charity toward the neighbor.

AC 5733. Fill the men‘s bags with food. That this signifies into the natural with the good of truth, is evident from the signification of a "bag," as being the exterior natural (n. 5497); and from the signification of "food," as being the good of truth (n. 5340, 5342, 5410, 5426, 5487, 5582, 5588, 5655). From this it is plain that by his "commanding him that was over his house to fill the men’s bags with food" is signified influx from himself into the natural with the good of truth. As the expressions "good of truth" and "truth of good" frequently occur, the difference between them shall be stated. He who does not know what the celestial church is relatively to the spiritual church, cannot possibly know this difference. The truth of good is of the celestial church, and the good of truth is of the spiritual church. With those who were of the celestial church, good was implanted in the will part, which is the proper seat of good, and from this good, that is, through this good from the Lord, they had a perception of truth; hence they had the truth of good. But with those who are of the spiritual church, good is implanted in the intellectual part by means of truth, for all truth is of the intellectual part, and through truth they are led to good, to do truth being their good; hence they have the good of truth. The latter is properly predicated of those who are of the spiritual church; yet the truth of good, although not properly, is also predicated of them, of which more will be said elsewhere.

AC 5734. As much as they can carry. That this signifies to sufficiency, may be seen without explication.

AC 5735. And put everyone‘s silver in his bag’s mouth. That this signifies together with truth anew in the exterior natural, is evident from the signification of "silver," as being truth (n. 1551, 2954, 5658); and from the signification of the "bag‘s mouth," as being the threshold of the exterior natural (n. 5497). What the exterior natural is, and what the interior, see (n. 4570, 5118, 5126, 5497, 5649). That it is truth anew, is because silver was once before placed in their bag’s mouth (Gen. 42:25, 27, 28, 35).

AC 5736. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the bag‘s mouth of the youngest. That this signifies interior truth bestowed on the intermediate, is evident from the signification of a "silver cup," as being the truth of faith that is from the good of charity (n. 5120), and because it is called "my cup," that is, Joseph’s, it is interior truth (as Benjamin represents the intermediate, also as to truth, he represents interior truth, (n. 5600, 5631), thus spiritual truth, (n. 5639); from the signification of the "bag‘s mouth," when predicated of Benjamin as the intermediate, as being where it is adjoined to the natural; for an intermediate to be an intermediate communicates with the external and with the internal (n. 5411, 5413, 5586), its exterior here being the natural; and from the representation of Benjamin, who is here the "youngest," as being the intermediate (n. 5411, 5413, 5443, 5688). From these things it is plain what is signified by Joseph’s putting his silver cup in Benjamin‘s bag.

AC 5737. And his grain silver. That this signifies the truth of good, is evident from the signification of "silver," as being truth (n. 1551, 2954, 5658); and from the signification of "grain," as being good (n. 5295, 5410); for the interior or spiritual truth which proceeds from the internal celestial, which is "Joseph," is the truth of good. What the truth of good is, see (n. 5733).

AC 5738. And he did according to the word of Joseph that he had spoken. That this signifies that it was so done, is evident without explication.

Author:  E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design:  I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.

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