Swedenborg Works Vol. 11

...[that the effect was] near at hand, may be evident from the meaning original: "signification" of crying; it was said before that he could not restrain himself, which indicates that the effect was imminent.

5871. Cause every man to go out from me.

That this signifies that pieces of knowledge original: "knowledges," referring to factual information stored in the memory that are conflicting original: "not in agreement" and opposing original: "adverse" should be removed from the center original: "midst", is evident from the meaning of "every man from before him." These represent pieces of knowledge, because these men were Egyptians, who symbolize factual knowledge (see numbers 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, 5700, 5702). It follows that these pieces of knowledge were conflicting and opposing because they were cast out.

The situation is this: when a union original: "conjunction" is formed between the truths in the external or natural level of a person and the good in the internal mind—that is, when truths of faith are joined with the good of charity—then all those pieces of knowledge that do not agree, and especially those that oppose, are pushed away from the center to the sides. They move from the light in the center into the shade at the periphery. Once there, they are either not seen at all or are regarded as being of no importance.

However, from the harmonious and agreeing pieces of knowledge that remain, there is a kind of extraction and, so to speak, a sort of refinement original: "sublimation". This process gives rise to an inner understanding of things—a sense that a person does not clearly perceive while living in the physical body, except as a feeling of gladness, similar to how the mind is cheered by a bright morning. This is how the union of the truth of faith with the good of charity is achieved.

5872. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

That this signifies that no such pieces of knowledge were present when the celestial internal mind, by means of the intermediary original: "medium," referring here to Benjamin, joined itself to the truths in the natural mind, is evident from the explanation provided just above (number 5871). Therefore, it requires no further explanation.

5873. And he gave forth his voice in weeping.

That this signifies mercy and joy is evident from the meaning of...