Swedenborg Works Vol. 11

GENESIS [Paragraph No. 5877]

5877. ...representation of Joseph as the heavenly internal original: "celestial internal," referring to the highest part of the human spirit which receives influence directly from the Divine—about which see just above (no. 5869); and from the representation of the ten sons of Jacob, who are the brothers here, as truths in the natural mind original: "the natural," referring to the lower or outer level of the mind (no. 5403, 5419, 5458, 5512).

Thus, the internal sense is that the heavenly internal gave the ability to perceive to truths in the natural mind. In this context, "saying" signifies giving the ability to perceive. This is because the subject that follows is the joining together of the heavenly internal, which is Joseph, with truths in the natural mind, which are the sons of Jacob. When this joining occurs, the ability to perceive is given—specifically through an affection for truth, and through that, an affection for goodness.

5878. I am Joseph signifies a revealing of himself original: "manifestation", as is evident without further explanation.

5879. Does my father still live? That this signifies the presence of spiritual good from the natural mind is evident from the representation of Israel, who here is the father, as spiritual good from the natural (see no. 5801, 5803, 5807, 5812, 5817, 5819, 5826, 5833). It has already been shown (no. 4286) that this good comes from the natural mind. This meaning is also evident from the phrase "does he still live?" which signifies its presence.

For Joseph's first thought, when he revealed himself, was about his father, whom he knew to be living. Therefore, the father was first present in his thoughts, and remained continuously present afterward while he spoke to his brothers. The reason for this is that the joining of the heavenly internal (Joseph) with the truths in the natural mind (the sons of Jacob) cannot be achieved except through spiritual good from the natural mind (Israel). When this joining is finished, they are no longer called the "sons of Jacob," but the "sons of Israel," for the "sons of Israel" represent spiritual truths in the natural mind.

5880. And his brothers could not answer him. That this signifies that truths in the natural mind were not yet in a state to express themselves original: "to speak" is evident from the representation of the sons of Jacob, who are Joseph's brothers here, as truths in...