Arcana Coelestia, Vol. VII

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.

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 (as shown just above, 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 (as above, n. 4971).

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 (of which above, n. 4972). Hence "Jehovah's making it to prosper in his hand" denotes the Divine providence.

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" (see n. 2701, 3820, 4526).

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