Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 3791

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

3791. Verses 9-11 While he was still speaking to them Rachel came with the flock which was her father's, for she was a shepherdess. And so it was, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the flock of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob came near and rolled the stone from over the mouth of the well, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.

'While he was still speaking to them' means thought during that time. 'Rachel came with the flock' means the affection for interior truth belonging to the Church and to doctrine. 'Which was her father's' means from good in origin. 'For she was a shepherdess' means that the affection for interior truth contained in the Word is that which teaches. 'And so it was, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother' means an acknowledgement of the affection for that truth as to its origin. 'And the flock of Laban his mother's brother' means the Church and doctrine from that origin. 'That Jacob came near and rolled the stone from over the mouth of the well' means that the Lord, by virtue of natural good, disclosed the interior contents of the Word. 'And watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother' means instruction. 'And Jacob kissed Rachel' means love directed towards interior truths. 'And lifted up his voice and wept' means the warmth of love.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church