Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 4789

Previous Number Next Number Next Translation See Latin 

4789. 'To Potiphar, Pharaoh's bedchamber-servant' means facts of a more internal kind. This is clear from the meaning of 'a bedchamber-servant' as things that are more internal, dealt with below, and from the representation of 'Pharaoh' as facts - for 'Egypt' means knowledge in general, as shown in 1164, 1165, 1186, 1462, and so likewise does 'Pharaoh' because in the Word what is meant by a land or nation is also meant by its king since he is head of the nation. The reason facts of a more internal kind are meant by 'Pharaoh's bedchamber-servant' is that bedchamber-servants belonged among a king's more intimate assistants; for they were his more intimate courtiers and higher-ranking officials, as is also evident from the meaning of the word used in the original language.


This page is part of the Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg

© 2000-2001 The Academy of the New Church