6751. 'And he was a son to her' means that then first truths were attached to that affection. This is clear from the representation of Pharaoh's daughter, to whom 'to her' refers here, as an affection for factual knowledge, dealt with immediately above in 6750; and from the meaning of 'son' as truth, dealt with in 489, 491, 533, 2623, 3373, here first truth since 'being a son to her' is possessing first truths acquired through factual knowledge. For first truths are born from factual knowledge and so are like sons born from their mother, who is the affection for factual knowledge. And factual knowledge is the groundwork for truths composing the understanding and faith, see above in 6750. When a person is being regenerated matters of faith develop in him in almost the same way as things that are not matters of faith develop while he is growing up. While he is growing up sensory impressions compose the first level to be laid down, then known facts another level; and after that, grounded on these levels, the power of judgement grows, more fully with one person, less fully with another. While a person is being regenerated the general aspects of faith or the basic elements of the Church's teachings compose the level that is laid down first, then come particular aspects of that teaching and faith, and after that in successive stages things that are more and more internal. These are levels which the light of heaven shines on; and from this comes the power of understanding, and the ability to perceive the truth of faith and the good of charity.

3421. 'And he called them names' means the essential nature of them. This is clear from the meaning of 'calling the names' as the essential nature, dealt with in 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724, 3006, 3237. And since calling the names or the name means the essential nature, the expression calling without the addition of 'the name' therefore means in the internal sense of the Word to be of some such particular nature, as in Isaiah,

Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel and who came out of the waters of Judah. For they are called after the city of holiness, and upon the God of Israel they place their reliance. Isaiah 48:1-2.

Here 'being called after the city of holiness' stands for being of some particular nature. And in Luke,

Behold, you will conceive in the womb and will bear a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. Luke 1:31-32.

'Being called Son of the Most High' stands for His Essential Being (Esse).