3320. 'Let me sip now from the red [pottage]' means a desire for matters of doctrine, and 'this red [pottage]' means that which is seemingly good. This is clear from the meaning of 'sipping' as being communicated and joined to, dealt with in 3089 - and therefore 'let me sip now' is desiring the joining of truth or matters of doctrine to itself; and from the meaning of 'red' as good, dealt with in 3300, here that which is seemingly good, since these matters of doctrine, however they are grouped together, seem in outward appearance to be good, even though inwardly they are simply a massing together of them, 3316. A further reason why these details are given in the narrative here is that they show how Esau acquired the name Edom; for in the original language that which is red is called Edom, and this is in order that Edom may mean good to which matters of doctrine regarding truth are allied.

1822. That 'He said to him' means perception is clear from what has been stated above at verses 2 and 7. Perception itself is nothing else than a certain form of conversing that takes place inwardly, but which makes itself known whenever the spoken word is grasped perceptively. Every form of inward dictate, even conscience, is nothing else; but perception is a higher or more interior degree of it.