4756. And there passed by men, Midianites, merchantmen. That this signifies those who are in the truth of this good, is evident from the representation of the Midianites, as being those who are in the truth of simple good (seen. 3242); and from the signification of “merchantmen,” as being those who have the knowledges of good and truth; for these in the spiritual sense are “riches,” “wealth,” and “merchandise.” Hence “to trade” is to procure and to communicate these knowledges (n. 2967, 4453). Here it is not the knowledges of good that are signified, but the knowledges of truth; for the “Midianites” are those who are in the truth of simple good, as before said; and from this also they are called “men” [viri], for those are so called who are in truth (n. 3134, 3309). From the historical series it is evident that Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites, but that he was drawn out of the pit by the Midianites, and was also sold by the Midianites in Egypt to Potiphar, for in the last verse of this chapter it is said, “and the Midianites sold him to Egypt unto Potiphar, Pharaoh’s chamberlain.” It may be supposed that as Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites, he was sold in Egypt by them, and not by the Midianites; but still this was brought to pass for the sake of the representation of the things in the internal sense; for Joseph (that is, Divine truth) cannot be sold by those who are in good, but by those who are in the truth of this good. The reason will be seen in the explication of the last verse of this chapter.

2712. He dwelt in the wilderness of Paran. That this signifies the life of the spiritual man as to good, is evident from the signification of “dwelling,” as being predicated of the good of truth, or of spiritual good, that is, of the good of the spiritual man. What its quality is, is described by his “dwelling in the wilderness of Paran” which is to be treated of presently. That “to dwell” is predicated of the good, that is, of the affection, of truth, is evident from many passages in the Word where cities are treated of, by which truths are signified, and as being without an inhabitant, by whom good is signified (n. 2268, 2450, 2451); for truths are inhabited by good; and truths without good are like a city in which there is no one dwelling. So in Zephaniah:

I have made their streets waste, that none passeth by; their cities are desolated, so that there is no inhabitant (Zeph. 3:6).

[2] In Jeremiah:

Jehovah led us through the wilderness, where no man passed through, and where no man dwelt; they had made his land a waste, his cities are burned up, so that there is no inhabitant (Jeremiah 2:6, 15).

In the same:

Every city is forsaken, and no one dwelleth therein (Jeremiah 4:29).

In the same:

In the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast (Jeremiah 33:10);

“streets” denote truths (n. 2336); “without man” denotes no celestial good; “without inhabitant,” no spiritual good; and “without beast,” no natural good. In the same:

The cities of Moab shall become a desolation, without any to dwell therein (Jeremiah 48:9).

[3] In the Prophets in every expression there is the marriage of truth and good; and therefore where a city is said to be desolate, it is also added that there is no inhabitant in it; for the reason that the city signifies truths, and the inhabitant good; otherwise it would be superfluous to say that there was no inhabitant, when it has been said that the city was desolate. So likewise the expressions are constant that signify the things of celestial good, those of spiritual good, and those of truth; as in Isaiah:

Thy seed shall possess the nations, and they shall dwell in the desolate cities (Isaiah 54:3); where to “possess” is predicated of celestial goods; and to “dwell in,” of spiritual good. In the same:

Mine elect shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there (Isaiah 65:9); where the signification is the same.

[4] In David:

God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah and they shall dwell there, and shall possess it; the seed also of His servants shall inherit it, and they that love His name shall dwell therein (Psalms 69:35-36);

“dwelling” and at the same time “possessing,” is predicated of celestial good; but “dwelling,” of spiritual good.

In Isaiah:

Saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited, and to the cities of Judah, ye shall be built (Isaiah 44:26); where “dwelling,” or “inhabiting,” is predicated of the good of the spiritual church, which is “Jerusalem.” To such a degree are the expressions in the Word predicated of their own goods and their own truths, that merely from a knowledge of the predication of these expressions it can be known what subject in general is treated of.