6646. And all his brethren, and all that generation. That this signifies with the external also in particular and in general, is evident from the representation of the sons of Jacob who are here the “brethren,” as being the truths of the church in the natural (n. 5403, 5419, 5427, 5458, 5512); thus its external; and from the signification of “that generation,” as being the external of the church in general, for “generation” here involves the same as the “brethren of Joseph,” but in a relatively general sense.

6593. And Joseph died. That this signifies that the internal of the church ceased to be, is evident from the signification of “dying,” as being to cease to be such as before (see n. 494, 6587); and from the representation of Joseph, as being the internal (see n. 6499). (As regards the quality of the church when the internal has ceased, see above, n. 6587, 6592)