7144. There is no straw given to thy servants. That this signifies that memory-knowledges containing truth are no longer furnished, is evident from the signification of “straw,” as being memory-knowledges the most general of all (see n. 7112), which, being like vessels that can be filled with truths (n. 4345, 4383, 5208, 7131), are called memory-knowledges, the containers of truth; from the signification of “not being given,” as being not to be furnished; and from the signification of “servants,” as being those who minister and perform a duty (of which just above, n. 7143).

7143. Saying, Wherefore doest thou this to thy servants? That this signifies that thus they could not perform the duty enjoined, is evident from the signification of a “servant,” as being one who ministers, and performs a duty; he is called a “servant” because he is of service, as occasionally occurs in the Word. That he is called a “servant” who obeys, see n. 1713; and that to “serve” denotes study, n. 3824, 3846; and as what now follows involves that they could not endure that service, it is plain that by “wherefore doest thou thus to thy servants?” is signified that thus they could not perform the duty enjoined.