6346. 'Light as water' means that faith alone does not possess such qualities, neither glory nor powerfulness. This is clear from the meaning of 'being light as water' as having no weight or worth. The fact that faith alone is meant, that is, faith separated from charity, is evident from the things mentioned in what follows that involve Reuben, and that involve Simeon and Levi. Those men - Reuben, Simeon, and Levi - are used here also to refer to faith alone or faith separated from charity.

'Issachar,' in an opposite sense, signifies merit-seeking good.

In Genesis 49:14, this signifies a reward or compensation for good works done from self-centered motives. (Apocalypse Revealed 358, 445[4])

'Issachar,' in the highest sense, signifies the divine good of truth, and truth of good. In a spiritual sense, he signifies celestial conjugial love, which is the love of goodness and truth. And in a natural sense, he signifies repayment, or giving rewards.