3133. 'And when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister' means the inclination of it. This is clear from the affection which these words hold within them and also which flows from the things that come before, for these bear witness to the inclination on the part of the affection for truth, represented here by 'Rebekah his sister'.

749. 'Male and female' means truth and good. This is clear from what has been stated already at Chapter 6:19 where 'male and female' have reference to birds, but 'male and mate' ¹ to beasts. The reason is also stated there, namely, that things of the will are married to those of the understanding, but less so those of the understanding regarded in themselves to those of the will. The former exist as male and mate ¹ but the latter as male and female. Now because here the subject first of all is the temptation of that man as regards things of the understanding, as has been stated, the phrase 'male and female' is used, and conflict, or temptation as regards things of the understanding, is meant.

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