10021. 'And you shall bring the young bull' means a state in which the natural or external man, as this is in its infancy, applies itself. This is clear from the meaning of 'bringing near' as effecting presence and togetherness, dealt with in 9378, 9997, 10001, and also application, 8439, at this point applying oneself to purification and to the reception of goodness and truth from the Divine, because by this sacrifice and by sacrifices generally such application is meant; and from the meaning of 'the young bull' as the good of charity and innocence in the natural or external man, dealt with in 9391, thus the external or natural man as this is in its infancy, for at this time the good of innocence reigns there. While in this state the external man is also in a state of applying itself to purification and to the reception of goodness and truth from the Divine.

[2] Since these matters are now the subject in the internal sense the nature of them must be mentioned. When a person is being regenerated, which happens when he has reached adult life, he is first let into a state of innocence, but a state of external innocence almost like young children's; for their innocence is an external innocence that resides in lack of knowledge. This state serves as the basis for new life while the person is being regenerated; for at this time also the person is a young child so to speak, in that while being regenerated he is conceived anew, born, becomes a young child, and grows up, all of which is accomplished through truth implanted in good. Also to the extent that he comes at this time into authentic good he passes on into the good of internal innocence, which is innocence residing in wisdom. And since the regeneration of a person is an image of the glorification of the Lord, it is evident that the manner in which the Lord glorified Himself, that is, made Divine His Human, is the same. For the subject in the internal sense of this chapter is the glorification of the Lord, 9985; but since the glorification of the Lord's Human is beyond understanding the likeness or image of it must be used to explain it and so give some idea of it. These things have been mentioned first so that people may know what to understand by purification and by reception of goodness and truth, and by joining together the things that are meant by sacrifices generally, and at this point specifically by the sacrifices offered at the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priestly office.

The regeneration of a person is an image of the glorification of the Lord, see 3138, 3212, 3296, 3490, 4402, 5688.

Young children's innocence is an external innocence, and it resides in lack of knowledge, 2305, 2306, 3494, 3504, 4563, 4797, 5608, 9301.

A person who is being regenerated is conceived anew, born, becomes a young child, then an older one, and grows up, 3203.

The innocence of early childhood serves as a basis, 2780, 3183, 3994, 4797, 5608, 7840.

Cognitions or knowledge of truth and good are implanted in the innocence which belongs to early childhood as their basis, 1616, 2299, 3504, 4797.

The innocence of those who have been regenerated is an internal innocence, and it resides in wisdom, 1616, 3494, 3994, 4797, 5608, 9301, 9938.

The difference between external innocence which young children possess and internal innocence which the wise possess, 2280, 4563, 9301.

The nature of the difference becomes clear from the upbringing and regeneration of children in the next life, dealt with in 2289-2309.

All the good of the Church and heaven holds innocence within itself, and without it good is not good, 2736, 2780, 6013, 7840, 7887, 9262.

What innocence is, 3994, 4001, 4797, 5236, 6107, 6765, 7902, 9262, 9936.

6179. 'Put now your hand under my thigh' means a sacred bond. This is clear from the meaning of 'putting a hand under the thigh' as a bond established through what is connected with conjugial love, by all one's power, for 'hand' means power, 878, 3091, 4931-4937, 5728, 5544, and 'thigh' what is connected with conjugial love, dealt with in 3021, 4277, 4280, 4575, 5050, 5062. The conjugial relationship in the supreme sense is the union within the Lord of the Divine and the Divine Human. From this it is the union of Divine Good and Divine Truth in heaven, for what goes forth from the Lord is Divine Truth from Divine Good. This is why heaven is heaven and is called a marriage, for the existence there of goodness and truth joined together, which go forth from the Lord, is what makes heaven. Also, since the Lord is the good there, and heaven is the truth from it, the Lord is in the Word called 'the bridegroom', while heaven and also the Church is called 'the bride'. For goodness and truth constitute a marriage, and the existence of the two joined together is meant by the conjugial relationship. From this one may see how sacred it to be bound by what is of a conjugial nature, meant by 'putting a hand under the thigh'. From that marriage, the marriage of goodness and truth, genuine conjugial love comes down, regarding which love and its holiness, see 2727-2759.