6503. To embalm his father. That this signifies lest it should be infected with any contagion, is evident from the signification of “embalming,” as being a means of preserving from contagion; and from the representation of Israel, as being the good of the spiritual church (see n. 6499). Hence it is evident that by “embalming his father” is signified a means of preservation lest the good that belongs to the spiritual church should be infected with any contagion. The reason why “to embalm” signifies a means of preservation from contagion, is that the purpose of embalming bodies was to preserve them from putrefying. The means of the preservation of spiritual good from contagion is treated of in what now follows.

6499. And Joseph fell upon the faces of his father. That this signifies the influx of the internal into the affection of good, is evident from the signification of “falling upon the faces” of anyone, as being influx; from the representation of Joseph, as being the internal (see n. 5805, 5826, 5827, 5869, 5877, 6177, 6224); from the signification of the “face,” as being affection (n. 4796, 4797, 5102); and from the representation of Israel, who is here the “father,” as being spiritual good, or the good of truth (n. 3654, 4598, 5801, 5803, 5806, 5812, 5817, 5819, 5826, 5833). Hence it is evident that by “Joseph fell upon the faces of his father” is signified the influx of the internal into the affection of spiritual good. That the influx of the internal into the affection of spiritual good is signified, is because in the internal sense the subject treated of is the spiritual church, that it was instituted by the Lord; for by “Israel” is signified the good of truth, or spiritual good, and this good makes the spiritual church, wherefore also by “Israel” this church is signified (n. 4286, 6426). In order that this good may come into existence, there must be influx from the internal celestial, which is represented by Joseph; for without influx from this, spiritual good is not good, because it is of no affection. In what follows in the internal sense the institution of this church is continued (n. 6497). That this church is described by Israel now dead and presently to be buried, is because in the internal sense by “death” is not signified death, nor by “burial” burial, but by “death” is signified new life (n. 3498, 3505, 4618, 4621, 6036), and by “burial” regeneration (n. 2916, 2917, 5551).