3717. And I knew it not. That this signifies in an obscure state, is evident without explication; for “not to know,” or to be ignorant, signifies what is obscure as to the things which are of intellectual sight. From “not to know,” or to be ignorant, as signifying what is obscure; as also from “to awake out of sleep,” as signifying to be enlightened; it is evident what and of what nature is the internal sense of the Word; namely, that the things which are of the literal sense are such as appear before the external sight, or some other sense, and are also apprehended according to these senses; whereas the things which are of the internal sense are such as appear before the internal sight, or before some other sense of the internal man. The same things therefore that are contained in the literal sense, and that are apprehended by man according to the external senses, that is, according to things which are in the world, or according to an idea thence derived, are perceived by the angels according to the internal senses; that is, according to those things which are in heaven, or according to an idea thence derived. The former and the latter things stand related as do the things which are in the light of the world to those which are in the light of heaven; the things which are in the light of the world being dead in comparison with those which are in the light of heaven; for in the light of heaven there are wisdom and intelligence from the Lord (see n. 3636, 3643); and therefore when those things which are of the light of the world are obliterated or wiped away, there remain those which are of the light of heaven; thus instead of earthly there remain heavenly things, and instead of natural, spiritual; as in the case above, “not to know,” or to be ignorant, signifies to be in an obscure state concerning good and truth; and to “awake out of sleep” signifies to be enlightened; and so in all other cases.