5533. 'They and their father' means by the truths and the good of truth in the natural. This is clear from the representation of the sons of Jacob, to whom 'they' refers here, as the truths in the natural, dealt with in 5403, 5419, 5427, 5458, 5512; and from the representation of Jacob, to whom 'their father' refers here, as the good of truth which is also in the natural, dealt with in 3659, 3669, 3677, 3775, 4234, 4273, 4538. An explanation of what a discernment by truths and the good of truth in the natural is can indeed be given; but when that explanation passes into the understanding the matter will seem to be extremely obscure. Yet it will be seen in so to speak the clear light of day by spirits when it passes into their understanding. Such matters are for them some of the less hard to understand. This also makes clear to some extent the nature of the difference between a person's intelligence while he is in the world and the inferior light shining here and when he is in heaven and the superior light shining there.

4273. 'Jacob remained alone' means the good of truth, which had now been arrived at and was at this point the ultimate form of good. This is clear from the representation of 'Jacob' at this point as the good of truth. What 'Jacob' had represented has been shown in previous paragraphs, as also has the fact that he represented varying relationships of good and truth within the natural. For these exist together in one condition at the beginning of a process, in another during it, and in yet another at the end of it, 3775, 4234. At present he represents the good of truth. The reason for this representation is that the subject dealt with next is his wrestling, which in the internal sense means temptation, and that he was named Israel, after which he represents the celestial-spiritual man. And a further reason is that after that wrestling his reunion with Esau is described, by which the introduction of truth into good is meant. These are the reasons why 'Jacob' now represents the ultimate form of the good of truth within the natural.