Arcana Coelestia # 4445
4445. 'Because he had done something disgraceful in Israel by lying with Jacob's daughter, a thing that ought not to be done' means a joining together which in their eyes was not permissible, going against the truth which they possessed. This is clear from the meaning of 'doing something disgraceful by lying with Jacob's daughter' as a joining together that was not permissible. As regards lying with her and defiling her meaning a wrongful joining together, see above in 4439. The expression 'in Israel' is used because 'Israel' means the internal Church, and after that the expression 'Jacob's daughter' because 'Jacob' means the external aspect of the Church. For 'Israel' means the internal aspect of the Church and 'Jacob' the external, see 4286, 4292, 4439. Its seeming in their eyes to be a joining together that was not permissible, though in fact it was permissible, becomes clear from what has been stated and shown immediately above in 4444 and elsewhere.
Genesis 34:14-16
14
and said to them, "We can't do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised; for that is a reproach to us.
15
Only on this condition will we consent to you. If you will be as we are, that every male of you be circumcised;
16
then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
