9155. To see whether he hath put his hand to his companion’s work. That this signifies to see whether they have entered into good, is evident from the signification of “whether he hath put his hand,” as being whether good has caused to be of its own right and power; and from the signification of “in his companion’s work,” as being the truth and memory-knowledge which have been taken away; for the silver and vessels that were given to be taken care of, and were stolen, are what are called the “companion’s work.” (That the “silver and vessels” denote truths and memory-knowledges, see above, n. 9149) From this it is evident that by “to see whether the lord of the house hath put his hand to his companion’s work” is signified whether good has caused to be of its own right and power the truths and memory-knowledges that had been taken away; thus whether these had previously entered into good (according to what was shown just above, n. 9154). (That “the hand” denotes power, see n. 878, 3387, 4931-4937, 5296, 6292, 7188, 7189, 7518, 7673, 8153; also that “in the hand” denotes that which is with anyone and in anyone, n. 9133)

7518. Take to you in the fullness of your fists. That this signifies power given, as much as could be received, is evident from the signification of the “fists,” or palms of the hands, as being power; that the “fists,” or palms of the hands, denote power, is because the “hands” signify power (of which below); as much as can be received is signified by “fullness.” As regards the signification of the “fists,” or the palms of the hands, be it known that the arms in the Grand Man correspond to power; and from this not only do the arms themselves signify power, but also the shoulders, and likewise the hands, down to the fingers. (That the “arms” denote power, see n. 878, 4932, 4934, 4935, 7205; and the “shoulders,” n. 1085, 4937; and the “hands,” n. 878, 3387, 5327, 5328, 5544, 6292, 6947, 7011, 7188, 7189; also the “fingers,” n. 7430; for their correspondence in general, see above, n. 4931-4937.) The reason why all things that pertain to the arm correspond to power, is that the body exercises its power by means of them. From all this it can be seen what is signified by “sitting at the right hand, in Matthew”:

Jesus said, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand, in Matthew of power (Matthew 26:64);

From henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God (Luke 22:69);

namely, the omnipotence which is the Lord’s; and therefore it is said “at the right hand of power;” as also in David:

Thou hast a mighty arm, strong is Thy hand, exalted shall be Thy right hand (Psalms 89:13).

All this shows what light is given in the Word by the internal sense, for unless it were thereby known that by the “right hand” is signified power, it would be understood according to the words, that the Lord would sit at the right hand of Jehovah.