3852. 'And he served with him yet another seven years' means holy diligent effort. This is clear from the meaning of 'serving' as diligent effort, dealt with in 3824, 3846, and from the meaning of 'seven' as that which is holy, dealt with in 395, 433, 716, 881, 3824. The expression 'holy diligent effort' is used for that effort by means of which internal truths are joined to good, for internal truths in every case regard the Lord and are joined to a person by means of love to Him. This love is holiness itself.

881. 'Seven' means that which is holy because now charity is the subject. This is clear from the meaning of the number seven, dealt with already in 395, 716. Furthermore 'seven' has been brought in here so that all things may be linked together as though they were historical events, for in the internal sense 'seven' and 'seven days' contribute nothing more to the meaning than a certain holiness which this second state possesses from what is celestial, that is, from charity.