9018. And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him. That this signifies the application of the truth of faith to evil, and alienation, is evident from the signification of “stealing a man,” as being the application of the truth of faith to evil (that “a man,” here a man of the sons of Israel, denotes the truth of faith, see n. 5414, 5879, 5951, 7957, 9007); and that “stealing” denotes its application to evil (n. 5135); and from the signification of “selling,” as being alienation (n. 4098, 4752, 4758, 5886).

4758. And sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites. That this signifies reception by those who are in simple good, and alienation from those who are in faith separate, is evident from the signification of “selling,” as being to alienate in respect to those who are in faith separate, who here are Joseph’s brethren, for they sold him; and as being to be received in respect to those who are in simple good, who are here the Ishmaelites, for they bought him. (That the “Ishmaelites” are those who are in simple good was shown above, n. 3263, 4747. On this subject see what was said before, n. 4756)