4751. What gain is it if we slay our brother, and cover up his blood? That this signifies that there would be nothing of profit or of eminence if this should be wholly extinguished, is evident from the signification of, “What gain is it?” as being that there would be nothing of profit, and also nothing of eminence (of which hereafter); and from the signification of “slaying,” as being to extinguish, here Divine truth, specifically that concerning the Lord’s Divine Human, which is meant by the “brother,” that is, Joseph; and from the signification of “covering up blood,” as being to entirely hide holy truth (that “blood” denotes holy truth may be seen above, n. 4735). How the case is in regard to these things, is evident from what follows.

[2] That “gain” here signifies not only what is profitable but also eminence, or that, “What gain is it?” signifies that there would be nothing of profit or of eminence, is because this was said from cupidity and avarice; for the cupidity of gain and avarice has within it the desire not only to possess the whole world, but also to plunder and even to kill everyone for the sake of gain; indeed one impelled by such cupidity would commit murder for but little were not the laws a hindrance. Moreover, such a man in his possession of gold and silver regards himself as the greatest in power, however in external appearance he may seem otherwise, which shows that there is in avarice not only the love of the world, but also the love of self, and indeed the filthiest love of self. For elevation of mind, or pride, in those who are sordidly avaricious, is not so conspicuous outwardly, because it is sometimes unconcerned about wealth for the sake of display; nor is it that kind of the love of self which is usually conjoined with pleasures; for such have little concern about the body, and its food and clothing. But it is a love entirely earthly, having no other end than money, in the possession of which it believes itself, not actually but potentially, above all others. It is evident from this that in avarice there is the lowest and vilest love of self, for which reason in the other life the avaricious appear to themselves to be among swine (n. 939); and they above all others are against all good whatever. Consequently they are in such thick darkness that they are utterly unable to see what is good and what is true; they do not at all apprehend that there is any internal belonging to man which lives after death, and at heart they laugh at those who say so.

[3] The Jewish nation had been of such a nature from the beginning, and therefore it was impossible for anything internal to be opened plainly to them, as is evident from the Word of the Old Testament; and being rooted in this worst kind of the love of self, they would defile interior truths and goods, and would thus profane them more than all others, unless they were removed by avarice so far from internal things, and were thereby kept in thick darkness, for they cannot profane so long as they do not acknowledge (n. 1008, 1010, 1059, 2051, 3398, 3402, 3489, 3898, 4289, 4601). It is for this reason that the Lord says of them in John, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father ye will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44); and of Judas Iscariot, who represented the Jewish Church, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” (John 6:70). By Judas also in that he sold the Lord, the like is represented as here by Judah, who said, “Come and let us sell Joseph.”