5468. 'And they said, a man to his brother' means a perception as to the reason why. This is clear from the meaning of 'saying' in the historical narratives of the Word as perception, dealt with in 1791, 1815, 1819, 1822, 1898, 1919, 2080, 2619, 3509; and from the meaning of 'a man to his brother' as mutually, dealt with in 4725. The reason 'they said, a man to his brother' means a perception as to the reason why - why Joseph spoke hard words to them, calling them spies, and why he held them in custody for three days - is that what immediately follows contains their discussion with one another as to the reason why. Consequently a perception as to this is meant.

1822. That 'He said to him' means perception is clear from what has been stated above at verses 2 and 7. Perception itself is nothing else than a certain form of conversing that takes place inwardly, but which makes itself known whenever the spoken word is grasped perceptively. Every form of inward dictate, even conscience, is nothing else; but perception is a higher or more interior degree of it.