6751. 'And he was a son to her' means that then first truths were attached to that affection. This is clear from the representation of Pharaoh's daughter, to whom 'to her' refers here, as an affection for factual knowledge, dealt with immediately above in 6750; and from the meaning of 'son' as truth, dealt with in 489, 491, 533, 2623, 3373, here first truth since 'being a son to her' is possessing first truths acquired through factual knowledge. For first truths are born from factual knowledge and so are like sons born from their mother, who is the affection for factual knowledge. And factual knowledge is the groundwork for truths composing the understanding and faith, see above in 6750. When a person is being regenerated matters of faith develop in him in almost the same way as things that are not matters of faith develop while he is growing up. While he is growing up sensory impressions compose the first level to be laid down, then known facts another level; and after that, grounded on these levels, the power of judgement grows, more fully with one person, less fully with another. While a person is being regenerated the general aspects of faith or the basic elements of the Church's teachings compose the level that is laid down first, then come particular aspects of that teaching and faith, and after that in successive stages things that are more and more internal. These are levels which the light of heaven shines on; and from this comes the power of understanding, and the ability to perceive the truth of faith and the good of charity.

1896. 'Her name was Hagar' means the life of the exterior or natural man. This becomes clear from what has been stated already, and also from the meaning of Hagar' as a foreign woman or one living in foreign parts. 'Foreigners' represented people who were to receive instruction, and living in foreign parts represented instruction, and also rules of life, as shown already in 1463. When it is stated in the Word what a person's name is, as here, that 'her name was Hagar', it means that the name embodies something to which attention should be paid, for 'calling by name' is knowing a person's character, as shown already in 144, 145, 340. Not one particle exists in the Word without a reason and without meaning some real thing in the internal sense.