4707. 'In Shechem' means the broad outlines. This is clear from the meaning of 'Shechem' as truth derived from an ancient Divine stock, dealt with in 4399, 4454, and as doctrine, 4472, 4473. At this point it is the broad outlines of doctrine concerning faith that are meant, for what a name has reference to is determined by the subject of the train of thought in which it appears. The broad outlines are also the general aspects of doctrine, it being general aspects that are received first, then specific details follow after that.

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.