6149. 'For the priests had a fixed portion from Pharaoh' means that this had therefore been decreed by the natural, which was under the control of the internal. This is clear from the meaning of a 'fixed portion' as that which has been decreed, and from the representation of 'Pharaoh" as the natural in general, dealt with in 5160, 5799, 6015. And since that decree made in the natural originated in the internal, the description 'under the control of the internal' is added, which control was also represented by Joseph's being lord over the whole of Egypt, and over Pharaoh's house too, see 6145.

1728. 'And he was a priest' means the holiness of love. This is clear from the meaning of 'a priest' in the Word. Two special ways in which the Lord is characterized are as King and as Priest. A king or the office of king means holy truth, and a priest or the office of priest means holy good. The former is the Divine Spiritual, the latter the Divine Celestial. As King the Lord governs every single thing in the universe from Divine Truth; but as Priest He does so from Divine Good. Divine Truth is the order itself of His kingdom existing everywhere, all the laws of which are truths, or eternal verities. Divine Good is the very essential of order, every aspect of which is an expression of mercy. Both of these - Divine Good and Divine Truth - are attributed to the Lord. If solely Divine Truth were His, no mortal man could be saved, for truths condemn everyone to hell. But Divine Good, which is the essence of mercy, raises people up from hell towards heaven. Divine Truth and Divine Good are what kings and priests in the Jewish Church represented; and Melchizedek as king of Salem and priest to God Most High represented them too.