Arcana Coelestia # 5408
5408. 'And [Joseph's ten brothers] went down' means an aim and endeavour - an aim and endeavour to acquire truths to itself, and to make these its own, through factual knowledge. This is evident from the meaning of 'going down' - going down to Egypt - as an aim and endeavour.
Isaiah 6:1-5
1
In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.
2
Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew.
3
One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!"
4
The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
5
Then I said, "Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of Armies!"
