When we eat, our bodies break down the food and get from it both energy and materials for building and repairing the body. The process is similar on a symbolic level in the Bible. Food represents the desire for good and the insight that comes from that desire for good – goodness and understanding that come from the Lord. But to put them to use we have to take them in and make them our own – which is spiritual eating.

5643. 'For the men will eat with me at midday' means that they will be joined together when accompanied by the intermediary. This is clear from the meaning of 'eating' as being communicated, being joined together, and being made one's own, dealt with in 2187, 2343, 3168, 3513 (end), 3596, 3832. And because they were accompanied by the spiritual intermediary represented by 'Benjamin', 5639, the expression 'at midday' is used; for 'midday' means a state of light, and so a spiritual state which the intermediary is instrumental in bringing about, 1458, 3708.