3493. And his eyes were dim that he could not see. That this signifies when the rational desired to enlighten the natural with the Divine, is evident from the signification of “eyes,” as being the interior or rational sight (see n. 2701); and from the signification of “seeing,” as being to perceive and understand (n. 2150, 2325, 2807); hence when the eyes are said to be dim,” it signifies that there is no longer any perception, here, no perception of those things which are in the natural; and this being the signification of these words, it is signified that the rational desired to enlighten the natural with the Divine. How the case herein is may be seen from what has been said and shown before concerning the rational and natural in man when he is being regenerated, namely, that the rational is regenerated before the natural, for the reason that the rational is more interior and thus nearer to the Divine; and also because it is purer, and thus fitter to receive the Divine than is the natural; and further because the natural is to be regenerated through the rational, as may be seen above (n. 3286, 3288, 3321).

[2] When therefore the rational has been regenerated and not the natural, the former appears to itself to be dim-sighted, because there is not correspondence; for the rational has its sight from the light of heaven, and the natural has its sight from the light of the world; and unless there is correspondence, the rational can see nothing which is in the natural, all therein being to it as shade, or even as thick darkness. But when there is correspondence, then the things in the natural appear to the rational in light, because the things which are of the light of the world are then enlightened by those which are of the light of heaven, and thereupon become as it were translucent. But these things appear better from what has been before said and shown concerning correspondence (n. 2987, 2989, 2991, 2996, 3002, 3138, 3167, 3222, 3223, 3225, 3337, 3485). Hence it may in some sort be apprehended that by the words, “the eyes of Isaac were dim that he could not see,” is signified that the rational desired to enlighten the natural with the Divine, that is, to make it also Divine, for in the supreme sense the Lord is treated of; which may consequently be illustrated by what takes place with man when being regenerated, as before mentioned, for the regeneration of man is an image of the Lord’s glorification (n. 3043, 3138, 3212, 3296, 3490).

2149. Behold three men standing over him. That this signifies the Divine Itself, the Divine Human, and the Holy proceeding, may be seen without explication; for it is known to everyone that there is a Trine, and that this Trine is a One. ¹ That it is a One is plainly evident in this chapter, to wit, in verse 3, where it is said, “He said, My Lord, if I pray I have found grace in Thine eyes, pass Thou not, I pray,” which words were addressed to the three men. And further, in verse 10, “And he said, Returning I will return unto thee.” In verse 13, “And Jehovah said unto Abraham.” In verse 15, “He said, Nay, but thou didst laugh.” In verse 17, “And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do?” In verse 19, “Because I have known him.” In verse 20, “And Jehovah said.” In verse 21, “I will go down, and I will see whether they have made a consummation according to the cry thereof which is come unto Me; and if not, I will know.” In verse 23, Abraham said, “Wilt Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” In verse 25, “Be it far from Thee to do according to this thing; be it far from Thee.” In verse 26, “And Jehovah said, If I find fifty righteous I will spare the whole place for their sake.” In verse 27, “I have taken upon me to speak unto my Lord.” In verse 28, “Wilt Thou destroy the whole city for five? And He said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty and five.” In verse 29, “He added yet to speak unto Him; He said, I will not do it for forty’s sake.” In verse 30, “Let not my Lord be angry; He said, I will not do it if I find thirty there.” In verse 31, “He said, I have taken upon me to speak unto my Lord; He said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake.” In verse 32, “Let not I pray my Lord be angry; and He said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.” And in verse 33, “And Jehovah went when He had left off speaking to Abraham.” From all this it may be seen that by the three men who appeared to Abraham was signified the Divine Itself, the Divine Human, and the Holy proceeding; and that this Trine is in itself a One. In the internal sense the subject here treated of is Jehovah, in that He appeared to the Lord, and that the Lord perceived this; but not by an appearing such as there was to Abraham; for it is historically true that three men were seen by Abraham, but this represents the Divine perception, or the perception from the Divine which the Lord had when in the Human, which perception is treated of in what follows.

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