6563. I pray forgive I pray the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin. That this signifies supplication and repentance, is evident from the signification of “I pray forgive I pray,” as being supplication; and that it also denotes repentance is plain from the confession that they had transgressed and sinned, and also from what follows, that they offered themselves to Joseph for servants. Mention is made of both “transgression” and “sin” because of the marriage of truth and good in every detail of the Word; for “transgression” signifies evil against truth, which is less; and “sin,” evil against good, which is greater; hence it is that both are mentioned; as also in other passages:

Jacob said to Laban, What is my transgression? what is my sin? that thou hast pursued after me (Genesis 31:36).

In Isaiah:

I will blot out as a cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins (Isaiah 44:22).

In Ezekiel:

In his transgression that he hath transgressed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in these shall he die (Ezekiel 18:24).

Again:

While your transgressions are revealed, so that in all your works your sins may appear (Ezekiel 21:24).

And in David:

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered (Psalms 32:1).