3846. And we will give thee her also, for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. That this signifies that then there would be a full state of study, is evident from the signification of “service” and of “serving,” as being study (see n. 3824); and from the signification of “seven years,” as being the same as a “week,” namely, a state and an entire period, as above (n. 3845); thus a full state, which is also holy (n. 3824). This expression, “we will give thee her also,” signifies that then there would be conjunction with the affection of internal truth. The reason why in the internal sense “serving” is study, is that the labor of the external man is study in the internal man. Hence study is called a labor of the mind.

3824. And he said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. That this signifies study, and at the same time a holy state, in order to be conjoined with internal truth, is evident from the signification of “serving,” as being study; and from the signification of “seven,” as being that which is holy (see n. 395, 433, 716, 881); and from the signification of “years,” as being states (n. 487, 488, 493, 893); that this was in order to conjunction is evident. Hence it is manifest that by “I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter,” signifies study, and at the same time a holy state in order to be conjoined with internal truth. Internal truths are said to be conjoined with the natural when they are learned, acknowledged, and believed. In the natural of man, that is, in the memory of this man, there are truths both external and internal, and they are there in the form of memorized doctrinal things; but they have not been conjoined until the man is affected with them for the sake of the use of life, that is, until they are loved for the sake of life; for then good is coupled with them, whereby they are conjoined with the rational, consequently with the internal man. In this way there is an influx of life into them from the Lord.