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.

394. Now as this was foreseen, and was provided, lest the human race should perish in eternal death, it is here declared that none should do violence to Cain, by whom is signified faith separated from charity; and further that a mark was set upon him, which means that the Lord distinguished faith in a particular manner, in order to secure its preservation. These are arcana hitherto undiscovered, and are referred to by the Lord in what He said respecting marriage, and eunuchs, in Matthew:

There are eunuchs who were so born from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs of men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of God’s sake; he that is able to receive it let him receive it (Matthew 19:12).

Those in the heavenly marriage are called “eunuchs;” those so “born from the womb” are such as resemble the celestial angels; those “made of men” are such as are like the spiritual angels; and those “made so by themselves” are like angelic spirits, who act not so much from charity as from obedience.