Explanation of Numbers 1:45
Durch Henry MacLagan
Verse 45. And thus they are ordinated and arranged with the man of the Spiritual Church, according to primary good, commencing from an intelligent perception and reception of the truths and goods of faith, and proceeding through conflicts against.
Arcana Coelestia #3926
3926. 'A second son to Jacob' means a second general truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'son' as truth, dealt with in 489, 491, 533, 1147, a general truth being meant at this point, as is clear from what has been stated and shown above concerning the twelve sons of Jacob and concerning the twelve tribes named after them; that is to say, the general aspects of the Church, and consequently the general aspects of faith and love, or of truth and good, are meant and represented by those sons. They also mean in the contrary sense every general aspect of that which is not faith or love, that is, every aspect of falsity and evil, as will be evident from what is said further on.