6132. And said to him, We will not hide from my lord. That this signifies that it was known to the internal, is evident from the signification of “saying,” as being perception (of which above, n. 6063); from the representation of Joseph, who is here the “lord,” as being the internal (of which also above); and from the signification of “not hiding it from him,” as being to be known. That in the internal sense “not to hide” denotes to be known, is because everything that comes forth and takes place in the natural is known to the internal, for the natural has from the internal all that belongs to itself, and therefore nothing can be concealed from the internal. Nevertheless in the external sense, and especially in the historical sense, the present form of speech is made use of; just as when the Lord speaks to a man He first questions him concerning the matter in hand, although it is fully known to Him; as for instance when the angel of Jehovah spake unto Hagar (Genesis 16:7-8); unto Abraham (Genesis 18:9); and unto Moses (Exodus 4:2); and indeed in no other way would the external feel satisfied, for unless it utters a thing, it believes that it is not known.