6089. And Joseph brought Jacob his father. That this signifies the presence of general truth from the internal, is evident from the signification of “causing to come,” or “bringing,” as being to make present, and of “coming unto” anyone, as being presence (see n. 5934, 6063); and from the representation of Jacob, as being the doctrine of natural truth, and also natural truth (n. 3305, 3509, 3525, 3546, 4538), here truth in general, because his sons represent truths in particular. That it is from the internal, is because “Joseph” is the internal, from which is truth in the natural. General truth is called the “father” of Joseph, because general truth is insinuated with man first of all. This is afterward enriched with particular truths, and lastly there comes forth the view of them from the internal, that is, there come forth reason and understanding. This is very manifest in the case of man, for his judgment increases from infancy. It is the same with spiritual truths and goods, when a man is being born anew, or is being regenerated. But after the internal has come forth from general truth in the natural, the state is changed, and the internal no longer acknowledges truth in the natural as father, but as servant. That it becomes a servant is declared by Joseph’s dream about his father: that the sun and the moon and eleven stars made obeisance to him; wherefore his father said, “What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?” (Genesis 37:9-10); and therefore also his father is so often called by his sons, in the presence of Joseph, his “servant” (Genesis 43:28; 44:24, 27, 30-31); and moreover Joseph was lord in all the land of Egypt, thus also over his father.

5869. And Joseph could not restrain himself before all that were standing by him. That this signifies that all things were now made ready by the internal celestial for conjunction, is evident from the representation of Joseph, as being internal good (see n. 5805, 5826, 5827), thus the internal celestial, for by the celestial is meant the good which proceeds from the Lord; and from the signification of “not being able to restrain himself,” as being that all things were made ready for conjunction. For when anyone prepares himself with the utmost diligence for some end, or effect, by getting together and arranging the means conducive thereto, then when all things are made ready he can no longer restrain himself. This is signified by the above words; for in the preceding chapter initiation to conjunction was treated of, but in this chapter conjunction itself (see n. 5867). By “all that were standing by him,” are signified such things as hinder conjunction, for which reason they were cast out, as follows.