5956. 'And five changes of garments' means much truth from the natural. This is clear from the meaning of 'five' as much, dealt with in 5708; and from the meaning of 'changes of garments' as truths brought in touch with good. The reason this truth is from the natural is that 'garments' are spoken of in reference to the natural. The reason why truth from the natural was the intermediary, which was represented by 'Benjamin', is that to be an intermediary it must derive from the internal and from the external, 5822. Its derivation from the internal is described by the imparting to the intermediary of a complete amount of truth from good, which is meant by 'three hundred pieces of silver', dealt with immediately above in 5955. The derivation of the intermediary from the external is described by much truth received from the natural, meant by 'five changes of garments'.

5709. 'And they drank' means the application of the truths beneath good. This is clear from the meaning of 'drinking' as the communication of truth and making it one's own, dealt with in 3168, 3772, 4017, 4018, and therefore an application of it also. The reason beneath good is meant is that whenever there is any application of truth, this takes place beneath good, see above in 5704.