5086. The place where Joseph was bound. That this signifies the state of the celestial of the natural now as to these things, is evident from the signification of “place,” as being state (see n. 2625, 2837, 3356, 3387, 4321, 4882); from the representation of Joseph, as being the celestial of the spiritual from the rational (n. 4286, 4585, 4592, 4594, 4963), here the celestial of the natural, because now in the natural from which are temptations (n. 5035, 5039); and from the signification of “being bound,” as being a state of temptations (see n. 5037). In the foregoing chapter the subject treated of is the state of temptations of the celestial of the spiritual in the natural as to those things which were of the interior natural, and here as to those things which are of the exterior natural.

5037. That “to be put into the prison house, and to be kept bound there,” denotes to be let into temptations as to false-speaking against good, is because all that region next under the sole of the foot and around about, is called a “prison house,” where those are kept who are in vastation, that is, those who have been in principles of falsity and in a life of evil from falsity, and yet in good as to intentions. Such cannot be received into heaven until they have put off the principles of falsity, and also the delight of life thence derived. They who are there are let into temptations; for principles of falsity and the derivative delights of life cannot be cast out except by means of temptations. The place where they are, or rather the state in which they are, is signified in general by a “prison house,” and the places themselves by “pits.” In regard to vastations in the other life, see what has been said above (n. 698, 699, 1106-1113, 2699, 2701, 2704). They who are in vastations are called the “bound”—not that they are in any bond or chain, but that they are not in freedom as to their former thoughts and the derivative affections.

[2] That such are they who are meant in the Word by the “bound,” and by those who are “in prison,” is plain from other passages in the Word, as in Isaiah:

I will give Thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, to bring out the bound from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the house of confinement (Isaiah 42:6-7;

speaking of the Lord, and of His coming. Here “to open the blind eyes, and to bring out the bound from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the house of confinement,” denotes those who are in ignorance of good and truth, and yet are in the desire of knowing and being imbued with them; but in the original language “prison” is here expressed by a different word.

[3] Again:

All the youths are hid in prison houses; they are made for a prey, and none rescueth, and none saith, Bring forth (Isaiah 42:22);

“youths” in the internal sense are the truths of faith, which are said “to be hid in prison houses,” and “to be made for a prey,” when they are no longer acknowledged. Again:

It shall be in that day that Jehovah shall visit upon the army of the height in the height, and upon the kings of the ground upon the ground. And they shall be gathered, the bound over the pit, and they shall be shut over the place of confinement; after a multitude of days they shall be visited (Isaiah 24:21-22);

“the bound over the pit” denotes those who are in vastations or those who are in temptations.

[4] Again:

What will ye do in the day of visitation, and of laying waste? It cometh from afar; to whom will ye flee for help? He who hath not bowed down himself; they shall fall under the bound, and under the slain (Isaiah 10:3-4);

“under the bound” denotes the hell which is under the places of vastation; and “the slain” denotes those who have extinguished in themselves the truths of faith by principles of falsity, in a less degree than “the pierced,” of whom see above (n. 4503).

[5] In Zechariah:

He shall speak peace to the nations; and His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. As for Thee also, by the blood of Thy covenant I will send forth the bound ones out of the pit wherein is no water. Return ye to the stronghold, ye bound ones of hope (Zech. 9:10-12);

“sending forth the bound out of the pit” denotes those who are in vastation and those who are in temptation. That the places where they are who are in vastation are called “pits” may be seen above (n. 4728, 4744).

In David:

Jehovah heareth the needy, and despiseth not His bound ones (Psalms 69:33).

Again:

Let the sighing of the bound one come before Thee (Psalms 79:11).

Again:

From the heavens did Jehovah look back to the earth, to hear the sighing of the bound one, to open to the sons of death (Psalms 102:19-20); where “the bound ones” denote those who are in vastation, and those who are in temptations.

In Isaiah:

In the time of what is well pleasing have I answered Thee, and in the day of salvation have I heard Thee; and I have also guarded Thee, and I gave Thee for a covenant of the people, to restore the land, to share the wasted heritages, to say to them that are bound, Go forth; and to them that are in darkness, Unveil yourselves. They shall feed upon the ways, and in all the heights there is good pasture; and they shall not hunger nor thirst (Isaiah 49:8-10).

[6] Again:

The spirit of the Lord Jehovih is upon me, Jehovah hath anointed me, He hath sent me to preach good tidings to the poor, and to bind up the broken-hearted; to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to the bound, to the holden in eyes, to proclaim the year of what is well pleasing to Jehovah (Isaiah 61:1-2

In David:

Jehovah, who executeth judgment for the oppressed; who giveth food to the hungry; Jehovah who looseth the prisoners; Jehovah who openeth the blind; Jehovah who raiseth up the bowed down; Jehovah who loveth the just; Jehovah who guardeth the strangers; He upholdeth the fatherless and the widow (Psalms 146:7-9);

“the bound” denote those who are in vastation and in temptations on account of falsities. From these passages it is also plain who are meant in Matthew by the “bound,” or “those who are in prison,” and likewise by the “hungry,” the “thirsty,” and “strangers”:

Then shall the King say to those who are on His right hand, I was hungry and ye gave Me to eat, I was thirsty and ye gave Me drink, I was a stranger and ye gathered Me, naked and ye clothed Me, I was sick and ye visited Me, I was in prison and ye came unto Me (Matthew 25:34-36);

regarding whom see the preface to this chapter (n. 4954-4958).