4344. And over unto the two handmaids. That this signifies under the affection of things that are of service to these affections, is evident from the signification of “handmaids,” as being the affections of memory-knowledges and of knowledges (n. 1895, 2567, 3835, 3849), and as being means that are of service for the conjunction of the external and the internal man (see n. 3913, 3917); and from the representation of Zilpah and Bilhah, who here are the “handmaids,” as being exterior affections that are of service as means (n. 3849, 3931).

3931. And she took Zilpah her handmaid. That this signifies an affirmative conjoining means, is evident from the signification of a “handmaid,” as being an affirmative means that is of service for the conjunction of the external man with the internal (n. 3913, 3917).