4196. And Jacob called it Galeed. That this signifies its quality on the part of the good of the Divine natural, is evident from the representation of Jacob, as being the Lord’s Divine natural, as frequently shown above. In the Hebrew idiom, or in that of Canaan, whence Jacob came, “Galeed” means “a heap” and “a witness,” or a “witness heap.” What a “witness heap” is in the internal sense, now follows.

4192. Gather stones; and they took stones, and made a heap. That this signifies truths from good, is evident from the signification of “stones,” as being truths (concerning which just above, n. 4190); and from the signification of a “heap,” as being good. That a “heap” signifies good, is because in old time, before they built altars, they made heaps, and ate together upon them, for a witness that they were joined together by love. But afterwards, when the representatives of the ancients were regarded as holy, instead of heaps they built alters; which also were of stones, but arranged in a more orderly manner (Josh. 22:28, 34). This is the reason why a “heap” has the same signification as an “altar,” namely, the good of love; and by the “stones” in it are signified the truths of faith.