9288. Seven days. That this signifies a holy state, is evident from the signification of “seven,” as being what is holy (see. n. 395, 433, 716, 881, 5265, 5268); and from the signification of “days,” as being states (n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 5672, 5962, 7680, 8426, 9213).

5672. Against Joseph came at noon. That this signifies until the internal should be present with light, is evident from the signification of “against he came” as being when it should be present; from the representation of Joseph, as being the internal (see n. 5648); and from the signification of “noon,” as being a state of light (n. 1458, 3195, 3708). That “noon” denotes a state of light is because the times of day, as morning, noon, and evening, correspond to the enlightenments in the other life, and the enlightenments there are those of intelligence and wisdom, for in the light of heaven there is intelligence and wisdom. There are alternations of enlightenment there, like morning, noon, and evening on earth. The states of shade, like those of evening, do not arise from the sun there, that is, the Lord, who is always giving light, but from the angels’ own, for insofar as they are let into their own they come into a state of shade or evening, and insofar as they are lifted out of their own into a heavenly own, they come into a state of light. From this it is plain why noon corresponds to a state of light.