2961. Bury therefore thy dead. That this signifies an emerging from night, and a consequent resuscitation, is evident from the signification of “dead,” as being night in regard to the truths of faith; and from the signification of “being buried,” as being to be raised up (conce rning which see n. 2917, 2923, 2925, 2931, 2948, 2955). The reason why these words are said so often in this chapter, is that the subject treated of is the emerging from night in regard to the truths of faith, and the resuscitation (that is, the reformation and regeneration) of the spiritual church.

2949. Verses 12-13. And Abraham bowed himself before the people of the land. And he spoke unto Ephron in the ears of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt, I pray thee, hear me; I will give the silver of the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there. “Abraham bowed himself before the people of the land,” signifies the Lord’s joy on account of the good will of those who were of the new spiritual church; “and he spoke unto Ephron” signifies influx with those who were able to receive; “in the ears of the people of the land,” signifies even unto obedience as to the truths of the church; “but if thou wilt, I pray thee, hear me,” signifies more interior influx; “I will give the silver of the field; take it of me,” signifies redemption as to the truths of the church which are from the Lord; “and I will bury my dead,” signifies that thus they would come forth from night and be vivified.