Arcana Coelestia # 6172
6172. 'And were fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly' means resulting forms of the good of charity and resulting truths of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'being fruitful' as bringing forth forms of the good of charity, and from the meaning of 'multiplying' as bringing forth truths of faith, dealt with in 43, 55, 913, 983, 2846, 2847. For the expression 'to be fruitful' is derived from the word 'fruits', by which the works of charity are meant in the internal sense, while the expression 'to be multiplied' is derived from the word 'multitude', which in the internal sense is used to refer to the truths of faith, since 'much' (multum) refers in the Word to truths, but 'great' to forms of good.
Genesis 41:53-57
53
The seven years of plenty, that were in the land of Egypt, came to an end.
54
The seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
55
When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do."
56
The famine was over all the surface of the earth. Joseph opened all the store houses, and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
57
All countries came into Egypt, to Joseph, to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all the earth.
