3326. And Esau said, Behold I am going to die. That this signifies that he should afterwards rise again, is evident from the representation of Esau, as being the good of the natural (n. 3302, 3322); and from the signification of “dying,” as being the last of a state when anything ceases to be (n. 2908, 2912, 2917, 2923); and because the end of a former state is the beginning of a subsequent one, by “going to die” is here signified to rise again afterwards, in like manner as is signified by being “buried” (that to be “buried” denotes to rise again, see above, n. 2916, 2917, 3256). That he should rise again afterwards, denotes that good would obtain the priority or dominion over truth, after truth as to time had apparently held the priority (concerning which subject see above).

433. That Cain’s being “avenged sevenfold” signifies that it was sacrilege to do violence to that separated faith which is meant by “Cain” has been already shown at verse 15. And that by a “seventy and sevenfold avengement” is signified a far greater sacrilege the consequence of which is damnation, is evident from the signification of “seventy and sevenfold.” That the number “seven” is holy, originates in the fact that the “seventh day” signifies the celestial man, the celestial church, the celestial kingdom, and, in the highest sense, the Lord Himself. Hence the number “seven” wherever it occurs in the Word, signifies what is holy, or most sacred; and this holiness and sanctity is predicated of, or according to, the things that are being treated of. From this comes the signification of the number “seventy” which comprises seven ages; for an age, in the Word, is ten years. When anything most holy or sacred was to be expressed, it was said “seventy-sevenfold” as when the Lord said that a man should forgive his brother not until seven times, but until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22), by which is meant that they should forgive as many times as he sins, so that the forgiving should be without end, or should be eternal, which is holy. And here, that Lamech should “be avenged seventy and sevenfold” means damnation, because of the violation of that which is most sacred.