5601. And we told him according to the mouth of these words. That this signifies that he perceived them conformably, is evident from the signification of “telling,” as being to perceive (see n. 3608), for in the spiritual world or in heaven they have no need to tell what they think, there being a communication of all thoughts (n. 5597), and therefore in the spiritual sense “telling” signifies perceiving; and from the signification of “according to these words,” as being conformably; for they are the things he desired to perceive.

3608. And the words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah. That this signifies the Lord’s perception from Divine truth concerning the animus or purpose of natural good at that time, is evident from the signification of “being told,” as being to think and reflect (n. 9862), thus to perceive; and from the representation of Rebekah, as being the Divine truth of the Lord’s Divine rational; and from the representation of Esau, as being natural good (concerning which representations see above). From this it is evident that its “being told Rebekah concerning the words of Esau her elder son,” signifies the Lord’s perception from Divine truth concerning the animus or purpose of natural good.