4285. ‘Et dixit ad eum, Quid nomen tuum? et dixit, Jacob’: quod significet quale boni a vero, constat ex significatione ‘nominis’ quod sit quale, de qua n. 144, 145, 1754, 1896, 2009, 2724, 3006; et ex repraesentatione ‘Jacobi’ quod sit bonum veri, de qua supra n. 4273.

Like other descriptions of time in the Word, "a day" or a number of "days" describe a spiritual state rather than our natural concept of time. A spiritual "day" describes a state of mind or a state in our relationship with the Lord rather than a 12-hour or 24-hour span of natural time. "Day" describes a state in which we are turned toward the Lord, and are receiving light (which is truth) and heat (which is a desire for good) from the Lord.