6260. 'And [Israel] kissed them' means a joining together resulting from an affection for truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'kissing' as a joining together resulting from affection, dealt with in 3573, 3574, 4215, 4753, 5929. The reason it is the result of an affection for truth is that the words 'embraced them' follow, by which a joining together resulting from an affection for good is meant. For 'embracing' describes a more internal and consequently closer joining together ¹ than 'kissing', even as an affection for good is more internal than an affection for truth.

അടിക്കുറിപ്പുകൾ:

5929. 'And he kissed all his brothers' means a linking together through grace. This is clear from the meaning of 'kissing' as a joining together through affection, dealt with in 3573, 3574, 4753, in this case a linking together through grace because the truths of the Church within the natural, represented by 'the sons of Jacob', are more remote from internal good, which is 'Joseph'. And although truths that are more remote are, it is true, joined through the intermediary to internal good, yet for a long time they retain features such as are not in agreement with internal good. This is why 'kissing his brothers' means a linking together through grace.

[2] The expression 'through grace' is used, and not 'through mercy', because truths that are more remote and not in full agreement are not equipped with the kind of humility that enables people to plead for mercy. Indeed they are unable in their hearts even to use the word mercy, only the word grace. The reason for this is that the discordant features that cling to those truths arise from self-love, and one who loves only himself cannot at heart possibly humble himself. Rather, he exalts himself, for in every single thing he regards only himself and has little concern for anything outside himself.