6418. The son of a fruitful one over a fountain. That this signifies fruitfulness from truth from the Word, is evident from the signification of a “son,” as being truth (see n. 489, 491, 533, 2623, 2803, 2813, 3373, 3704); and from the signification of a “fruitful one,” as being fruitfulness from truth, for in the spiritual sense fruitfulness, like birth and nativity, is that of truth and good (n. 1145, 1255, 3860, 3868, 4070, 4668, 5598); and from the signification of a “fountain,” as being the Word (n. 2702, 3424, 4861). Hence it is evident that by the “son of a fruitful one over a fountain,” is signified fruitfulness from truth from the Word. They who are of the Lord’s spiritual church, which church is here represented by Joseph, from truth from the Word learn to know what is good, and thus through truth are initiated into good; hence they have the fruitfulness which is signified by a “fruitful one.”

1145. These are the nativities of the sons of Noah. That these signify derivations of the doctrinals and worships of the Ancient Church, which in general is “Noah,” is evident from the signification of “nativities” (of which above [89, 469-474, 610]). In the external or literal sense, “nativities” or “births,” as is known, are generations of one from another; but in the internal sense all things have regard to what is celestial and spiritual, that is, to the things of charity and of faith. Thus here the “nativities” are those of the church, consequently are doctrinal matters, as will be made more clear in what follows.