3877. Therefore she called his name Levi. That this signifies its quality, is evident from the signification of “name,” and of “calling a name,” as being quality (concerning which above, n. 3872). The quality is what is contained in these words: “Now this time will my man cleave to me, because I have borne him three sons” (concerning which words see just above, n. 3875, 3876). This quality is what is signified by “Levi,” and also by the tribe named from him; and this is the third universal of the church (that is, the third when man is being regenerated, or being made a church), and is charity.

The case with respect to charity is that it contains within itself the willing of truth; and through this it contains within itself the understanding of truth; for whoever is in charity has these. But before man comes to charity, he must first be in the external, namely, in the understanding of truth; next in the willing of truth; and lastly in being affected with truth, which is charity. And when man is in charity, he then looks to the Lord, who in the supreme sense is signified by “Judah,” the fourth son of Jacob.