4591. And she called his name Benoni. That this signifies the quality of this state, is evident from the signification of “calling a name,” as being quality, as often shown above. The state here described in the internal sense is a state of temptations, the quality of which is what is signified by “Benoni,” for in the original language “Benoni” means “the son of my sorrow” or “mourning.” (That in ancient times names significative of the state were given to infants, may be seen above, n. 1946, 2643, 3422, 4298)

4298. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel. That this signifies a state of temptations, is evident from the series of the things; for in old times names were given to the places where anything peculiar happened that were significative of the thing which happened there and of its state (n. 340, 2643, 3422). To this place was given a name which signified a state of temptations, for a state of temptations is here described by the wrestling and contention of Jacob. In the original language “Peniel” means “the faces of God,” and “to see the faces of God” denotes to endure the most grievous temptations, as will be explained in what now follows.