5973. 'And Israel said' means spiritual good now. This is clear from the representation of 'Israel' as spiritual good, as in 5801, 5803, 5806, 5817, 5819, 5826, 5832, 5833. For what spiritual good is, represented by 'Israel', and what natural good is, represented by 'Jacob', see above in 5965. Anyone unacquainted with the internal sense of the Word cannot possibly know why Jacob is called Jacob at one point and Israel at another; for within a single chapter, even within a single verse, one name may be used, then the other. This shows quite plainly that the Word has an internal sense, as it does at this point where one reads,
The spirit of Jacob their father revived, and Israel said . . .
Similar examples appear elsewhere, such as the following,
Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob did not send with his brothers. And the sons of Israel came to buy in the midst of others who came. Genesis 42:4-5.
And Israel set out. God said to Israel in visions in the night, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Behold, here I am. Genesis 46:1-2.
Jacob rose up from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father. Genesis 46:5.
All the souls of the house of Jacob as he came into Egypt were seventy. Joseph harnessed his chariot, and went up to meet Israel. And Israel said to Joseph . . . Genesis 46:26, 29-30.
Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. And Israel's days drew near when he must die. Genesis 47:27-29.
And someone told Jacob and said, Behold, your son Joseph has come to you; and Israel strengthened himself and sat up on his bed. And Jacob said to Joseph... Genesis 48:2-3.
Jacob called his sons, and said, Assemble together and hear, O sons of Jacob; hear Israel your father. Genesis 49:1-2.
Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is hard. 1
I will divide them in Jacob, and will scatter them in Israel. Genesis 49:7.
The arms of his hands will be made strong by the hands of the powerful Jacob; from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel. Genesis 49:24.
The same use of the two names also occurs frequently in the Prophets.
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