Arcana Coelestia #4770
4770. 'And dipped the tunic in the blood' means that they defiled those appearances with falsities arising from evils. This is clear from the meaning of 'dipping in blood' as defiling with falsities, for in the contrary sense 'blood' means truth that has been falsified, 4735. Because it was the blood of 'a he-goat, which means external truths derived from delights such as adherents to faith separated from charity enjoy, it is plain that falsities arising from evils are meant. This is also evident from what follows below where Jacob says, 'An evil wild animal has devoured him; Joseph has been torn to pieces'; for these words mean that desires for evil annihilated [truth possessed by the Church], thus that falsities rendered this entirely non-existent. For falsity arises from three different sources - the teaching of the Church, the illusions of the senses, and the life of evil desires, the last of the three being the worst kind of falsity, see 4729.
Deuteronomy 9:4-6
4
Don't say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrust them out from before you, saying, "For my righteousness Yahweh has brought me in to possess this land;" because Yahweh drives them out before you because of the wickedness of these nations.
5
Not for your righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
6
Know therefore, that Yahweh your God doesn't give you this good land to possess it for your righteousness; for you are a stiff-necked people.
