The Bible

 

Genesis 31:15

Study

       

15 ου-D ως-C ο- A--NPF αλλοτριος-A1A-NPF λογιζομαι-VX--XPI1P αυτος- D--DSM πιπρασκω-VX--XAI3S γαρ-X εγω- P--AP και-C καταεσθιω-VBI-AAI3S καταβρωσις-N3E-DSF ο- A--ASN αργυριον-N2N-ASN εγω- P--GP

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #4105

Study this Passage

  
/ 10837  
  

4105. 'And he brought away all his cattle and all his substance which he had gathered' means the separation of truth and good acquired from what belonged to Laban. This is clear from the meaning of 'bringing away' as separating; from the meaning of 'cattle' as truth; and from the meaning of 'substance' as good. The phrase 'which he had gathered' has regard to Laban and his flock by means of which they had been acquired. The reason why 'cattle' means truth and 'substance' good is that the word used in the original language for 'acquisition' also means small cattle in general, by which truths are meant specifically when 'flocks' means goods. And 'substance' in this case means the resources from which those truths and goods are acquired. For when two things are mentioned in the Word which have almost the same meaning, the first has reference to truth but the second to good. They do so because of the heavenly marriage, which is the marriage of truth and good, present in every detail of the Word, see 683, 793, 801, 2173, 2516, 2712.

  
/ 10837  
  

Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.