2824. And He said, Put not forth thine hand upon the boy. That this signifies that He should admit the temptation no further into the Truth Divine which belonged to the rational, is evident from the signification of “putting forth the hand,” as being temptation even to the utmost of power-explained just above (n. 2816); and from the signification of the “boy,” that is, of Isaac, as being the rational as to Truth Divine, into which the temptations were admitted (see n. 2803, 2813, 2814, 2817).

2817. And took the knife. That this signifies as to truth, is evident from the signification of a “knife,” as being the truth of faith (explained above, n. 2799); and that the Lord’s temptation was as to Truth Divine, see above (n. 2813, 2814).