3326. And Esau said, Behold I am going to die. That this signifies that he should afterwards rise again, is evident from the representation of Esau, as being the good of the natural (n. 3302, 3322); and from the signification of “dying,” as being the last of a state when anything ceases to be (n. 2908, 2912, 2917, 2923); and because the end of a former state is the beginning of a subsequent one, by “going to die” is here signified to rise again afterwards, in like manner as is signified by being “buried” (that to be “buried” denotes to rise again, see above, n. 2916, 2917, 3256). That he should rise again afterwards, denotes that good would obtain the priority or dominion over truth, after truth as to time had apparently held the priority (concerning which subject see above).

342. That the second offspring of the church is charity, is evident from the fact that the church conceives and brings forth nothing else than faith and charity. The same is signified by the first children of Leah from Jacob; “Reuben” denoting faith; “Simeon” faith in act; and “Levi” charity (Genesis 29:32-33, 34), wherefore also the tribe of Leviticus received the priesthood, and represented the “shepherd of the flock.” As charity is the second offspring of the church, it is called “brother” and is named “Abel.”