4351. 'And embraced him' means a first joining together effected by love. This is clear from the meaning of 'embracing' as affection, dealt with in 3807; and since all affection is essentially love, and love strives to effect conjunction, it is a joining together effected by love that is therefore meant here. The reason why a first joining together effected by love is meant is that the words 'he fell on his neck' follow and after that 'he kissed him', which mean closer and more interior joinings together brought about by love. It is plain without any further explanation that 'embracing' means the outward expression that flows from a joining together effected by love, and consequently means in the internal sense that joining together. For the ideas which belong to the internal sense present themselves in the Word by means of external events.

To "meet" someone can be positive or negative: it can be a welcoming and greeting, or it can be "meeting" them in battle. Both meanings are reflected in the internal sense of the Bible. In positive meetings between people, "meeting" represents a joining and communication between the spiritual states the people represent. In negative ones, however -- and especially in cases where the Lord is pictured as meeting someone -- it stands for opposition between the states. It's worth noting here that according to the Writings the Lord never actually opposes anyone. The Lord is love itself, and He is continually loving everyone and willing them to be good and move toward heaven. But when people reject His love and move away, it creates the appearance that He is opposing them, despite the fact that His attitude and stance toward all of us never changes.

In Genesis 14:17, this signifies to submit oneself. (Arcana Coelestia 1721)

In Genesis 19:1, this signifies acknowledgment, and also the effect that love for others has. (Arcana Coelestia 2326)

In Genesis 24:65, this signifies for the purpose of union. (Arcana Coelestia 3205)

In Genesis 29:13, this signifies agreement which unites. (Arcana Coelestia 3806)

In Genesis 32:6, this signifies that the good of love flowing into truth. (Arcana Coelestia 4247)

In Exodus 4:14, this signifies reception or to come prepared to receive divine truth. (Arcana Coelestia 7000)