5955. And to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver. That this signifies that the intermediate had fullness of truth from good, is evident from the representation of Benjamin, as being the intermediate (see n. 5600, 5631, 5639, 5688, 5822); from the representation of Joseph, who “gave,” as being internal good (n. 5826, 5827, 5869, 5877); from the signification of “three hundred,” as being what is full (of which below); and from the signification of “silver,” as being truth (n. 1551, 2954, 5658). From all this it is plain that by “he gave to Benjamin three hundred pieces of silver” is signified that he gave to the intermediate fullness of truth from good; for the intermediate which Benjamin represents is interior truth through influx from the internal celestial (n. 5600, 5631). That “three hundred” signifies what is full, is because this number arises from three and a hundred by multiplication, and “three” signifies what is full (n. 2788, 4495) and a “hundred” signifies much (n. 4400); for what compound numbers involve is seen from the simple numbers from which they are.

[2] “Three hundred” also involves a like meaning where it is mentioned elsewhere in the Word, as that

The ark of Noah was three hundred cubits in length (Genesis 6:15);

also that there were three hundred men through whom Gideon smote Midian, of whom it is written in the book of Judges:

The number of them that lapped in their hand at their mouth, was three hundred men. Jehovah said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I give Midian into thine hand. Gideon divided the three hundred men into three troops, and he gave a trumpet into the hand of each of them, and empty pitchers, and torches in the midst of the pitchers. When they sounded with the three hundred trumpets, Jehovah set every man’s sword against his fellow, and against the whole camp (Judg. 7:6-7, 16, 22);

by the “three hundred men” here also is signified what is full, as also by the three troops into which these three hundred were divided; and by the “hundred” which was the number of each troop is signified much and enough, consequently that they would be sufficient against Midian. Moreover all these things were representative, namely, that those were taken who lapped water in the hand; that each one had a trumpet, and pitchers in which were torches; and this because by Midian, against whom they were going, was represented truth which was not truth, because there was no good of life. But each of these things will of the Lord’s Divine mercy be treated of elsewhere. That numbers also were representative, is evident from many other passages, as the number “seven” in Joshua, when they took Jericho; for it was then commanded that seven priests should bear seven jubilee trumpets before the ark, and that on the seventh day they should compass the city seven times (Josh. 6:4).

5820. 'Return, buy us a little food' means that the good of truth should be made their own. This is clear from the meaning of 'buying' as making one's own, dealt with in 5397, 5406, 5410, 5426; and from the meaning of 'food' as the good of truth, dealt with in 5410, 5426, 5487, 5582, 5588, 5655. In general spiritual food includes all good, but specifically it is good acquired by means of truth, that is, truth existing in will and action. For by virtue of being willed and acted out that truth becomes good and is called the good of truth. Unless truth becomes good in this manner it is of no use whatever to a person in the next life; for when he enters that life it goes away from him because it does not fit in with what he wills or consequently with what he loves and takes delight in. In the world a person may have learned the truths of faith not so that he may will them and act them out, and in so doing may make them forms of good, but merely so that he may know and teach them with a view to acquiring position and gain. Even though as a result of this he may be reputed in the world to be very learned, those truths are taken away from him in the next life, and he is left with what he really wills, that is, with the life really his own. What he had been like so far as that life was concerned he continues to be; and, surprising though it may be, he turns away from all the truths of faith and refuses to accept them, no matter how firmly he had embraced them previously. The conversion of truths therefore into forms of good through willing them and acting them out, that is, through living according to them, is what making the good of truth their own implies, meant by 'buy us a little food'.