4184. And Laban answered and said unto Jacob. That this signifies an obscure state of perception, is evident from the signification of “answering and saying,” as being perception. (That in the historic parts of the Word “to say” denotes to perceive, may be seen above, n. 1898, 1919, 2080, 2862, 3395, 3509.) That the state of perception is obscure is evident from what Laban says, namely, that the daughters, the sons, and the flock were his, whereas they were not his; and from the internal sense, that the mediate good claimed all goods and truths as its own. (As regards these things said by Laban, see above, n. 3974, 4113)

1918. Verse 6. And Abram said unto Sarai, Behold thy handmaid is in thy hand, do to her that which is good in thine eyes; and Sarai humbled her, and she fled from her face. “Abram said unto Sarai,” signifies perception; “Behold thy handmaid is in thy hand,” signifies that the rational that was conceived was in the power of truth adjoined to good; “do to her that which is good in thine eyes,” signifies absolute control; “and Sarai humbled her,” signifies subjugation; “and she fled from her face,” signifies the indignation of this rational that was first conceived.