1436. And the soul that they had gained in Haran. That this signifies every living essential that was possible in that obscure state, is evident from the signification of “soul,” as being what is living essential; and from the signification of “Haran” as being an obscure state, concerning which see the preceding verse The soul in the proper sense signifies that which lives in man, and thus his very life. That in man which lives is not the body, but the soul, and the body lives by means of the soul. The life itself of man, or the living part of him, is from celestial love; there cannot possibly be anything living which does not derive its origin from this; and therefore by “soul” is here signified the good which lives from celestial love, which good is the living essential itself. In the literal sense, by “soul” is here meant every man, and also every beast that was alive, and which they had procured for themselves; but in the internal sense nothing else is signified than what is living essential.
