2940. Ephron was sitting in the midst of the sons of Heth. That this signifies those by whom the good and truth of faith could primarily be received, is evident from the representation of “Ephron,” and also from the signification of the “sons of Heth,” as being those with whom the truth and good of faith could be received, and with whom there could be a new church (see n. 2913, 2933); and from the signification of “the midst” or “in the midst,” as being what is primary, or principal, and also inmost (see n. 1074). That “the midst” in the internal sense signifies what is primary or principal, and also inmost, is from representatives in the other life; for when any good is represented by spiritual ideas, then what is best is presented in the midst, and what is less and less good is presented successively from the middle outward; and lastly at the circumference are those things which are not good; it is from this that “in the midst” denotes both what is primary or principal and what is inmost. In this manner likewise are represented the ideas of thought, and also affections, and all changes of state; the goods or evils being thus varied according to their situation in respect to the middle. The origin of this is from the form of spiritual and heavenly things, which is such.

1074. That “the midst of a tent” signifies the principal of faith, is evident from the signification of the “midst” and from that of a “tent.” In the Word the “midst” signifies the inmost, and a “tent” charity, or worship from charity. Charity is the inmost, that is, is the principal of faith and of worship, and thus is “the midst of the tent.” (That the “midst” signifies the inmost, has been shown before, and that a “tent” is the holy of love, that is, is charity, may be seen above, n. 414)