5421. 'And Joseph saw his brothers, and recognized them' means perception and recognition by the celestial of the spiritual. This is clear from the meaning of 'seeing' as perception, dealt with in 2150, 3764, 4567, 4723; from the representation of 'Joseph' as the celestial of the spiritual, dealt with above in 5417; from the meaning of 'his brothers' as general truths known to the Church, also dealt with above, in 5419; and from the meaning of 'recognizing' as recognition resulting from perception. Regarding this recognition on Joseph's side and the non-recognition on his brother's side, see below in 5422, 5427, 5428.

3764. 'He saw' means perception. This is clear from the meaning of 'seeing' as perceiving, dealt with below at verse 32 of this chapter where Reuben, who was given that name from the word 'seeing', is the subject.