Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 3687

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3687. And Esau went to Ishmael, and took Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son. That this signifies the conjunction of this good with truth from a Divine origin, is evident from the representation of Esau, as being the good of the natural (concerning which see above); and from the representation of Ishmael, Abraham's son, as being truth from a Divine origin. That Ishmael represents the Lord's spiritual church, consequently truth, may be seen above (n. 1949-1951, 2078, 2691, 2699, 3268); and that Abraham represents the Lord's Divine called the "Father," see above (n. 2011, 3251, 3439). Hence by "Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael the son of Abraham," is signified truth from a Divine origin. That "taking a wife" signifies to be associated and conjoined, is manifest; and from this it is evident that by "Esau going to Ishmael, and taking Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son," is signified the conjunction of this good with truth from a Divine origin.


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